how do you feel about the horse-drawn carriages lugging around fat tourists in Mackinaw Island?

I don't think animals should be used by humans if it can be helped at all. In the case of horse-drawn carriages, horse tours, petting zoos, carnival exhibits, Sea World, etc, it is not a necessity to enslave these animals. We do it simply for profits and kicks. There may have been a time when it was necessary to employ certain animals for certain tasks, but not anymore. Leave them alone and ride a bike for a change.

The only time I get upset about horse-drawn carriages is when either the horse is obviously malnourished, or, the horse spends the majority of its life on paved roads. Paved roads are hard on a horse's hooves and joints.

I also have a problem when a horse spends its life living in a stall. Temporarily stalling a horse is fine, but not long term. In my opinion, the more turnout a horse can have, the healthier and happier he will be.

I do not know about the horse-drawn carriages in Mackinaw Island, so I am not sure of the conditions the horses work in.

I have a few horses myself and they are very well taken care of. They have turnout 24/7 on 25+ acres, access to stalls and loafing sheds, automatic waterers, several ponds, and they are ridden or exercised three to four times a week on soft footing or trails.

Have to do some research as to where that is... but in the case of say, the last place I saw them was in Rome, I didn't really mind... I petted them and said hello... I mean it's the lesser of two evils for me... I don't necessarily think that they should be there, but I love riding horses and always have. But again, that lesser thing. As for the carriges... Spending as much time in New Orleans as I did growing up and then living there for a couple of years as an adult.. They were as much a part of the French Quarter as say, Cafe du monde. I was never really bothered by it to the point of being disgusted with it... I do wish they could be free to run... but I also know as long as they are there... they're not being killed and put to the grinder somewhere else.

It relies upon on the place the marriage is happening, i think of. I attended a ceremony that surpassed off at a rustic club style facility that had the bride getting into in a carriage. It became very elegant and nicely gained. yet once you're going the trip hotel form of course, that is somewhat over the genuine.

I feel sick and sad every single time I see a horse drawn carriage. When I look at the tourists riding in it paying no attention to the horse that is obviously miserable it breaks my heart. Horses should not be trotting on pavement in the middle of traffic so a group of obnoxious tourists can sit on their butts and gawk. Rent a bicycle people - they are more fun and you get the added bonus of some exercise.

(I don't think there are cars on Mackinaw so the traffic part does not apply - but those carriages are in many major cities that do)

Your question reminded me of a funny story... I went to Mackinaw Island as a kid and our horse had lots of gas!! My sister and I couldn't stop laughing during the whole carriage ride... That was one nasty horse!

I really like horses. As a matter of fact, I've never ridden one b/c I think they are very intelligent, noble animals that should not be ridden and should not be beasts of burden.

Having said that, it pains me to think that horses are made to lug anyone around. I don't think God put animals here for our entertainment (Or our food for that matter, but you didn't ask about that...sorry.....I digress).

Any-who. It makes me really sad that they are made to do that and I especially feel bad for them when the tourists pose an even greater (weight) load than normal.

i think that if we have the power to make cars and other transportation we should use it instead of the horse's but all people have different opions, I for one would walk, ride a bike, skate , whatever... but other people would rather have animals pull them.

we cant all be good people so the few of us that are make a difference and they few of majority of us that aren't will have Carma bite them in the *** one day.

Why do you care? I'm sure the horses are well taken care of, the people that own the horses make a living instead of stealing or getting welfare or what ever they have there and the tourists get a nice old fashioned tour of the city

I'm sure other vegans will feel otherwise, but as long as the horses are not whipped or treated poorly I don't see anything wrong with it. That is just my opinion though. I don't know much about it though, do they have to work long hours?