Horse Drawn Carriage: Why Does This Still Exist in The 21st Century?

'Tis the season for a horse drawn carriage ride through the city streets, sipping on some hot cocoa and gazing at the pretty lights, cozied up to your loved one. The idea of a horse drawn carriage has long been romanticized and thought of as one of the most ultimate dates or quality family time. Horse drawn carriages have been around for thousands upon thousands of years, evidence even dating back to the end of the 4th millenium BCE. The first of the chariots are believed to have originated in Mesopotamia and were used for funeral processions, carrying baggage,, and for transport and defense during war times. That all makes sense during those times because trains, planes and automobiles had not yet been invented. (What up, John Candy! R.I.P, man.) The first car was invented in 1672, the first train in 1804 and the first plane in 1903, thus ruling out the practicality need of a carriage. The horse drawn carriage went from being a necessary mode of transportation to being a novelty that puts innocent lives in danger.
I have taken a few carrigae rides in my lifetime and absolutely enjoyed every second of it because I was too young and misinformed to know that the horse actually may not be loving it as much as everyone else involved. Let me tell you a little bit about the day in the life of a carriage horse, the parts that you don't see while you are busy canoodling and poppin' champagne with your boo during your ride. A carriage horse spends up to 9 hours per day, 7 days a week outside in the sweltering heat or the bitter cold. In a busy city the horse often has its nose to the tailpipe of an automobile, resulting in lifelong respiratory problems. Many of the horses used in the carriage industry come from racetracks or Amish farms where they are no longer wanted because of arthritis or an injury. Imagine having to pull around a heavy vehicle equipped with several people at a time all while having arthritis. Doesn't sound too ideal, eh? Their career usually lasts about only 4 years, and when they are no longer needed they are often sent to an auction, where it is popular for "Killer Buyers" to purchase the horse for their slaughterhouse. Apparently horse meat has become quite the delicacy.
Some may argue that horses have been doing this for thousands of years so they must be adapted to the conditions of the carriage life, right? Well, I can't speak for that but even if that is the case, it doesn't mean that it's morally right. See, a horse's senses are actually far superior to those of a humans, especially with the sight. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal and their eyes are lateral, meaning they are positioned on the sides of their head, giving them more than a 350 degree view of their surroundings. Ever wonder why a carriage horse wears those blinders? It's because they can see EVERYTHING all of the time, and in a heavy populated city street, the horse could easily be startled by everything that's going on around them. Their hearing is also excellent due to the "pinna" of each ear, which allows for 360 degree hearing without having to move the head. Again, in a busy city street, there is heavy potential for a horse to be startled with all of the noises going on every second of the day.
Many cities around the world have outlawed carriage horses including Beijing, Biloxi, Miss., Camden, N.J., Key West, London, Panama City, Santa Fe and Toronto. In 2009 an animal welfare group proposed a carriage ban to city officials after a driver crashed a horse drawn carriage into a minivan on the Roebling Suspension Bridge and an escaped carriage horse ran terrified through Hyde Park before being captured. The groups argued that, "Accidents involving these slow-moving conveyances have caused serious injuries and fatalities to horses, drivers, passengers, onlookers and motorists in many cities. At 1,200-1,500 pounds, carriage horses are unpredictable, unwitting weapons. As prey animals, they are very fearful and spook easily." City officials have not yet responded to the letter.
I can see the reasons why a city would not want to ban this industry. It generates tourism and jobs, all of which are profitable. However, I see no reason why we cannot all come to terms with the fact that, in the 21st century, an outdated industry that seems to serve just as much harm as good has got to go. Let's create other jobs for these drivers and let the horses be free, as they are meant to be.