SAN ANTONIO — On Wednesday, the possibility of phasing out horse-drawn carriages in San Antonio could be one step closer to becoming a reality.
In December 2022, councilmember Jalen McKee Rodriguez of district 2, and councilmember Phyllis Viagran of district 3, co-authored a Council Consideration Request (CCR) asking city staff to establish a plan to phase out horse drawn carriages in San Antonio.
The CCR called the use of horses in horse drawn carriages "an inhumane, cruel means of travel in San Antonio."
Stephanie Garcia, who owns Yellow Rose and HRH Carriages argues her company treats their horses ethically.
"These horses couldn't be more humanely looked after than they are. They have better health care than most people," she said. "They have dentists, they have vets. They're very well cared for, very well looked after, watered after every ride, diaper bags changed after every time they use them. So I just don't understand where they're heading with this new direction that they're going ahead with."
Garcia explains she owns 22 horses, all of them are kept at her pasture in Pleasanton. By law, only five are allowed to work per company at a time, and she says only those five horses are transported to San Antonio and the horses are rotated out.
"We are actually the most regulated industry, more or less in the States," Garcia said. "San Antonio led the way with the ordinance that they actually developed. We're not allowed to work when the temperature is above 95. We wouldn't do any way. We don't work when it's cold. We get inspected every year by the city, vets, we have ACS out. We also have to get our own vet inspection certificates twice a year. "
At 10 a.m., on Wednesday, the Governance committee will discuss the CCR, and decide whether or not they will refer it to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Ahead of the briefing, Councilman Jalen McKee Rodriguez released the following statement:
"Many people appreciate, if not romanticize, the idea of horse drawn carriages in San Antonio but the reality is that they don't belong downtown in city streets. Our days are getting hotter, construction and traffic are getting worse, and the conditions that once made downtown a destination for horse-drawn carriages no longer exist.
The intent of this CCR has always been a dialogue on whether or not carriages should continue to operate as they do today and to prepare for a future where there are other novel alternatives and experiences to transition the industry toward.
I look forward to the discussion that will take place at governance tomorrow and am eager for this years-in-the-making conversation to happen."