In the photo Farrier, Michael Savage, Marilyn Johnson M.O.T and Insp. Thurston B.H.S.
The Hackney Cab Board is a group appointed by the Cabinet to oversea the Surreyhorse industry. The horses and carriages are inspected the first Thursday in every month, because of complaints about these horse drawn carriages, the Hackney Cab board decided to do a full assessment of this industry. The Bahamas Humane Society along with The Cab board’s veterinarian was requested to do an assessment of the horses and stables. The Ministry of Tourism a business plan, training and funds to assist with upcoming project. Road Traffic department law inforcement and training, The Police Force, Law inforcement. The Hackney Cab board has come up with a three months plan of action to get this industry up to standard, the first is deal with the animals, stables and then Operators. The first stage of the plan got started on the 19th July, we brought in a Farrier to train local farriers
how to properly take care and shoe the horses feet.
This is so good to see! Im glad something is finally being done about the treatment of those horses. Good job guys!
Excellent that professional farriery training is taking place. Keep up the great work.
This is such a good thing to do and will increase the quality of the tourism industry.
Something has to be done. It’s heartbreaking to watch and will be the main reason I don’t return until I hear a major change has been made. One underweight horse we saw near the marketplace had such an ill-fitting bridle and his tongue was infected. Broke my heart.
Hi Kimberly
The BHS is trying hard to get Government to introduce a central stable system where we know the
horses would be properly looked after with the right staffing. Because right now most stable are no
place for horses to go after a hard days work.
I took a cruise on the Royal Carribean, Enchantment of the Seas from January 7 to January 16 2012 and we made a stop at Nassau, Bahamas.
I was very upset by the condition of the carriage horses that were used to pull carriages for tourist. At least 3 horses had ribs that were showing and their coat was dry and scruffy looking. In my opinion there is no reason for this type of condition in horses. I have seen the carriage horses in New York and they are not emaciated looking as the ones I saw in Nassau. I am a horse owner and have a degree in Animal Science and am very well aware of what the physical condition of a horse should be. A horse should have a shiny coat and the ribs should be felt only when you pass your hand over their sides. The ribs should not be seen when looking at the horse.
I would like to know what the government of the Bahamas is planning to do about the poor condition of these horses. These horses need to be fed more. It is obvious that a veterinarian has not seen these horses. These horses need to pass a physical before they are made to pull carriages. This is a total disgrace to the Tourism Industry of the Bahamas and action needs to be taken. Please contact me about this situation. I am sure that the government of the Bahamas does not want tourist to be pulled by horses or any other animal that are not receiving basic food and health care.
I am contacting Royal Carribean and the Bahama Ministry of Tourism today (January 18, 2012) about this situation. There just is no excuse for this.