12/06/2026
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A historic win for animals in Spain.
Málaga has banned tourist horse-drawn carriages, starting in October 2025. Animal protection advocates pushed for this change for years, and the city chose animal welfare over tradition.
The original plan was to phase them out by 2035. The mayor moved the deadline up because the harm was happening now. Horses had to work in 45°C heat, walk long distances to get to work, and pull heavy carriages through busy streets for hours every day. That daily suffering has ended.
The city also supported the people affected. Carriage owners will receive compensation of up to €120,000 per license.
Horse-drawn carriages can still be used during Málaga’s August fair, but the everyday tourist trade is over. Málaga is now the second major Spanish city to take this step, after Barcelona’s ban in 2017.
What do you think about this decision? Should more cities do the same? Share your thoughts in the comments, and share this story if you want to help spread the change.