And, she noted, many are eventually retired to pasture. One of the largest and most publicly known equine industries is racing. Strict regulations have spared the racing industry from being a target for welfare groups in recent times. Issues disputed are science related. Animal welfare concerns do not always stem from man-made situations.
Disasters can be man-made or natural.
Dr. Madigan was part of the immense rescue effort after Hurricane Floyd in 1999. As we enter the 21st century, changing societal concerns about animals will continue to evolve our ethic for animals. For city dwellers, carriage horses are one personification of equine welfare concerns. To many people, the ethical treatment of carriage horses will override the quaintness of seeing a horse and carriage in a city environment, Dr. Merriam said.