Accidents
They are happening all of the time.
Incidents and Accidents
We have compiled a list of accidents and other incidents to show the extent of the harm from the horse-drawn carriages industry. Data becomes more robust in recent years as reporting incidents with horse-drawn carriages was not a priority for many municipalities in the past. Our work is changing that.
Links to articles appear when possible — Links are underlined.
This list is not comprehensive and should not be used for legal purposes.
2023
Hopkinsville, KY, - DECEMBER 21, 2023
Driver rams horse-drawn carriage, arrested
A Hopkinsville man ran into a horse-drawn carriage that was participating in a Christmas event at Auburn School.
New York City, NY, - November 26, 2023
Horse drags driver down NYC street, hits 4 cars: NYPD
A horse dragged its carriage driver after becoming agitated in Manhattan on Sunday, according to police.
New York City, NY, – October 10, 2023
Carriage horse accident in Midtown sparks another animal rights skirmish
A carriage horse turned heads in Midtown on Tuesday night when he broke loose from his handlers, ran down the street and crashed into a parked car
New York City, NY, August 17, 2023
NYC carriage horse dies of colic in Midtown stable, reigniting controversy
A New York City carriage horse died earlier this week at a Midtown stable, reigniting controversy between activists who deem the industry abusive…
Charleston, SC, August 17, 2023
2 passengers on Charleston horse-drawn carriage tour injured in vehicle collision
Two passengers aboard a horse-drawn carriage touring the historic Charleston peninsula were injured Aug. 17 after the horse was startled and the carriage broke loose, colliding with a vehicle, according to local police.
Atlanta, GA, – August 14, 2023
Advocates demand action after horse pulling tourist carriage collapses in viral video
A video which has gone viral shows the collapse of a horse used in a downtown Atlanta tourist business.
Eden Township, PA, August 6, 2023
Lancaster County Amish couple killed in buggy, truck accident
New York City, NY, – July 13, 2023
A 1,500lb. prey animal. Spooked. Dangerous. Uncontrollable.
A Lancaster County Amish couple has died after an accident involving a truck and a horse and buggy on Sunday, Aug. 6 in Eden Township.
Mackinac Island, MI, June 18, 2023
2022
NYC, New York – August 10, 2022
Carriage horse collapses in Hell’s Kitchen, renewing calls for reform
A carriage horse collapsed onto a Manhattan street on Wednesday evening, drawing a crowd of spectators and a team of police officers who hosed it off with water before getting it back on its feet.
Rome, Italy – August 01, 2022
Rome: Horse collapses in front of Trevi Fountain
A carriage horse collapsed in front of tourists at Rome’s Trevi Fountain on Saturday night, amid claims by two American activists that the animal fell to the ground due to being “exhausted from the heat”.
Majorca, Spain – July 23, 2022
Terrifying moment horse collapses while pulling carriage of tourists in 40C heat
A shocking video shows the horrifying moment a horses collapsed while pulling a carriage in 40C heat.
New York City, NY – June 14, 2022
NYC carriage horse slams into cars, renews calls to ban the practice
A spooked carriage horse in Central Park galloped the wrong way into oncoming traffic and crashed into two cars — renewing calls for the “cruel” practice to be banned in the Big Apple.
Charleston, SC – April 19, 2022
Horse carriage jackknifes during downtown incident
An incident involving a horse carriage in downtown Charleston last week is raising safety concerns for passengers and traffic..
New Orleans, LA – February 23, 2022
Woman falls from horse-drawn carriage at head of Druids parade, taken to hospital
A woman fell from a horse-drawn carriage Wednesday night in the Krewe of Druids parade and was taken to the hospital, emergency officials said.
New York, NY – February 22, 2022
Updated: Horse-Drawn Carriage and DOT Car Have ‘Fender Bender’ (If That’s Possible) Near Tavern on the Green
A horse-drawn carriage allegedly sideswiped a parked Department of Transportation (DOT) car on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. in Central Park, an eyewitness, who prefers to remain anonymous, first reported.
2021
Gujarat, Panchmahal district, India – December 15, 2021
SHOCKING! Horse carriage with groom catches fire during wedding – WATCH to know what happened next
As the horse carriage was advancing towards the wedding venue, the ‘baraatis’ were dancing and bursting firecrackers.
Tewksbury, MA – December 12, 2021
Man seriously injured after falling off horse-drawn carriage at Tewksbury farm
A 74-year-old man is feared to have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury after he fell off a horse-drawn carriage at a farm in Massachusetts, according to police.
Niagara Falls, NY – December 4, 2021
Cheektowaga child run over by horse-drawn carriage in Falls
A 5-year-old Cheektowaga boy fell out of a horse-drawn carriage Saturday in Niagara Falls and was run over by the carriage’s rear wheel.
Stacyville, Maine – November 16, 2021
Car crashes into horse-drawn buggy in Stacyville
Four people were ejected from a horse-drawn buggy after a driver rear-ended the cart on Station Road Tuesday night.
Mitchell, IN – November 1, 2021
Two injured after truck collides with Amish buggy on State Road 60 East
Two were left injured Monday morning after a truck rear-ended an Amish buggy on State Road 60 East in Mitchell near Spring Mill State Park.
Eden Township, OH – November 1, 2021
Person, horse injured in Licking County hit-skip crash involving buggy
A person and a horse were injured after a vehicle hit a buggy in Eden Township, Licking County, Monday night.
Ashland County, OH – October 27, 2021
Ashland County authorities looking for driver who crashed into Amish buggy, left scene
Authorities in Ashland County are trying to identify a driver who crashed into an Amish buggy on Wednesday night and then fled the scene.
St. Louis, MO – October 23, 2021
St. Louis carriage company owner talks after suspect ‘rammed’ carriage downtown
The St. Louis Carriage Company said their horse and driver are alright after being “rammed” by a truck downtown over the weekend.
Shippensburg, PA – October 22, 2021
State Police investigating horse and buggy crash in Shippensburg
Pa. State Police are investigating a crash involving a car and horse and buggy Friday morning on the 3100 block of Orrstown Road.
Gladwin Township, MI – October 18, 2021
Horse drawn carriage involved in serious accident
The Gladwin County Sheriffs Office responded to a vehicle crash on Wagarville Road near the intersection of M-18 in Gladwin Township at 8:02 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 18.
Jericho Springs, MO – October 16, 2021
Horse-drawn buggy rear-ended, teen driver helicoptered to hospital; Investigators seeking red GMC who fled crash
Last Saturday evening a horse-drawn buggy was rear ended by a red GMC 1500 in a hit and run crash, north of Jericho Springs, Missouri.
Tarlton, OH – October 5, 2021
Update: Crash Involving Horse and Buggy Vs Car Several Injured
According to early reports, a vehicle crash into a buggy has injured an entire family around 3 pm on Tuesday. The wreck occurred on Tarlton Adelphi and Spangler road in Saltcreek Township. Reports of one juvenile that has lost consciousness after the crash.
New York City, NY – September 23, 2021
Carriage horse suffers bloody injury after crashing into car in NYC
A carriage horse suffered a bloody injury Thursday when it crashed into the back of a BMW sedan in Midtown, according to police.
Gorham, NY – August 25, 2021
Two hurt in vehicle/buggy crash
Ontario County deputies responded to a reported hit-and-run crash involving a horse-drawn buggy Wednesday afternoon on Route 245.
Alcudia, Spain – August 24, 2021
New call for an end to horse carriages following Alcudia accident
On Tuesday last week, there was a slight collision between a bus and a horse and carriage in Alcudia. The bus clipped the back of the buggy. The jolt was enough to startle and panic the horse, which fell to the ground and suffered what were described as minor injuries.
Penn Yan, NY – July 21, 2021
Two Airlifted After Car Strikes Horse and Buggy Outside of Penn Yan
Sheriff Ron Spike tells us Ivan and Ella Horning suffered serious internal injuries and fractures. A Penn Yan couple was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital Wednesday afternoon after the horse and buggy they were traveling in was struck from behind by a car.
Mackinac Island, MI – June 26, 2021
Spooked Horse Team Slams into Statue
Charleston, SC – June 19, 2021
Spooked Horse Team that Slammed into Statue
Florence, Italy,- June 14, 2021
Horse-drawn carriage hits minister’s car in Florence
A tourist horse-drawn carriage hit visiting Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese’s car in Florence after the animal took fright and bolted on Monday afternoon.
Waxhaw, NC – April 3, 2021
GRAPHIC: Horse, woman recovering after vicious dog attacks horse-drawn carriage in Union County
A woman and horse are recovering after a vicious dog attacked a horse-drawn carriage ride in Union County last weekend.
Maxatawny Township, PA – March 25, 2021
Horse-drawn buggy flips in accident on Route 222 in northeastern Berks
A horse-drawn buggy overturned on its roof after colliding with a truck cab on Route 222 at the entrance to Arby’s restaurant in Maxatawny Township, Berks County emergency officials said Thursday.
Williamsburg, VA – March 5, 2021
This headline could’ve been written 250 years ago: Carriage accident in Williamsburg
Spooked horses led to a crash off Duke of Gloucester Street that left a carriage heavily damaged but no one seriously injured.
Now, there’s a sentence that could’ve been written centuries ago.
Brooklyn, NY – February 2021
NYPD horses break loose, run free through Brooklyn
A pair of cops lost control of their steeds in Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon, police said.
The horse chase happened just before 12:30 p.m. when the officers climbed down from their saddles because one had a minor medical issue while riding in Midwood, police said.
Pasadena, CA – February 2021
Two Injured When Horse-Drawn Carriage Tips Over To Its Side
Two people suffered minor injuries when the horse-drawn carriage they were riding in somehow tipped over, landing on its side during a funeral procession Saturday in Pasadena.
Mayari, Cuba – January 2021
Mayari’s Potholes and Horse-Drawn Carriages
There’s been a new accident here in Mayari involving public transport in recent days: a horse-drawn wagon. It is already the third one of such severity in less than three months, the result of the poor state the city’s streets, especially the main roads which public transport circulate upon.
2020
Frankenmuth, Michigan – December 2020
Man arrested after hit-and-run crash with horse-drawn carriage in Frankenmuth
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash involving a horse-drawn carriage over the weekend in Frankenmuth.
Virginia Beach, Virginia – November 2020
Employee fired, 3 injured after horse-drawn carriage struck by vehicle in Virginia Beach crash
One person was fired and three people were sent to the hospital after a horse-drawn carriage was involved in a crash overnight in Virginia Beach.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – September 2020
Oklahoma City firefighters lead team effort in rescuing Belgian Draft horse used for carriage rides in Bricktown
Oklahoma City firefighters led a team effort when they helped rescue a Belgian Draft horse who fell Friday evening while he was being taken to downtown Oklahoma City to pull carriages.
Crawford County, Pennsylvania – July 2020
Amish Buggy hit-and-run Leaves Spartansburg Residents Feeling Uneasy.
Four occupants of a horse-drawn Amish buggy were were injured after a hit and run crash involving the buggy and an SUV in Crawford County Sunday.
UK – January 2020
Horse filmed smashing into central reservation after being forced to race along A-road.
DISTRESSING CONTENT: A video circulating on social media shows two horses being raced along a busy A-road followed by 4×4 vehicles, with one of the animals crashing into the central reservation
2019
Melbourne, Australia – December 2019
Carriage driver kicks horse in head, calls it ‘lazy’ after it collapses on street, witness says
A video of a frustrated Melbourne, Australia carriage driver kicking a horse and yelling at it to get up has viewers across the internet outraged.
Norman, Oklahoma – October 2019
Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner Crashes On Field In Terrifying Scene
After the Sooners’ latest touchdown, the Sooner Scooner went out for its customary stroll. The celebration took a scare turn when the horses leading the Sooner Schooner cut on too much of an angle. As a result, the wagon flipped over and the passengers were sent tumbling to the ground.
Rome, Italy – October 2019
Horse collapses near Rome’s Spanish Steps
One of Rome’s ‘botticelle’ horses collapsed on Via dei Condotti, the exclusive shopping street near the Spanish Steps, on the morning of 17 October, reigniting the debate about why the animals are still in operation around the city.
Clinton, Maine – August 12, 2019
4 injured, 1 critically, after horse-drawn carriage crash in Maine
Maine police say four people were injured when a horse-drawn wagon struck a vehicle and a telephone pole.
Officer Phil DiLuca of the Clinton Police Department says the “freak accident” happened Sunday when a loud noise spooked the two horses, causing the driver to lose control.
Cincinnati, Ohio – August 09, 2019
Wrong-way driver hits horse-drawn carriage, flees scene
A wrong-way driver hit a horse-drawn carriage late Thursday night in Cincinnati’s West End neighborhood, police said.
Izamal, Yucatan, Mexico – July 17, 2019
Se desploma un caballo en Izamal, el segundo en menos de una semana
En menos de una semana, un nuevo desplome de un caballo de calesa aconteció en Izamal. Los hechos ocurrieron a las 11 de la mañana, ante la mirada desesperada de varios turistas nacionales.
Charleston, SC – July 12, 2019
City says Charleston carriage horse fell during tour, has no ‘significant injuries’
A carriage horse suffered minor injuries after tripping and falling during a tour in downtown Charleston Friday morning, city officials said.
Izamal, Yucatan, Mexico – July 12, 2019
Se desploma caballo que jalaba una calesa en Izamal, ante turistas y vecinos
El hecho ocurrió ayer en la tarde, a un costado del parque Zamná, donde habían numerosos vecinos y turistas nacionales, así como algunos extranjeros, quienes presenciaron el triste espectáculo.
Merida, Yucatán, México – June 25, 2019
Carriage horse falls in busy hotel zone intersection
A carriage horse is OK after being apparently hit by a dump truck outside the Hyatt Regency hotel, said UADY veterinarians.
Cardiff, Wales – May 2019
Two men have been arrested after a horse collapsed on a main street in Cardiff city centre.
The men, aged 21 and 25, are in custody after being arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia – May 2019
Lunenburg RCMP are investigating a collision where a horse ran into a business window on Montague St. in Lunenburg.
It is believed that the horse became spooked and took off running with passengers on board, first striking a parked vehicle and eventually crashing into a glass window at a local business.
Kansas City – April 2019
Witness describes accident involving horse-drawn carriage
A witness describes what she saw after an accident involving a horse-drawn carriage on the County Club Plaza.
Savannah, GA – April 2019
Horse-drawn carriage incident called minor but groups react anyway
Animal Advocates are speaking out again regarding horse-drawn carriages in downtown Savannah after an issue with a carriage Monday night.
Manila, Philippines – April 2019
A horse made to pull tourists in a carriage in temperatures of more than 30°C has been photographed after collapsing to the floor with exhaustion.
Witnesses came to throw water on the visibly underweight animal as it held up traffic after its legs buckled and it fell in the middle of the road.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada – February 2019
Savannah, GA – February 2019
Horse carriage crash injures 7 in Savannah. Should the city end the rides? Vote in our poll
Witnesses said the horse became spooked by loud noises in downtown Savannah, leading to a crash that injured several.
2018
Asheville, NC – December 2018
Wagon driver injured after horses run away in South Asheville
A woman was sent to the hospital after a pair horses pulling her covered wagon reportedly became spooked and ran away along a busy road in South Asheville.
Hot Springs, AR – December 2018
Hit & Run of Horse Drawn Carriage Injures 1 in Hot Springs
A Lafayette County woman is recovering after being injured this past weekend when a hit and run driver struck a horse drawn carriage she was riding on in downtown Hot Springs.
O’Fallon, MO – November 2018
Debate over horse-drawn carriage rides comes to the forefront in O’Fallon MO
Austin Kirk, the General Manager of Brookdale Farms, says a horse named Thor ran into problems two times trying to pull a carriage filled with 12 people up a hill.
Dublin Ireland – October 2018
Man hospitalised after horse and carriage collides with car in Dublin city centre in early hours of the morning
The horse was startled following the incident and bolted for 100 metres.
NYC, NY – October 2018
‘Terrified’ Carriage Horse Falls In Columbus Circle
Charleston A carriage horse fell on its side just south of Central Park on Tuesday morning, eliciting dueling statements about carriage horses’ welfare—and future in New York City.
Charleston, SC – September 2018
CPD responds to horse carriage accident
Charleston Police say a horse pulling a carriage got spooked and the driver and a passenger were thrown off the carriage.
Valletta, Malta – August 2018
Horse-Drawn Carriage Overturns In Valletta As Horse ‘Slips’
A horse-drawn carriage has overturned in Valletta after the horse pulling the carriage “slipped” for an unknown reason, police have said. At around 5:30 Monday evening, the carriage ended up hanging off of the barrier as the horse lay on the floor, before getting back up, apparently unharmed, according to the police.
Victoria, British Columbia – August 2018
Horses from Victoria Carriage Tours involved in second incident in three months
Witnesses: Horses veered into a parked vehicle, smashing windows, climbing onto roof with front hooves
Edmonton, Alberta – August 2018
Horse-drawn wagon overturns at Fort Edmonton Park, six injured
Six people were taken to hospital after a horse-drawn wagon overturned at Fort Edmonton Park Wednesday. The people inside the wagon were ejected. One of the adults is in serious condition and the other five are in stable condition, EMS said.
Drummondville, Québec – August 2018
Un cheval s’effondre en plein Village Québécois d’Antan
Un cheval qui tire des carrioles au Village Québécois d’Antan de Drummondville a subi un coup de chaleur et s’est effondré lundi devant de nombreux visiteurs.
Pieta, Malta – August 2018
Horse pulling carriage collapses in sweltering heat
Drivers and commuters could only watch in despair as a horse pulling a carriage collapsed in the sweltering heat in Pieta on Saturday afternoon.
Round Lake, Saskatchewan – July 2018
Horse-drawn carriage with 18 youth onboard crashes near Round Lake in Sask.
A wagon carrying 18 youth near Round Lake in Saskatchewan crashed into some trees, injuring some of the children, after the animals were spooked.
New Orleans, LA – July 2018
French Quarter buggy carrying 10 people flips over
A French Quarter buggy carrying 10 people flipped over Friday (July 13), leaving one woman caught underneath the carriage and a mule on the loose…
Memphis, TN – July 2018
Carriage horse runs wild through Downtown, injures at least one person
A horse pulling a carriage ran wild through Downtown on Friday night and injured at least one person…
Fox River Resort, Illinois – July 2018
Eight injured in carriage accident after horses are spooked
After a horse-drawn wagon accident at Fox River Resort at Norway, several people, ranging from 1 year old to 30 and older, were transported to local hospitals, according to La Salle County Sheriff’s Office.
England – June 2018
Horror as spooked horse ‘bolts through glass window’ in Ascot
A horse crashed through the window of a clothing shop in Ascot today, just a short walk away from the racecourse.
Memphis – May 2018
Shots fired at horse drawn carriage in Downtown Memphis
Memphis Police are investigating the assault of a horse carriage driver that resulted in gun shots in the middle of a traffic on Front Street Saturday night.
England – May 2018
Hunt for owners of horse left bleeding in the road after head-on collision with a car
The animal welfare charity is now appealing for the public’s help in tracing those believed to be the animal’s owners, after they left the injured horse at the scene.
Abilene, TX – May 2018
State Sen. Dawn Buckingham escapes injury in runaway horse carriage
A carriage driver was injured after a motorcycle reportedly startled horses pulling the carriage, causing them to run off the road.
Victoria, BC – May 2018
Horses collapse at Ogden Point “It was shocking and traumatic” says witness.
“A horse pulling the trolley dropped dead or at least looked like it at the stop sign of Dallas and the cruise terminal roadway. The horse was not moving lying on it’s side when it then pulled the horse it was attached to down too. It was shocking and traumatic. I only looked for about 30 seconds and thought I would be sick.”
View the video (disturbing)
Charleston, SC – May 2018
Horse slips and falls pulling carriage in downtown Charleston
Lucy, a 10 year old horse with Palmetto Carriage Co., slipped and fell about 4:30 p.m. while pulling a carriage at Rutledge & Wentworth.
Marrakech, Morocco – April 2018
Carriage Horse Badly Injured After Crashing into Car in Marrakech
After a fight occurred between two horses, one of them nervously moved toward a passing car, according to Hassan, a member of an association of horse-drawn carriages in Marrakech.
Istanbul, Turkey – April 2018
Anger sparked again after horse on Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands collapses
After a fight occurred between two horses, one of them nervously moved toward a passing car, according to Hassan, a member of an association of horse-drawn carriages in Marrakech.
Sevilla, Spain – April 2018
Horse dies while others collapse from exhaustion at Feria de Abril de Sevilla in Andalucia
A SICK horse has died while many others have collapsed at the Feria de Abril in Sevilla this week — Video of the incident
Dunloe Pass, Ireland – April 2018
American couple killed after horse-drawn carriage crashes in Ireland
An American couple riding in a horse-drawn carriage in Ireland was killed when their pony lost its footing and flung them 20 feet down a rocky ravine.
Charleston, SC – April 2018
Two people injured after delivery truck spooks carriage mule in Charleston
NYC, NY – February 4, 2018
3 Hurt After Spooked Horse Goes Berserk, Hits Cars: NYPD
A horse pulling a carriage near Central Park was spooked by an umbrella and hysterically crashed into three parked cars, police said.
New Orleans, LA – February 2, 2018
Man gets citation for beating frightened horse during parade
A man caught on camera hitting and kicking a horse before a parade in New Orleans has been issued a citation for animal cruelty, animal rights advocates said Tuesday.
San Antonio, TX – January 2018
Horse-drawn carriage operator killed in Bandera County collision
The operator of a new carriage service in Bandera was killed Tuesday afternoon when an SUV crashed into her horse-drawn vehicle just outside of town, the Texas Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.
Savanah, GA – January 2018
Icy fall leads to change for Savannah’s horse carriage tours
The city of Savannah now prohibits horse carriages from operating in dangerously cold weather, with the recent passage of an amendment to the ordinance regulating the industry.
2014
DALLAS, TX – December 2018
Wild Carriage Ride For Passengers After Horse Is Spooked
What was supposed to be a pleasant horse-drawn carriage ride through Highland Park became a terrifying ordeal for the horse and the people onboard.