Most animal activists would agree that horses shouldn't pull vehicles or carry riders. But one of the most contentious issues questioned by both horse lovers and activists is the carriage trade that still exists in many cities and tourist areas.

A carriage horse in New York City.
Photo Getty Images

I was surprised when I last visited Niagara Falls , to see two carriages pulling passengers along the busy roadway that follows the edge of the gorge, and one in a garden area. I felt one of the horses looked a little too lean and immediately questioned the effect of pounding up on down pavement on draft horses that tend to be prone to joint problems anyway.  The sight of these animals slowly navigating the busy traffic in the terrific heat, did not enhance my experience of our favorite weekend getaway place. In some places horses are driven on busy city streets in driving snow and other adverse weather when most of us would like our horses tucked in snug stables or run-in sheds.

I also don't think motor vehicles and horses are a good mix.   It's unfortunate that so often when I read my news feeds, that most of the fatalities of riders or horse drawn vehicle passenger that occur involve clashes with motor vehicles. Even though, most commonly draft breeds are used, who normally have very laid back temperaments, they are still horses with a strong flight response. What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Did you have your horse vaccinated this past spring?

Photo 2006 Gabor Bibor

You may be glad you did. Late summer is the time when I begin to see more news about horses being affected by diseases like West Nile Virus and Equine Infectious Anemia. Recently West Nile killed a horse in Navajo County, Arizona and in Michigan three horses have been confirmed to have EIA. If you haven't looked after this important aspect of horse ownership, now is the time to talk to your veterinarian about a schedule for vaccinating your horses.

You may choose to vaccinate against:

• Equine Western, Eastern and Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis
• West Nile Virus
• Rabies