(Editor’s note: I know we have carriage drivers in our audience. I’d love your response.)
I wish the horse-drawn carriages would go away. I work in the hospitality industry and the majority of our guests ask first-off how to “get on one of those carriages.” I cringe. Of course, I politely explain to them where to go to be herded onto one, but I am screaming on the inside, “WHY?” I mean, it’s really one of the most unoriginal experiences they can have and I am quick to offer other suggestions (“Oh, I know a wonderful walking tour you must take—you will get the true flavor of Charleston with this guy!”) Alas, to no avail. Off they go, down to Market Street, to be accosted by the first carriage company that spots them. I hear the parade of hoof beats throughout my day—a nice sound, mind you, but just in the wrong context.
I curse them as I try to make my way to Harris Teeter and back. “Why can’t they pull over now?” (Yes, I am a bit of a high-strung driver, but who among you has this not irritated?) Worse than my inconvenience or the tourist’s lack of imagination, though, is the potential for terrible accidents and the unfortunate treatment of animals who, given the choice, I’m certain, would rather be grazing in a nice field somewhere.
I witnessed an accident on the corner of South Battery and Meeting Street last year. A horse was spooked as it was making the turn, and wound up jack-knifing the carriage as it spilled its twenty or so riders onto the street. The horse got loose and took off down Meeting—it was really agitated now. We ran to help people out from under the weighty carriage and seat them safely on the sidewalk. It was hot that day. The riders were shaking, bleeding and some even crying, but all sweating. This was, obviously, neither the first nor the last accident, either. I fear it is just a matter of time before an equine or human loses their life.
There was an article in The Post and Courier last week concerning the inspections of all the carriage companies. The list of offenses made me sad. No matter your opinion, no one can argue that it is inhumane not to feed the animals sufficient amounts of hay or to make them stand in wet stalls that are too small for the horses to even turn around in.
Could it be time for a change in our fair city? I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to pass legislation to finally outlaw the carriages. I realize it is a highly unlikely outcome, as the horse and carriage has become a charming symbol that is, seemingly, inextricably tied to Charleston. As a community, though, it is time to admit that it is a question of responsibility. Well, at the very least, it would be hip and progressive of us to ban the antiquated tradition of carriage tours—what a great headline.
