Conditions of use of licensed equines.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-1-44
in effectSec. 6-1-44. - Conditions of use of licensed equines.
A. A licensed equine shall not be worked under any of the following conditions:
1. Pulling a carriage at a speed faster than a slow trot;
2. Pulling a carriage at top speed for more than 30 minutes;
3. With equipment causing an impairment of vision other than normal blinders;
4. Any condition which will impair the good health and physical condition of the animal or that subjects the animal to cruel or harassing treatment.
5. Pulling a carriage that has music or other amplified sound played above 85 dB, or at any level below that which causes the animal distress.
6. Pulling a carriage on a public highway, path or street during conditions which are determined by the director of animal services or their designee to pose a threat to the health, safety or well-being of the equine, passengers, or general public.
7. If conditions develop while an equine is being worked, said equine shall be returned without delay to the stable by the most direct route and, if the threat posed is an immediate one, then the return of the equine to the stable shall be by equine trailer.
B. Shifts.
1. Holders and drivers shall ensure that any licensed equine does not work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period as reflected by pulling fares in the logbook. Carriages may be in service for up to ten hours so long as no more than eight of the ten hours are active pulling fares. An equine must have at least a 14 continuous hour rest period within each 24 hour period. Equines shall be considered as working if the equine is pulling a carriage that is being presented to the public as a carriage for hire.
2. Certificate holders and drivers shall provide equines a minimum ten minute rest period between fares in excess of one hour. Certificate holders and drivers shall provide equines a reasonable rest period between fares less than one hour.
3. Certificate holders shall keep a current log in each stable showing each equine's use. A certificate holder shall keep on the premises of the stable where the licensed equines are kept a consecutive daily record of the movements of each licensed equine, including driver's name and identification number, equine's identification number, vehicle identification tag number, and a daily manifest on each equine. Such records shall be made available, at any reasonable time, for inspection by the director of animal services or his or her designee.
4. If a licensed equine must return to the stables due to inclement weather or equipment replacement, it may return to operation to complete the same shift but may not extend that shift beyond ten hours from the start of the shift.
C. Weather.
1. Certificate holders shall check the temperature for the City of Memphis every 30 minutes while they have carriages in service and document in the daily record for horses in service that day. This verification shall be done by using a reputable weather website. If the temperature is at or above 95° Fahrenheit or at or below 32° Fahrenheit, animals may not be put into service and shall not be outside of the barns or stables.
2. All certificate holders and drivers shall work their horses only when safe weather conditions exist. Special attention and discretion should be used during periods of snow, ice, heavy rain, high humidity, or extreme wind chill. Proper shoes should be used during icy conditions.
3. Should the director of animal services determine that special circumstances exist which would jeopardize the safety of a licensed equine, such as a significant weather event or other environmental problems, the director may order the temporary suspension of the operation of all horse-drawn carriages for hire until such time as the special circumstances no longer exist.
(Code 1985, § 39-142; Ord. No. 4227, § 1, 11-2-1993)
Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6BULIRE_CH6-1HOAWCA_S6-1-44COUSLIEQFetched: 10/28/2026