Horses, Carriages and Equipment

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County tit. 12, ch. 12.54, art. III

in effect

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 12.54.240 Requirements for horses in service.

12.54.240 - Requirements for horses in service. A. Before any horse may be used in a horse-drawn carriage business, the permittee must furnish the MTLC staff with: 1. A state certificate of veterinarian inspection identifying the horse by description and with front, rear, right and left photographs and showing that the horse has been examined at least once within the preceding six months by a veterinarian licensed by the state; 2. Proof that the animal has had tetanus, rabies, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, West Nile Virus, Potomac Horse Fever and Eastern-Western encephalitis vaccinations; 3. A negative Coggins test result; and 4. Close-up photographs or drawings showing identifying markings of the horse. 5. Any documents the commission director deems necessary. B. A permittee with an animal used in a horse drawn carriage must adhere to the following regulations and conditions: 1. Be appropriately shod and trimmed, and shall utilize rubber-coated pads or boots or open steel barium tip shoes, or other shoes approved by a veterinarian or by commission rule. If a horse loses a shoe while working, an "easy" type boot may be used to finish the scheduled workday; 2. Be inspected and maintained by a farrier at least every eight weeks, or as necessary. Records must be kept by the owner in the carriage of the dates and the name of the farrier who shod the animal. Such records are subject to inspection by the commission director and MTLC staff; 3. Not have any open or bleeding wound, oozing sore, or cut below skin level; 4. Not have evidence of lameness; 5. Have all harnesses properly fitted and in good repair with no deficiencies that create a safety hazard; 6. Be properly cleaned with no offensive odors or caked dirt or mud; 7. Wear a special sanitary device properly fitted for containing animal excrement; 8. Flies and other insects must be controlled through general sanitation and other necessary means; 9. Animals shall not pull more than three times their current weight in load, where the load weight totals all equipment, carriage driver, passengers and other carriage contents; 10. Animals weighing at least one thousand, four hundred pounds can pull six passengers. For this section, a passenger is defined as an adult weighing more than one hundred pounds; 11. Not have obvious signs of emaciation, malnutrition, or exhaustion and meets standards established through the Tennessee livestock welfare laws; 12. All harnesses, bridles and bits and any other equipment shall be properly fitted and kept in good repair. Blankets, bridles and bits shall not be used on another animal unless it is first disinfected. Harnesses and bridles shall be kept well-oiled and cleaned and in good repair; 13. Carriages must be kept properly lubricated, and wheels must spin freely and straight; 14. Animals requiring veterinary care shall not be moved, ridden or driven, except for the purpose of humane keeping, pasturing or obtaining medical care; 15. "Free choice" access to water, salt and hay or other forage suitable for equine consumption shall be available to all horses in the stabling and/or assembly/transfer sites or during rest periods; 16. Carriages shall not be pulled by stallions or pregnant mares, nor shall stallions or pregnant mares be brought into any of the stables, assembly/transfer sites or assembly/holding sites; 17. Other equids including mules and donkeys used to pull carriages must meet the same requirements as described for horses; 18. Provisions shall be made to catch or immediately pick up any manure deposited by the carriage horses away from the stable or assembly/transfer sites. The manure shall be returned to the stable or transfer sites for appropriate disposal; 19. Animals shall wear properly attached and fitted blinders while pulling carriages; 20. Owner and handlers shall take immediate measures to prevent or address shivering, overheating and any other emergency medical condition affecting the animal's health; 21. It is the responsibility of owners, drivers, and riders to protect the animal and, when under their control, to ensure that the animal is not left to roam freely and possibly cause harm to the public or itself; 22. Owners shall not allow the animal to be worked on a public highway, path or street during adverse weather or other conditions that are a threat to the health or safety of the horse and public; and, 23. No horses shall be permitted to pull a carriage with a loose shoe. C. The commission director, commission inspector, police officer or animal control officer may require the certificate holder or driver of a horse-drawn carriage to remove from service any horse that appears to be ill, overtired, undernourished, overloaded, injured, or lame or whose health or life in the opinion of a veterinarian or qualified equine animal control officer, is in imminent danger. To reinstate a horse removed from service, the horse must be re-examined and a new state certificate of veterinarian inspection issued for the horse by a veterinarian licensed by the state and specializing in equine medicine, which certificate must be submitted to the commission director. D. A person commits an offense by harassing or startling, or attempting to harass or startle, any horse while the horse is pulling a carriage or at rest or otherwise treats a horse inhumanely while it is working in a horse-drawn carriage. Violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor. E. A certificate holder and driver shall use a trailer to transport a horse to a job location in the metropolitan government area that is more than three miles from the location where the horse is stabled. F. For purposes of this section, a horse is considered to be working any time it is being used for-hire on a public street or sidewalk, or other public right-of-way, during any hour of operation of the horse-drawn carriage service that is authorized by and on file with the commission director. G. The metro animal control may order quarantine on the entire premises where the animals are being stabled or any part thereof or on any particular animal for any of the following reasons: 1. Excessive parasitism, diagnosed by a veterinarian, which would cause the animal to be unfit to be ridden or driven; 2. General malnutrition, as diagnosed by a veterinarian; or 3. Presence of suspicion of contagious or transmittable disease, as diagnosed by a veterinarian. H. Owners and operators of horse-drawn carriages shall not permit unsanitary conditions to be present on any city route, animal rest area or any area where the animals are kept. All such areas shall be kept clean and free of conditions that might harbor, or be conducive to the breeding of insects or rodents. I. No animal shall be made to perform by means of any prod, stick, electrical shock, physical force, or by causing pain or discomfort. Any whip or riding crop must be used so as not to cause injury to the animal whether in or out of service. A whip or riding crop may be displayed on the carriage provided it is not used on any horse. J. The certificate holder shall notify the commission director of any carriage horse that dies within twenty-four hours, or if on the weekend or a legal holiday, during the next business day. The commission director may request that a board certified veterinary pathologist shall perform a necropsy at the expense of the certificate holder. A record of the death and/or necropsy finding shall be filed with the commission director. K. When weather conditions are adverse or inclement which could harm either horses or passengers, carriages shall not be operated. The commission, by rule, may adopt specific guidelines for the operation of carriages in inclement weather conditions. (Ord. BL2019-1657 §§ 24—27, 2019; Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 12.54.250 Examination of horses.

12.54.250 - Examination of horses. A. The commission director may, at any time, request the metro animal control agency or its designee, to examine any carriage horse. The cost of examination of a horse shall be the responsibility of the certificate holder. B. Each horse shall be thoroughly examined within thirty days prior to use and shall have: 1. A certificate of well-being issued by a veterinarian and kept, at all times, with the horse and available for inspection by the commission director, commission inspector, police officer or animal control officer. A copy of such certificate shall be on file with the commission director; 2. A certificate of well-being identifying the horse by breed, color, sex, and markings and showing the state and type of carriage the horse can be expected to draw safely, without causing injury to the horse. The certificate of well-being shall be valid for a period not to exceed six months. C. No stallions, unmanageable or unruly horses or pregnant mares shall be licensed or used at any time. D. A license that has been issued for a mare that becomes pregnant during the license period shall be returned to the commission director by the business until such time as the mare has foaled and is recertified by a veterinarian. E. After the initial issuance of the certificate of well-being is issued: 1. The horse must be examined at least once every six months by a veterinarian licensed by the state who specializes in equine medicine and receive a state certificate of veterinarian inspection, which must be submitted to the commission director; 2. The permittee shall keep written medical records for each horse and the records must be available for inspection at reasonable times upon request by the commission director. F. The examination shall encompass that which is consistent with maintaining the health and well-being of the animal as determined by the usual and customary recommended treatment of animals working under such conditions by the veterinarian association. Such examinations should include, but not be limited to, leg and hoof exams, dental exams, eyes, internal parasites, lab reports, and cardiovascular health. (Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 12.54.260 Carriage and equipment.

12.54.260 - Carriage and equipment. A. An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage shall ensure and certify that the equipment used in the operation of the horse-drawn carriage meets the following standards of this section: 1. Provide that the carriage used is in good operating condition, the axles are well-greased, and that all operating mechanisms are in good working order; 2. Provide that the carriage is equipped with hydraulic brakes in good working condition; 3. Provide that the saddle, harness, shoes, bridle, and any other equipment for the horse fits properly, is in good working condition, and shall not cause injury or pain to the horse; 4. Not use twisted wire, spurs, bucking straps, flank straps, or similar devices. All bits and other equipment must be humane which are not injurious to the horse; 5. Daily inspect all horses and all equipment at the time of departure from and return to the stable; and 6. Provide that all horses are equipped with a diaper that is constructed of a sturdy material and is properly fitted to the horse to ensure comfort. B. No carriage engaged in the horse-drawn carriage business shall be driven or operated on a public street or byway of the city unless the owner or operator of the carriage has obtained a valid identification card issued by the commission director pursuant to a procedure and fees established by this chapter. C. A carriage used in the horse-drawn carriage service shall: 1. Have a valid permit conspicuously displayed on the carriage at all times; 2. Be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem attached to the rear of the carriage; 3. Be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition; 4. Not drive or transport more than nine passengers at one time with a maximum of seven adults, excluding the driver or operator of the carriage for each horse; or ten passengers at one time, including the driver or operator for each mule; 5. Display the name and telephone number of the horse-drawn carriage with letters not to exceed three inches nor less that one inch in height on the carriage exterior. These signs must be displayed at all times that the carriage is operating for business unless the carriage is being used for a special event, such as a wedding or funeral; 6. Must be equipped with a chemical to be poured over horse urine by drivers so as to break down and eliminate accumulated agents and odors; 7. Sufficient reflective material must be placed along the shafts of the carriage, or other parts thereof, which normally parallel the body, head or legs of the horse pulling such carriage; 8. An optional rear view mirror on each side of the carriage, if requested by the commission director; 9. Be equipped with lights which comply with applicable state law; 10. A fully charged backup battery must be readily available and a carriage cannot operate without proper lights; 11. Two suitable cardholders shall be conspicuously affixed to the carriage visible to passengers. One cardholder shall hold the identification card of the carriage driver and one shall hold the identification card of the horse that is in use at the time, as well as the certificate of well being for such horse; 12. A first aid kit; 13. Consecutive daily records in a bound volume, in ink, must be kept of the movements of each horse-drawn carriage and horse by the licensee, as follows: a. Permit number, b. Time of departure from and arrival at stable, c. Driver's name and permit number, d. Driver's permit expiration date, and e. The horse's name and identification number. This information must be available for inspection. Only the daily logs must be available on each carriage; 14. In addition, the following information is required for each specific trip: a. Carriage identification number, b. Number of passengers, c. Time of departure of trip, and d. Time of return of trip. D. If, upon any inspection, a carriage is found to be unsafe, unclean or unsightly, the commission director, MTLC staff, metro animal control staff or police officer, may direct that the carriage be taken out of service until such condition is corrected. Such carriage shall be re-inspected and approved by the commission director, MTLC staff or designee before returning to service, at which time a new permit shall be issued and a service fee (established by rule) shall be collected. E. The commission may, by rule, establish additional inspection requirements for a carriage and other equipment used in the horse-drawn carriage service. (Ord. BL2019-1657 § 28, 2019; Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 12.54.270 Animal working conditions.

12.54.270 - Animal working conditions. A. No animal shall be worked under any of the following conditions, and any owner allowed to let the conditions exist will be found in violation of this article: 1. The animal is pulling more people than permitted under Section 12.54.260 of this chapter; 2. The animal works more than eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period without ten minutes of rest for each fifty minutes of work and with a minimum of twelve consecutive hours of rest; 3. The animal pulling a carriage is moved at a speed faster than a trot; 4. The animal is worked with equipment causing an impairment of vision other than normal blinders; 5. The animal is subject to any condition or treatment that will impair the good health and physical condition of the animal; 6. Water must be available before and after each shift. In addition, water shall be offered when appropriate and will not be injurious to the horse; 7. Make sure horses are given proper amounts of water before and after working, and have additional water available if needed; 8. Not work longer than eight hours within a twenty-four-hour period with a minimum of twelve consecutive hours of rest; 9. Horses shall not be worked for commercial purposes in extreme temperatures or in adverse weather. When the weather is determined to be adverse, all horses must immediately cease working, be offered shade or shelter when available, be rested and cooled off, and then walked to their stable. All horses so ordered to return to their stable must be unbridled and remain at the stable for at least one hour and until the temperature returns to the appropriate levels; 10. Be provided with daily food and water, free from contamination. Such food shall be wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal; 11. Shall not be overridden or driven to overheating or exhaustion. (Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT12VETR_CH12.54HOAWCA_ARTIIIHOCAEQFetched: 10/28/2026