Current through codified legislation effective September 18, 2024
Section 8-2005 - Care and use of horses in horse-drawn carriage trade(a) An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall: (1) Not use, work, drive, ride, or require labor from a horse for more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period;(2) Provide for adequate rest periods for a horse during the 8 hours of use;(3) Provide the horse with food and drinking water from a clean container of sufficient size and in good condition during the regular intervals during the 8 hours of use;(4) Drape the body of the horse from forelegs to hind legs with a warm covering during times of cold or inclement weather;(5) Park the horse in an area of shade whenever practicable during rest periods;(6) Not overdrive or overload a horse as evidenced by physical stress, strain, or exhaustion of the horse; and(7) Not beat or prod a horse to maintain a fast gait in any way that will cause pain or injury to the horse.(b) An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall not use a horse to draw a carriage unless:(1) The horse is in good health in accordance with standards established by the Mayor by rule;(2) The horse weighs at least 1,100 pounds; and(3) The hooves of the horse are properly shod and trimmed utilizing rubber compound shoes on the front 2 hooves and either rubber or open steel borium cork tip shoes on the 2 rear hooves.Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 6, 38 DCR 207; Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 16(b), 40 DCR 6311.