Authorities in Rome have implemented a ban on horse drawn carriages being used on city centre streets. They are to be replaced by special electric powered period cars.
The 44 carriages will be allowed to work the streets on weekends but for the rest of the time they are to be confined to working in the city parks.
The new scheme has but put in place following several accidents. Last year a horse had to be put to sleep after breaking its leg in a collision with a truck.
Michela Vittoria Brambilla, Italy’s deputy tourism minister has been championing the plight of the 90 horses employed on Rome’s streets.
Full details of the ban are expected to be revealed next Wednesday.
An escaped French military horse has become an internet star after ditching his rider and taking off through the streets of Paris.
15 Year old chestnut stallion Garibaldi was part of a routine patrol at the Elysee Palace when he ran off. His Republican Guard rider fell to the ground and Garibaldi set off on his tour of the Paris sights.
He made his way up the Place de la Concorde before heading onto the banks of the river Seine. The horse then arrived at the Louvre museum where he fell after skidding to avoid a lorry.
A police patrol car followed the horse and when it was safe to do so an officer leaned out of the window and grabbed his bridle, finally bringing Garibaldi to a halt.
He escaped from his adventure with only a few superficial wounds.
The 41 year old, former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has recently completed a 28 day rehabilitation program which included Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a holistic form of therapy that uses horses to help stimulate psychological, physical and emotional well being.
Gazza who has in the past been addicted to wine gums, calpol and fly fishing, as well as alcohol said:
“The first time we went to work with the horses we were taken into the field and were encouraged to interact with them.
“I was stood near this one particular horse and as I was thinking about it, it came over and started nudging me. It was incredible.
“It is a fairly new type of treatment and some people might think it sounds odd but believe me, it is very powerful.”
The Sporting Chance Clinic which was set up by former England captain Tony Adams offers help to sportsmen and women who are suffering from a variety of behavioral problems including addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, food and gambling.
Four horses have died in a suspicious stable fire at an Arabian stud at Prestolee near Bolton.
There were seven horses in the stable at the time but neighbours risked their lives to break down the back wall of the building and managed to rescue three of them.
The horses that died were a yearling called Endeavour, Halli the foal, seven year old mare Halanah and 17 year old gelding Johara El Kheil who took the HOYS ridden Arab horse of the year in 2002.
Police believe that the fire was started deliberately and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity in the area.
A donation line has been set up to help the stud owners Vicki and Brenda Marsh.
Two boys aged 18 and 15 have been sent to a young offenders institution after killing two ponies last May.
The Shetlands called ‘Bill’ and ‘Ben’ which belonged to Edgeley House Nursing Home in Whitchurch were shot dead in their paddock by 18 year old Daniel Walker of Dodington and another youth who can’t be named for legal reasons.
The 15 year old also admitted stealing fire arms from another property in Whitchurch.
They were sentenced on 19th February at Crown Court. Walker received 4 years in a young offenders institution and the youth was given a two year sentence.
