New legislation in Marbella will require working horses to be provided with set breaks and shelter from the sun. The government had previously announced plans to remove horse-drawn carriages from the streets within three years, but this never happened and there are currently no regulations on animal welfare in the area.

The new ordinance emphasizes the importance of horse and carriage rides for holidaymakers and aims to preserve the cultural and historical tradition. The main improvement in the legislation is the inclusion of measures to guarantee the welfare of the horses, including regular health checks, registration in the General Registry of Livestock Farms, and age restrictions for working horses.

Under the new law, working horses must be kept in clean and well-fed conditions, provided with adequate rest areas, and given breaks of at least two consecutive hours in an 8-hour work day. The use of whips directly on the animal’s body and any physical punishment that threatens its well-being are prohibited. The law will be implemented in Marbella before the start of the summer season.