(A) Horses shall not be left untethered or unattended except when confined in a Stable or other secure enclosure.
(B) Rental horses shall be allowed to drink, but shall not be allowed to drink in large quantities unless adequately rested. Water shall be offered at frequent periods throughout the day and, in the case of horses not at work, shall be available at all times. Troughs shall be cleaned daily. Sufficient nutritional foods and water shall be provided free of dust, mold, vermin and other contaminants. Rental horses shall be fed at least twice daily with the larger feeding being provided after the horse has completed work.
(C) Certified weights of all horses and horse drawn vehicles shall be registered annually with the Department. At the discretion of the Department, when supported by the opinion of a consulting veterinarian, a rental horse may be restricted as to pulling/riding capacity, based on individual characteristics and abilities.
(D) No rental horse shall be at work in excess of eight hours a day. Fifteen (15) minute rest shall be required for every two working hours. Fresh water shall be made available to the horse during such rest period.
(E) Rental horses shall not be Worked in temperatures below -10° Fahrenheit, with wind chill factor applied. At no time shall a rental horse be at work when the sum of the relative humidity and ambient temperature exceeds 160. For the purposes of this division, temperatures shall be those measured "in the city's downtown" and broadcast by the local radio stations. An operator of a rental horse at the time the temperatures exceed the above described limits shall return the passengers to the point of loading and rest the horse in sheltered conditions. Thereafter, such horses may be worked only when the weather conditions again reach acceptable limits.
(F) Rental horses shall not work on a public highway, street or way when adverse weather or other conditions threaten the health or safety of the horse or the public. Adverse weather conditions include but are not limited to; snow, ice, heavy rain or other slippery conditions.
(G) Carriage companies shall equip all carriages with manure catching devices to be used at all times during work.
(H) No horse-drawn carriage shall be driven at a speed faster than a trot at any time. All such carriages shall comply with state law regarding slow moving vehicles. No horse drawn carriage shall be operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No horse-drawn carriage shall be allowed at any time on Jefferson or Washington Boulevards, or Clinton or Lafayette Streets in the city except to cross those streets at intersections controlled by an automatic signal.
(I) The owner or operator of a horse drawn carriage shall ensure a slow-moving vehicle emblem is prominently displayed on the rear of each carriage, whenever such carriage is moving. The triangular slow moving vehicle emblem will be mounted as near, as is practicable, to the center of mass and at an approximate height of not less than three and not more than five feet from level ground or surface. The emblem shall be mounted to ensure unrestricted visibility from the rear of the carriage, day or night.
(J) The owner or operator of a horse drawn carriage shall ensure flashing lamps are mounted and used whenever the carriage is moving, one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. A red or an amber flashing lamp will be mounted at a height, as low as practicable, that is visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the rear. A double-faced flashing lamp may be used, displaying amber light to the front and red or amber light to the rear.
(K) Every horse required to be permitted under § 91.121 shall have a general physical examination by a state-licensed veterinarian prior to use in a rental horse business, and thereafter at least annually during such use. The examination shall include but not be limited to: inspection of teeth, hooves, and shoes, and the physical ability of the horse to perform its work or duties. The examination shall also include treatment for parasites as necessary, a record of any injury, disease, or deficiency observed by the veterinarian, together with any prescription or recommendation regarding humane correction or disposition. An Indiana health certificate containing the above information and the identification number, age and condition of the horse, signed by the examining veterinarian, shall be maintained at the stable at which such horse is located.
(L) The rental horse business shall take immediate action to obtain veterinary treatment, care and attention when a horse exhibits evidence of sickness, disease, lameness or injury. If a horse dies while at work or in the stable area, or is involved in an accident resulting in an injury to a horse, the Department shall be notified immediately.
(M) A horse subject to this section which is or becomes lame or experiences a physical condition or illness making such horse unsuitable for work shall be removed from work by the owner or operator of the rental horse business or may be ordered removed from work by the Department. In the event of a dispute regarding such physical condition or illness, the Department may require such horse be examined by a veterinarian to determine its ability to safely work in a rental horse business. The cost of any such examination shall be borne solely by the rental horse business. A horse which has been removed from work under this division shall not return to work until it has completely recovered from the condition causing removal from work, or until such condition has improved sufficiently that a return to work will not aggravate the condition or otherwise endanger the health of the horse. A violation of this division shall be presumed if a horse is found at work within 48 hours following such removal in the same or similar sick or disabled condition which caused the original removal. Such presumption may be rebutted by a written statement from the veterinarian who examined the horse after the removal from work but prior to its return to work, which confirms his/her professional opinion that it was suitable for the horse to return to work prior to the expiration of the 48 hour period. Such Written statement shall be carried with the horse during the presumed 48 hour recovery period, and provided to the Department upon request.
(N) Saddles, blankets, harnesses, bridles and bits and all other equipment shall be properly fitted to each horse and kept in good repair.
(O) Horses shall be kept clean while at work and in the stable. Horses shall be trimmed and shod a minimum of once every six weeks or sooner if necessary.
(Ord. G-23-18, passed 9-25-18)