MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The Conde Cavaliers are breaking their silence after a horse reportedly collapsed Friday night during Mobile’s first Mardi Gras parade of the season.
The Conde Cavaliers stated in a press release that they are continuing to investigate a horse slapping and kicking incident that went viral Friday and Saturday.
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“The Conde Cavaliers, as well as most parading societies, lease all the horses used for parading from a contracted stable,” the Conde Cavaliers said. “The stable establishes the guidelines for riders, assigns the horses and prepares the animals for the ride.
“Our contract also includes trainers for the horses and all decisions regarding the animals during the parade are made by those trainers.”
WKRG News 5 learned that the Conde Cavaliers’ horses are from a contractor in Mississippi, but that company does not wish to comment or be named to the media.
On social media, some expressed concern over whether the masked rider met the weight requirements to ride the horse. However, the Conde Cavaliers said that although the man’s costume makes him appear large, the marshal involved was below the size limits established by the stable.