MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — The city of Mobile is changing some of the requirements for horse riders in upcoming Mardi Gras parades. The city introduced new policies last year after a horse collapsed during a parade in 2024, sparking outrage from animal advocates. The safety rules were enforced during the 2025 parades, and the city says it found ways to improve.
“We found several places where we could pull back some the things we had to do, and then some additional things that were necessary to implement,” said Director of Animal Services Robert Bryant.
Bryant says this year the city has people on staff who have been trained in equine welfare investigations. Last year, riders had to submit an exam certificate from a veterinarian. Now, city staff will evaluate the health of a horse on the day of the parade…