City of Mobile updates Mardi Gras horse, rider policies for 2026 season
Nov 26th, 2025
Posted in: Animal ServicesPress ReleaseMardi Gras
For Immediate Release
Mobile, Ala. — Ahead of the 2026 Carnival season, the City of Mobile has updated the policies that help ensure the safety and wellbeing of horses, riders, and spectators during Mardi Gras parades.
Last year, the City’s Animal Services Department introduced new policies to better protect horses and people during Mardi Gras parades. Since then, we’ve worked with veterinarians, riding groups, and community partners to refine those rules and regulations. The updated 2026 policy maintains the same focus on safety while simplifying compliance and strengthening on-site inspections.
One key change for 2026 is that Animal Control Officers will now evaluate horses on parade days using nationally recognized health standards to ensure they are in good condition before joining a parade. The updated process replaces the previous requirement for a separate veterinary examination certificate, making the system more efficient while keeping animal welfare front and center.
Horse owners will be required to provide a current negative Coggins test with complete identifying information for each horse, including its veterinarian of record, rabies vaccination status, and recent photographs, in addition to other information. Participating horses must also be fully vaccinated for rabies, tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, equine rhinopneumonitis, and equine influenza. These records must be filed with Animal Services by January 23, 2026.
This year, we are also adding new rider safety measures and streamlining the training requirements for those on horseback in parades. Riders who own and regularly ride their horses will only need to complete an approved training every three years, while riders who lease or rent horses must take a refresher annually. Rider Training Certificates must be submitted by January 23, 2026. Additionally, any parade rider 16 or younger will be required to wear a helmet while on horseback.
The City of Mobile will be organizing one free rider training clinic ahead of the 2026 Mardi Gras season. More details will be shared as soon as they are finalized. Follow the City of Mobile Animal Services for the latest information on clinics and the rules and requirements for parade horses.
Our Animal Services staff will continue to coordinate closely with parading organizations, stable owners, and law enforcement to ensure all animals and riders meet safety requirements before and during each parade. Horses that do not meet the policy standards may be removed from the route at any time. To view the complete 2026 Horse Policy for Mardi Gras parades, please visit the City of Mobile’s Mardi Gras Dashboard at www.cityofmobile.org/mardigras/.