Mardi Gras Horse Use Policy

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. 

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View and download the Rider Training Certificate.
View and download the Weight Declaration Form.
View and download the Henneke Body Condition Score Sheet.

To ensure the safety of parade participants, spectators, and animals, the City will strictly enforce regulations governing the use of horses in the downtown area during scheduled parades. If you have questions about these new policies, please email animalcontrol@cityofmobile.org

I. Rider Requirements

A. Training and Competence

1. Riders must possess basic equestrian skills, including recognizing signs of horse stress or injury, to ensure safety for all involved.
2. Riders should demonstrate knowledge of appropriate responses to potential safety incidents.

B. Mandatory Rider Training

1. Riders must attend horsemanship training, covering:
   1. Recognizing signs of horse stress or injury.
   2. Fundamentals of riding, including controlling direction, gait, and speed.
   3. Identifying signs of agitation in horses and appropriate responses.
   4. Steps to ensure safety when handling stressed or agitated horses.
2. Upon course completion, riders will receive a signed Rider Training Certificate.
3. Trainers offering these courses must be pre-approved by Animal Services.
4. Owned Horses: Individuals riding horses that they own and regularly ride must only attend rider training once every three years. 
5. Rented/ Contracted Horses: Individuals that are riding horses that they do not own nor care for on a regular basis must complete a Mandatory Rider Training Class annually within 90 days of the start of Mardi Gras. 

C. Riders

1. Riders must submit a declaration form indicating their weight, including costumes and equipment to Animal Services.
2. Riders must submit a copy of their most recent proof of Rider Training. 
3. Certificates and forms completed by hand must be legible. Incomplete forms or forms where the information is not easily discernible will not be accepted. 
4. Any person 16 years of age or younger must wear a helmet while riding any horse.

II. Equine Medical Evaluation Requirements

A. Horse Health

1. All horses must be in good body condition. Horses will be evaluated by City of Mobile Animal Control Officers on parade days. Animal Control Officers will use the Henneke Equine Body Condition Scale when evaluating horses. Horses must score between a 5-7 in order to parade. 
2. A clear, colored copy of the latest negative Coggin’s test results for that horse, which shall include: 
   1. Current location where the horse is kept. 
   2. Current contact information for the owner, including home address and reliable phone number. 
   3. Name of the veterinarian that obtained the sample. 
   4. All identifying information of the horse, including name, coloration, markings, age, & gender
   5. Current rabies vaccination information. 
   6. Name of the laboratory & EIA technician that tested the sample.
   7. At least three (3) current photographs of the horse depicting its front, right and left profiles. 
3. Horses must be vaccinated against:
   1. Rabies
   2. Tetanus
   3. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis
   4. West Nile Virus
   5. Equine Viral Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1)
   6. Equine Influenza
4. Certificates must be filed with Animal Services.

B. Application of Rules

1. These requirements apply to all horses, including those with riders, used for pulling carriages, or participating as riderless horses.

C. Horseshoe Regulations

1. Shoeless horses may walk on paved roads if their hooves are in adequate condition to prevent injury.
2. Horses with shoes must use shoes treated with Borium for increased traction and safety.

D. No Stallions

1. No Stallions will be allowed to participate in a Mardi Gras Parade without express written permission from the Director of Animal Services.

III. Sedation Protocols

A. Veterinary Oversight

1. Sedation must be prescribed and administered under a licensed veterinarian's supervision, following the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act.

B. Record Keeping

1. Owners or representatives must maintain a detailed log of sedatives administered, including:
   1. Date, time, and route of administration.
   2. Horse description, weight, and identification.
   3. Name of the prescribing veterinarian.
   4. Details of the sedative used.

C. Monitoring Sedated Horses

1. Sedated horses must be continuously monitored for complications by a handler, trainer, or rider.

IV. Horse Handlers

1. Each group of horses must have at least one designated handler throughout the parade route.

V. Enforcement Authority

1. Police Officers and Animal Control Officers have full authority to:
   1. Enforce this policy.
   2. Deny horse participation or remove any horse from the parade at their discretion.

VI. Cooperation Requirements

1. All participants, including owners, handlers, trainers, riders, and spectators, must comply with lawful commands issued by Police or Animal Control Officers.
2. Obstructing or interfering with enforcement personnel will result in penalties as outlined below.

VII. Penalties for Violations

1. Policy violators will be removed from the parade and may bear associated costs.
2. Violations are subject to fines or incarceration under Chapter 1 of the City of Mobile Municipal Code.

VIII. Deadlines

1. Each horse’s Coggins test results and proof of vaccinations must be submitted to Animal Services at least one week prior to the start of the first parade of the Mardi Gras season. 
2. Rider Weight Declarations and Training Certificates must be submitted to Animal Services at least one week prior to the start of the first parade of the Mardi Gras season.