In France, a municipal horse () is a horse utilized for various public service tasks on behalf of a local authority. This approach aligns with sustainable development and ecological solutions, as it aims to preserve the authenticity of the sites involved. The commune of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives was a pioneer in this practice, introducing the mare "Uranie" in 1993. The commune of Trouville-sur-Mer organizes an annual congress and leads the national municipal horse commission (). In 2012, the role of coachman formally defined, and this profession was officially registered in the . As of 2015, approximately 300 communes of France employed one or more municipal horses. Their duties are diverse, typically involving tourism, waste management, maintenance of green spaces, safety and prevention, or personal transport.
Municipal horses have attracted interest among the public, contributing to connections between residents and municipal services. They serve as representations of the municipalities that employ them. While the use of horses may be considered traditional, some view them as more appealing than motorized vehicles due to their ecological benefits and potential for job creation, often at comparable or lower costs. However, horses necessitate a greater time investment for their care compared to motorized vehicles.
Definition
Various names have been used for the municipal horse, including , , , and . A symposium held in Avignon in 2000 focused on the theme of "the horse in the city." The term "municipal horse" was officially adopted during the first Congrès national des chevaux territoriaux in Trouville-sur-Mer in 2003.(fr) . In late 2012, a report by the (CGAAER) defined the term as "a horse used by a local authority (either independently or as a service provider) to carry out public service missions in its territory, such as passenger transport, waste collection, maintenance of green spaces or natural areas, and prevention and security".(fr) . In Switzerland, the term "urban horse" is used. However, the concept of "municipal horse" remains challenging to define comprehensively.(fr) A. Wanneroy and C. Vial-Pion, "Cheval territorial: premier repérage des multiples initiatives existantes", IFCE (Accessed 28 September 2015).
History
There is currently insufficient data to provide a comprehensive overview of the municipal horse and its related structures, as thorough investigations have not been conducted.(fr) . Historically, French communes utilized horses for various tasks before the rise of motor vehicles. The modernization of transportation in the 20th century led to a decline in the use of working animals in France.(fr) . Pierre Rabhi described this shift as a "rupture," highlighting society's reliance on oil and its disconnection from the earth.(fr) Pierre Rabhi quoted in .
The concept of municipal horses emerged from sustainable development ideas popularized in the 1990s, coinciding with a gradual reintroduction of horses into agricultural practices. The initiative began with the town council of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, a rural commune closely associated with the Percheron draught horse. Since 1993, Bruno Rible has employed a grey mare named "Uranie" for municipal tasks such as garbage collection, cleaning gutters, and providing carriage rides for children. This initiative received official recognition in 1995 and garnered significant media attention.(fr) .
Following this example, several pioneering communes began to adopt municipal horses. In 1999 and 2000, Trouville-sur-Mer implemented a similar system to manage its glass waste, motivated by the lower costs of acquiring a horse compared to specialized motor vehicles and the desire to minimize disturbances in the tourist area. The commune introduced a five-year-old Percheron named for this purpose.(fr) . In 2003, Trouville-sur-Mer hosted the first national municipal horse congress. That year, Haras Nationaux commissioned a Sofres survey to assess public perceptions of horses in urban areas. The findings indicated that the presence of horses contributes positively to the urban environment, enhancing its social and aesthetic appeal.(fr) As part of the "Horse and Territories" initiative, Haras Nationaux analyzed various community projects involving horses in 2005.
Since the 2000s, an increasing number of French communes have established and expanded public horse-drawn services.(fr) . This trend led to the creation of a municipal horse championship in 2009, which included participation from 70 communes, and the formation of a national municipal horse commission in 2011. Currently, over a hundred communities utilize at least one horse for public service.(fr) . By the end of 2012, approximately 200 communes either had a municipal horse or were planning to acquire one.(fr) . The French government has tasked the CGAAER with analyzing this phenomenon to evaluate the potential for further development of municipal horses.(fr) . Interest from mayors was evident in November 2013, and by October 2015, around 300 communes were using a municipal horse, whether on an occasional or year-round basis. The popularity of these initiatives prompted the and the to organize several "equi-meetings" in 2015 and 2016. These meetings aimed to review existing projects and assist municipalities interested in establishing their own horse-drawn services..(fr) .
Additionally, to promote and preserve the Breton horse breed, the Brittany region launched a call for projects in September 2013, offering financial support for initiatives involving Breton horses. This call for projects has been renewed annually, with between 8 and 12 Breton communities responding each year.(fr) The initiative allows for the evaluation or implementation of activities related to the Breton draft horse. Each year, the Faire à cheval network produces a report assessing projects initiated two years prior to track changes in community usage and highlight key factors contributing to the success of these initiatives.
Missions A municipal horse can undertake a variety of missions, including mounted police, domestic waste collection, and awareness-raising on selective sorting, transport of people (schools, tourism, and the elderly), maintenance of green spaces (lawn mowing, watering vegetation, logging), maintenance of protected natural sites, herd surveillance, and social actions.(fr) .
Waste collection and maintenance
The use of horses for waste collection has various applications, including the collection of household waste, special waste from selective sorting (such as batteries, glass, and cardboard), and the emptying of litter bins in streets and parks. The presence of horses can facilitate communication with the public about waste sorting and management, often resulting in higher recovery rates. Horse-drawn vehicles enable effective door-to-door collection for both private and commercial customers, and seasonal collection schemes may be organized for events such as Christmas markets or the disposal of used Christmas trees.(fr) (fr) . Horse-drawn waste collection is noted for its potential to enhance awareness, particularly among children, and increases the visibility of the waste collection personnel. Some reports suggest that workers may feel more motivated and productive when working with horses. Additionally, horses can navigate narrow or steep streets more efficiently than motorized vehicles, making them suitable for short-distance tasks with frequent stops. However, public acceptance of using horses for waste collection remains low, with a significant percentage of the population expressing opposition, as indicated by a 2003 Kantar TNS poll. Local authorities also face challenges in adapting staff and equipment for this type of service.
In some instances, horses or donkeys are employed for mechanical scanning, collection, upkeep, and lightweight maintenance of urban equipment, including pavements, sidewalks, and signposts, as well as maintaining paths and beaches. Horses can access hard-to-reach areas and serve as a complement to motorized vehicles.(fr) .
Maintenance of nature and green areas
Horses are particularly well-suited for work in green spaces and sensitive natural areas, such as wetlands, unstable or sloping terrain, rivers, hiking trails, regional or national parks, and forests managed by the National Forests Office. Their tasks may include skidding, portaging, and other forestry-related functions. The organized nature of the French equestrian industry provides an advantage, as it ensures that workers possess the necessary training, skills, and equipment. The ecological benefits of using horses are significant, as they do not cause soil compaction, disturb local flora or fauna, or introduce pollutants such as hydrocarbons into the environment. Horses offer greater flexibility and maneuverability compared to motorized vehicles, enabling them to navigate challenging terrains, including rivers and slopes, often at a lower operational cost. However, motorized vehicles tend to be faster and more efficient, making horses comparatively slower.(fr) .
In urban parks and green spaces, horses have a wide range of applications, including watering and irrigating planters and flowerbeds, maintaining paths and embankments, planting and tending to flowerbeds, collecting litter, and performing various activities such as rides and educational programs. They can also be utilized in conservation grazing initiatives. Horses are favored for transportation and recreational activities in parks and gardens, and their use is compatible with Natura 2000 zones and historic sites, enhancing the visitor experience. While horses can effectively carry out daily park activities, challenges remain in acquiring equipment specifically designed for horse-related tasks.(fr) .
Municipal transport Several municipalities have introduced horse-drawn transportation for schools, catering to both regular commutes in rural areas with small student populations and special excursions. This initiative has been well-received by children, who appreciate the presence of horses and are often more motivated to attend school. It also serves as a pedagogical tool, providing opportunities to educate students about equine nutrition, farriery, and care. However, the use of horse-drawn transportation for school purposes faces significant regulatory and safety limitations, as well as logistical challenges.
In addition to school transport, there are initiatives that provide horse-drawn services for elderly individuals traveling to retirement clubs, utilizing cabs and horse-drawn buses, with or without fees. This form of transportation raises considerations regarding the establishment of horse-drawn parking areas, traffic management, and ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities.(fr) .
Protection and monitoring
Protection and surveillance operations involving municipal horses can be either permanent or seasonal, often carried out by or municipal police officers. These initiatives are valued for the discreet, deterrent, and approachable presence of law enforcement on horseback, which allows for effective surveillance over large areas from an elevated position. The use of mounted officers has been shown to be effective in preventing crime. Public support for this practice is substantial, with 82% of French citizens expressing approval for the use of horseback officers in securing public spaces. However, challenges remain, including limitations in training, the selection of suitable animals and personnel, and considerations for the well-being of horses during urban missions, which can complicate the implementation of these operations.(fr) .
Tourism