As noted in the August 19th Council Meeting, Town staff have had correspondence with the operator of Trot in Time Carriage Tours regarding the welfare of the horses and inquiries the Town had been receiving throughout the year. Earlier this year, the operator provided a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Horse Care During Heat and Humidity, as well as other documentation pertaining to the wellbeing and care of the animals to town staff. The Town of Lunenburg was also in receipt of veterinary health certificates, which were provided prior to the issuance of an operating permit for 2025. 

A request was made by the town earlier this month for an updated veterinary health certificate for all of the working horses, in response to concerns raised by members of the public. Town officials further confirmed that the operator was following the SOPs previously provided. On August 20th, a veterinarian inspected the operations of Trot in Time at the operator's expense. They provided a detailed report on the horses' living conditions, as well as their workload and suitability for the job. The Town is in receipt of the report. 

The report concluded that, “Care will need to be taken during the summer with regards to heat, but it sounds like a protocol is in place for this. The horses are up to date on veterinary care. According to the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia, the horse’s needs are currently being appropriately met. Overall, the owners of Trot in Time do seem genuinely committed to caring for the horses well and improving animal welfare. They were very transparent today and answered my questions eagerly. Since working with this business, they have been prompt to call about any concerns with the horses and we have maintained a good relationship."

The Town is also in receipt of a July 4, 2025 visit from the Inspector Specialist; Agriculture Inspection Services Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. This report noted, “As a result of this investigation, I found the operation to be well-managed, with the horses’ wellbeing seeming to be at the forefront of the business model. The horses themselves all appeared to be in excellent health, well-muscled and of good weight, and up to date on farrier/veterinary care. They are the appropriate type, build and fitness level for the type of work required.”

“While I understands the concerns regarding the horses being overworked/worked in hot weather, I am confident that the horses are not overworked, are cared for and maintained in ways that mitigate distress while being worked, and if the horses were to show signs of distress they would be immediately and adequately tended to”

Overall, based on the information we have, the Town feels that Trot In Time is operating within good safety parameters, and we will continue to communicate with them as the season progresses.

While The Town and its staff have done everything it can to make sure that things are being handled in a safe manner, the current Hack and Trolley By-law will be reviewed in the coming months. At the August 19 meeting, Council directed staff to review the Hack and Trolley By-law, taking into account regulations from other jurisdictions with similar climates and tourism activities, and bring the review back for discussion at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. 

If anyone from the public wishes to have more education on the business practices and understanding of the care and welfare of the horses with Trot in Time, they are encouraged to visit Trot in Time at the waterfront or reach out to Mary Gilson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by texting 902-298-1895.