Fewer and fewer chaises – animal protection causes carriages to die at the Basel carnival – news

Just a few years ago there were dozens of chaises at the Basel carnival. Now they have become rare.

Coachman Hansruedi Nussbaumer steers his two horses in the direction of Basel’s Wettstein Bridge. The chaise is on its way to the big parade in Basel, to the Cortège. The two horses, Harry and Emir, obediently obey the driver’s commands. You’ve been to Basel several times for carnival. Susanne Handschin, Robi Meyer and Fönsi Schwab are sitting in the carriage. All three carry a Waggislarva.

It’s a beautiful tradition. Under no circumstances should it die out.

For more than fifteen years they have been out and about together at the carnival – handing out sweets and roses to the children from their carriage. Susanne Handschin is the head of all chaises in Basel and is concerned about their decline: “It’s a wonderful tradition. It must not die out under any circumstances.”

There are various reasons for the dwindling number of horse-drawn carriages. One of them is the cost, Handschin is convinced. Renting a carriage with a driver and horses, and having masks and costumes made, is very expensive. “You could have a nice holiday with this money,” says Handschin. She doesn’t want to reveal the exact amount, because people in Basel don’t like to talk about money.

Animal rights activists put the pressure on

Horses at carnival have been the subject of much debate for years. Animal rights activists have demonstrated against the tradition several times in the past. The pressure has increased noticeably, says Handschin.

Not only Handschin feels the pressure. In neighboring Allschwil, a supervisor of chaise horses says that he has received dozens of emails and letters from animal rights activists who are opposed to the chaises.

For this very reason, carnival participants in Allschwil decided not to use live horses at this year’s carnival.

Handschin is not deterred by this. She is convinced that the horses would not suffer at the Cortège: “Several weeks beforehand, carnival music is played in the stable so that the animals can get used to it. It’s not a problem for her.” However, others who have taken part in the Basel Fasnacht in a chaise for decades have already given up due to pressure from animal rights activists.

On the street, at the Basel carnival, passers-by also express their concerns.

Passers-by feel sorry for the horses

A woman stands for a while and watches one of the chaises, shaking her head: “Personally, I’m having trouble. It hurts my heart because of the animals.” The woman is not alone in this. Another passer-by adds: “It’s just not right. It’s very noisy here and there’s far too little space.” Others are in favor of the chaises, without them a carnival would not be a real carnival.

Legend:

Animal rights activists are trying to ensure that horses no longer have to attend the Basel carnival.

KEYSTONE/Georgios Kefalas

And yet a trend has been emerging for several years. The decline in horse-drawn carriages cannot be explained away. Twenty years ago, thirty chaises took part in the Cortège of the Basel Fasnacht, this year there are only eight. And that despite the fact that Susanne Handschin tries year after year to win over acquaintances and friends for the old tradition.