When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will be put up for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they launched the program to break the cycle of uncertainty.
“Unbeknownst to us, 25 horses would come in and then, at the end of the parade, they would go back to the sale barns or the brokers, and some would be sold for slaughter,” Dorson said.
Dorson says ever since the Humane Society launched the program in 2017, every horse that it has taken in has been adopted into permanent homes.
“And they send us pictures of their fan kids on top of a parade horse, and they jazz them up and they put beads on them. So, it’s really become a really fun tradition that we’re really excited to be part of,” Dorson said.
Not everyone can adopt these horses – Dorson says there is an application process.
“You have to fill out forms. We have to talk to your veterinarian. We have to talk to your stable managers, so we get a good indication if you’re going to be a good fit,” Dorson explained.
Some horses have already been adopted; Dorson says he hopes to have all of this year’s horses adopted by March 4th.
You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.