Carousels should not use horses as it encourages exploitation, campaigners say

British fairgrounds should stop featuring horses and other animals on their carousels because it encourages exploitation, campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has said.

The animal rights charity wants them to be replaced with objects that celebrate human achievement.

“It would be wonderful to see UK fairgrounds replace animal-shaped carousel figures with vehicles such as cars, unicycles, tractors, aeroplanes, rockets, and bulldozers – or more whimsical designs like shooting stars, rainbows, or brooms,” said Elisa Allen, of Peta.

Peta has made the same request in the US and the Netherlands.

It told US firm Chances Rides that using animal designs on merry-go-rounds “unintentionally celebrates the exploitation” of “thinking, feeling, affectionate, playful, and social beings”.

The call to replace the hand-painted ponies has sparked disbelief and outrage among British politicians.

“Peta seem to be on a doom carousel, spiraling in their own echo-chamber, they should get off at the next stop, and recognise there’s such a thing as an imagination. Let children enjoy theirs and their innocence,” said Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton.

“Peta are fanatical lunatics. They put animals above people in their joyless world,” said Nigel Farage, the former Brexit Party leader, MEP and honorary president of Reform.

“Their idea of aeroplanes on carousels will lead to conflict with their fellow travellers in the climate change lobby!,” he added.

Peta writes to firm demanding change

Putting an end to the practice would heap pressure on companies that exploit real animals in rides and shows, where they often face poor treatment and conditions, Peta said in a letter to the Kansas company.

“Animal-themed carousel sets reinforce the notion that these sentient beings are simply here for our entertainment, rather than individuals with the same capacity to experience fear, pain, joy, and love as any of us,” wrote Ingrid Newkirk, the British-American president and founder of Peta.

Ms Newskirk said, “Children learn through play, and teaching them to have respect and compassion for all living, feeling beings can help create a more just and merciful world.

“Peta urges Chance Rides and all other carousel manufacturers to hit the brakes on old-fashioned animal-themed rides and embrace designs that engage children’s imagination and showcase human talent.”

The Dutch arm of Peta has also thrown its weight behind the campaign. The Efteling, in the southern Netherlands is one of Europe’s biggest amusement parks and has a number of carousels, including the oldest merry-go-round in the Netherlands, which was built in 1865. Its carousels include 16 horses, a hen and a lion.

“Children using the roundabouts get the idea that it is normal to use animals for our pleasure,” said Janneke Hogervorst, a Peta advisor. “So we support the call by Peta US. It might be symbolic, but it is worth a lot.”

If the Efteling were to consider changing its rides, it would start a very important discussion, she added.

The theme park told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper it would follow the “interesting and special” debate closely and did not rule out making changes.

Joby Carter’s parents started Carters Steam Fair in 1977 before he took over the vintage  travelling attraction, which boasted gallopers dating from 1895.

Mr Carter, who teaches traditional signwriting, said the depiction of animals on the roundabouts was “one of the earliest forms of pop art. Pop art before pop art.”

“The reason why the Victorians painted lions and tigers and bears was because people have never seen them before and it drew them to the ride. There was no cruelty to the animals in that situation,” he said.

The horses on the Victorian rides were “beautiful, handcarved”, the 48-year-old said.

“You have a version of the real thing that is not hurting anyone and they don’t want you to ride that as well. I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in all my days,” he said.

The vintage fair closed in 2022 after 45 years and Mr Carter, who said he was a “custodian” for the carousels, added he was still hoping to find a good home for the rides.