Drouwenerzand amusement park stops with pony rides. The reason: visitors ask too many questions about the care of the animals. What do you think, are we going too far with our focus on animal welfare?
How long do those ponies run? And are they well cared for? Employees of Drouwenerzand amusement park have recently been bombarded with questions. “You have to explain it over and over again. Then as a park you also have to think about what we want with this,” says director Bert van der Linde.
All these questions have made the park decide to stop pony riding. Van der Linde emphasizes that the ponies are indeed well cared for. “Children are weighed in advance and we always have a double set. That means that the same ponies don’t ride every day,” says the director. In addition to all the questions, the staffing also plays a role in stopping: many supervisors are needed for the rides.
What do you think? Are we going too far with our focus on animal welfare, or is it right that the park stops? Let us know.