In 2023, Caroline e-Carriage made her debut in Philadelphia as the first electronic carriage to be introduced in any major American city.
In her first year, she appeared in local events, was filmed for an MSNBC docudrama, kicked off a tour series, transported guests at WHYY’s Masterpiece Masquerade Ball at Cairnwood Estate, was featured in Philadelphia’s Independence Day Parade, and transported “General Lafayette” down Broadway in the Lafayette200 Kickoff Tour in New York City.
Since then, owner Janet White (pictured above and below), a Hatboro resident and the founder/director of Carriage Horse Freedom in Philadelphia, told Glenside Local that Caroline has appeared in more than 30 events over the last three years—including special appearances in New York City, Savannah, Georgia, and the Rockledge Fourth of July parade.
She was scheduled to appear in Glenside’s Fourth of July parade as well, but high temperatures had other ideas, and an alternative celebration was planned.
“Rockledge’s parade had a great turnout and a lot of energy. There was a lot of interest and support for our carriage. We were very well received,” White said.
On June 11, Philadelphia City Council officially banned horse‑drawn carriages, a decision which White says is the culmination of 50 years of consistent advocacy.
“The carriages in Philadelphia were introduced for the bicentennial in 1976 as a tourist attraction. Since then, there have been advocates protesting the abuse and poor living conditions of the horses,” she said. “By 2023, there was only one carriage company remaining.”
According to White, the legislation prevents horse carriage businesses from operating and protects horses from undertaking that sort of labor in the future.
“We’re evidence-based, and we know that it’s very bad for them. It’s also dangerous in terms of public safety, so we continued to seek a ban,” she said. “We didn’t want to see more companies start up, so we’ve been working with City Council.”
The carriage is still housed in Huntingdon Valley, White said.
“I think most people don’t want to see horse-drawn carriages. I think it’s an interesting demonstration of changes in society that we’ve gone from one extreme to the other,” White said. “I grew up in Philadelphia. I always felt badly for those horses because their suffering was obvious. In 2015, I came across a group of advocates, so I got involved in peaceful street protests. I learned as I went along, and I started my own group in 2017. I hired a government relations attorney, I worked with academics and graduate students who did a case study on the industry in Philadelphia. It’s been great to see it all come together.”
Caroline is available for private events. To make a reservation, you can email chfphiladelphia@gmail.com.
For more on Caroline e-Carriage and Carriage Horse Freedom, you can visit their website and Facebook page.
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Photos: Janet White