Pony rides on the Maikirmes: tradition or cruelty to animals?

Pony rides on the Maikirmes: tradition or cruelty to animals?

The Ahlen Maikirmes runs until May 6, 2025 and moves numerous visitors to the city center. The event is one of the largest and most popular fair events in the region and offers a variety of attractions. These include modern and classic rides such as carousels, giant bikes and car scooters, as well as culinary delights such as roasted almonds and sausages. The Maikirmes is a traditional folk festival that has numerous offers for the entire family.

But the location of the pony railway ensures critical voices on social media. The Kaiser family from Herford belongs to the pony carousel, which has a long tradition. Due to construction work on Dr.-Paul-Rosenbaum-Platz, the pony railway was laid under a railway underpass. Market champion Sebastian Altena said that this new location was calmer and the animals would not be led over the entire fun fair, which should theoretically promote animal welfare. Nevertheless, many visitors are concerned and accuse the operators of cruelty to animals. Kreiszeitung reports that Animal welfare organizations such as PETA and the German Tierschutzbund Ponybahnen have been criticizing for years.

animal welfare in focus

The ponies are changed every two-hour and brought to meadows in Ahlen after their work. According to the operator Gilbert-Sascha Kaiser and his wife, they checked the new location in advance. The veterinary office approved the location and found no defects. Nevertheless, veterinary doctors are concerned about the health problems that can arise from constant circular running of the ponies. There is no uniform legal rules for pony rides on fair - the decision lies with the municipalities.

The city has announced that they are looking for solutions in consultation with the veterinary office and the family of showmen should pay concerns about animal welfare. Older ponies are retired and live in the Kaiser family's farm, while the young ponies enjoy free time after the events on a pasture.

The trend towards change

In the discussion about pony rides on the fair, Ahlen is not alone. The topic is also highly examined in Munich. From 2024, pony rides will be banned at urban folk festivals in Munich. The majority of the Munich city council voted for the ban, while the CSU criticizes the ban as a "pure delusions of prohibition". The Greens and the SPD, on the other hand, hope to improve animal welfare through the ban. Abendzeitung reports that offer the number of showmen in Germany, which reflects a clear trend in the showcase industry.

The Maikirmes in Ahlen remains a place of sociable get -together despite the controversy. It not only offers attractions and a culinary offer, but also the opportunity to discuss animal welfare and tradition. For the coming years it remains to be seen how the attitude towards pony ride will develop.