A total of 19 karozzini horse shelters will be set up over the coming weeks in various spots in Sliema, St Julian’s, Valletta and Buġibba to shield the animals from the scorching sun.

Addressing a press conference yesterday near a newly installed shelter at Sliema Ferries, the Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes, said the issue had been going on for 20 years.

The previous government spent €40,000 on each shelter, which was exorbitant. The new ones, he added, would cost €3,000 each and would later be fitted with water points and drainage pipes.

When it was pointed out that the foldable awning might not provide adequate shade throughout the day, Mr Galdes said a balance between aesthetics and flexibility was needed.

We’re desperately trying to keep this dying trade alive

He expressed disappointment that government plans to have 10 shelters set up in Valletta was being unnecessarily delayed by the local council, which refused to issue the road works permit.

Mr Galdes specifically pointed his finger at Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli who, he added, did not discuss the matter with fellow councillors.

When contacted, Dr Dingli said the local council had requested “a clarification meeting”, which would take place today.

“We had objected to horse shelters in two spots: one next to the Lower Barrakka Gardens, which, according to the latest plans, seems to have been dropped, and another in St Mark Street,” he said.

“We opposed them not because we’re against the horses having shade, but because of the waste that could be detrimental to residents and business as well as the carriages, which would have hindered traffic.”

Animal Rights Group chairwoman Myriam Kirmond lauded the initiative as “a great improvement”.

She said it was sheer cruelty to leave the horses baking in the sun. If they became too hot, the animals could bolt or collapse.

There are about 40 horse-drawn cabs operating on the island in what Kevin Debono, from the Karozzini Association, described as “a dying trade”.

“We’re desperately trying to keep it alive. We value our horses even more than we value ourselves,” he said.

“Unfortunately, you sometimes get a handful of cab drivers who behave irresponsibly and give the rest of us a bad name.”

He said that drivers were often hindered by Transport Malta, the police or local councils when they were fined for moving their horses opposite their designated stand in search of shade.

Mr Debono said the association had met Prime Minister Joseph Muscat prior to the March election and “reached an agreement” regarding adequate horse shelters.

“He said it will happen and it happened.”