Illuminated horse-drawn carriage on a Texas city street at night
Texas Horse Carriage Association

Preserving Texas's Working Horse Legacy

Uniting operators, caretakers, and horse lovers statewide — championing welfare standards and safeguarding our shared equestrian way of life.

500+
Operators Statewide
3
Legislative Sessions
2
Bills Championed
1
Unified Voice
Who We Are

Three Pillars of a Proud Texas Tradition

The Texas Horse Carriage Association was founded by operators who understood that the industry's future depended on unity. We bring together operators, caretakers, and horse lovers statewide to celebrate working animals and safeguard our shared equestrian lifestyle.

01

Operators & Professionals

We represent the men and women who make their living with working horses — carriage operators, drivers, and caretakers who uphold the highest standards of their craft across every corner of Texas.

02

Animal Welfare Standards

Healthy horses are the foundation of our industry. THCA champions evidence-based welfare standards that protect working animals while preserving the professional practices that have defined this trade for generations.

03

Legislative Advocacy

Local overreach threatens our livelihoods. We fight at the Texas Capitol to ensure statewide standards — not patchwork city ordinances — govern how our industry operates.

At the Texas Capitol

Fighting for Your Right to Operate

Local governments have repeatedly attempted to ban or severely restrict horse carriage operations. THCA fights back — at the Capitol, where it counts.

HB 2127
88th Legislature · 2023
Signed into Law

A landmark preemption bill that protects carriage operators from conflicting local ordinances. Established that statewide standards — not city-by-city rules — govern the horse carriage industry, ending the patchwork of local bans that threatened operators across Texas.

View Full Bill at Texas Legislature
HB 5356
89th Legislature · 2025
Active — 89th Session

Building on HB 2127, this bill advances comprehensive statewide standards for the horse carriage industry — ensuring uniform, science-based welfare requirements and clear operational guidelines that protect both animals and operators across all Texas municipalities.

View Full Bill at Texas Legislature

Contact your state representative and let them know you stand with Texas carriage operators.

Find Your Representative
THCA members rallying at City Hall to save horse carriage operations
Our Community

Join the Conversation

"THCA gave us a real seat at the table. When the city tried to ban our operation, we had an association behind us — and we won."

— Texas Carriage Operator, San Antonio

Thousands of Texas carriage operators, caretakers, and horse lovers connect daily on our Facebook community — sharing news, supporting each other, and staying informed on the latest legislative developments.

Membership

Stand With Texas Carriage Operators

THCA membership means legislative advocacy when your city tries to shut you down, a network of fellow operators who have your back, and a unified voice at the Texas Capitol.

What Your Membership Provides

  • Legislative representation at the Texas Capitol
  • Access to legal resources and advocacy support
  • Statewide network of operators and caretakers
  • Industry news, updates, and event access
  • Evidence-based animal welfare guidelines
  • Discounted event registration

Individual Member

For individual operators, caretakers, and horse lovers.

Popular

Business Member

For carriage companies, stables, and industry businesses.

Associate Member

For supporters, vendors, and allies of the industry.

Child feeding a Clydesdale horse through a fence on a Texas ranch

Ready to Join?

Contact us to find the right membership tier for your situation. We'd love to welcome you to the THCA family.

Community

Upcoming Events

Stay connected with THCA events — from Capitol advocacy days to community celebrations of Texas's working horse heritage.

Association Meeting

THCA Annual Membership Meeting

Our annual gathering of THCA members from across the state. Includes board elections, legislative updates, and networking.

TBD — 2026
Austin, TX
Legislative Advocacy

Capitol Day — Operator Advocacy

Join THCA members at the Texas Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for HB 5356 and the future of the carriage industry.

TBD — Legislative Session
Texas Capitol, Austin
Education & Training

Texas Carriage Operators Workshop

A full-day workshop covering welfare best practices, business operations, and regulatory compliance for operators.

TBD — 2026
San Antonio, TX
Community Event

Texas Horse & Carriage Showcase

A public celebration of working horses and the carriage tradition. Open to the public — bring your family.

TBD — Fall 2026
Houston, TX
Get in Touch

Contact THCA

Whether you're interested in membership, have a legislative question, or just want to connect — we'd love to hear from you.

Email
[email protected]

For membership, legislative, and general inquiries

Facebook
Texas Horse Carriage Association

Join our community and stay up to date

Legislative Action

Contact Your State Representative

The most powerful thing you can do right now is contact your Texas state representative and let them know you support HB 5356.

Find Your Representative

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