Horse and carriage operators are warning against overreaction after the Corporation of Hamilton announced a review following two incidents and 19 injuries in three weeks.

After the second incident, the Corporation announced it was reviewing its options over the use of horse and carriages - after already announcing an extension of a ban on them operating at Harbour Nights.

But last night owners said if the ban was extended it would put their businesses at risk.

Speaking before it was announced that horses are to be banned from the Bermuda Day Parade, Norman Terceira said: “Look at the people who have died in the roads, are you going to ban motorbikes? The horses are a great tourist-attraction.

“It’s not the horse’s fault, it’s the operator’s fault. These incidents aren’t an accident, just carelessness that’s happening.

“Some people make me laugh, because they know nothing about horses and the newspapers write it all down.

“There were horses in a cross-country race in Greece last year, in 115 degrees, galloping for 26 miles over jumps, but everyone says that’s nice and alright.

“If a sudden noise or sight frightens a horse, it will jump. And, if there’s no one there with it, to hold its reins, it will be terrified and run.

“What about the cars, bikes and trucks? If the brakes fail in a car while you’re going down a hill and you can’t stop it, the car will cause more damage than a horse.

“At least with a horse, you can stop it by simply pulling its reins.”

Earlston Astwood, 72, has worked with horses since the age of 11 and resents any plans for extra limits — which he believes would have adverse affects on city tourism and cause losses.

He suggested that some people are just misinformed, after “two little incidents” that are still rare in Bermuda, he said.

“If horses are further restricted or even banned — what will the tourists have to do now? People are already talking about tourists not having anything to do,” he alarmed.

When asked what can be done to prevent further incidents of runaway horses, he added: “All the drivers have to do, is make sure the animal is secure when they get out of the carriage.

“Some drivers get out of their carriage and engage in a conversation with someone and find that their horse is gone, instead of standing in front of it and keeping a close eye on it.

“Horse and carriages were here long before cars and bikes and if it is banned, they might as well ban cars and bikes too.”

A spokesperson for the Corporation of Hamilton said a meeting on the matter will happen sometime next week and declined further comment.