Parades are exciting. Children are delighted at all the sights, sounds, and the opportunity to do something different. Parents are lulled into peaceful reverie by the distraction the winding procession creates for their offspring. Organizers are frazzled by the last minute changes, conflicts, and inevitable problems. Participants, both human and animal, are energized and sometimes agitated by the crowd, noises, and unexpected events.

It is vitally important that coordinators have an understanding of basic horse behavior and techniques to minimize the stress on equine participants. The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) guidelines for parade organizers and equine parade entries can be a starting point for successful integration of horses, riders, and drivers into parades but are not a substitute for the exercise of reasonable care.

Event organizers should be mindful to design parade routes and organize participants so that the animals in the parade are as far as possible from the bands, fire trucks, and other extremely noisy and quickly moving entrants.

The KHC recommends all equine parade entries be accompanied by side walkers, at least one per every four horses and one for every carriage or hitch. The side walker is placed between the horse and the spectators, so that they can intercede, in an act to protect spectators, if a horse misbehaves. Side walkers should be supplied by the equine participants, not the parade management. The side walker is a qualified horse handler, assigned to specific horses and responsible for monitoring safety. Special attention should be given to safe tack and handling equipment