Parade Horse License

Parade Horse License and Hip Tag

The 2025 Mardi Gras season requires that all horses particpating in a parade wear a Hip Tag. Hip Tags can only be applied for through the Louisiana SPCA.

The City of New Orleans Ordinances for the 2025 season

Sec. 34-21.1. – Horses participating in a carnival parade.

All horses participating in a carnival parade shall have a current physical hip tag from the agency designated by the city to maintain its animal control program under chapter 18. The hip tag shall be displayed on the horse at all times during the carnival parade or the pendency of the carnival parade. To qualify for a hip tag, in addition to any requirements required by the city’s animal control agency, horses shall have a current health certification from a licensed veterinarian and current vaccinations against Eastern and Western Encephalitis; Tetanus; EHV 1 and EHV4 Herpes; West Nile; Influenza; Strangles; and Rabies.

(M.C.S., Ord. No. 30002, § 2, 7-25-24)

Application Form

Instructions on how to apply for a Hip Tag/ Parade Horse License

• Make an appointment with your horse’s veterinarian to schedule annual vaccinations required in the law
• Instruct your veterinarian that you need this above form filled out
• Submit the form to mbacchus@laspca.org
• There will be $150 cost associated with the Horse Hip Tag. $50 is for the Hip Tag, which must be displayed at all times during the parade. $100 is for a health certificate, as required by the updated ordinance.