The city of Mobile has updated its horse rider requirements for upcoming Mardi Gras parades following safety concerns raised after a horse collapsed during the 2024 parade. Changes include shifting from requiring riders to submit veterinarian exam certificates well in advance to having city staff evaluate horse health on parade day. Riders who own and frequently ride their horses will now only need to complete riding evaluations once every three years, while occasional riders renting horses must still be evaluated annually. Additionally, riders under 16 are now required to wear helmets, and all riders must submit a weight declaration form to ensure horses are not carrying more than 25% of their body weight, with spot checks planned.

The city has also enhanced its equine welfare oversight by training staff in equine welfare investigations and is monitoring the spread of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1), which has caused rodeo cancellations in other states. Mobile will follow guidance from the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, which reports no cases of EHV-1 in Alabama but has issued monitoring recommendations for horses that recently participated in events in Texas and Oklahoma. These measures aim to improve horse safety and welfare during the Mardi Gras festivities.