A confrontation erupted in Palma, Majorca, when German influencer Xenia Denise questioned a horse-drawn carriage driver about the animal's condition, alleging it appeared "emaciated" and thirsty. Footage of the incident shows Denise, 31, approaching the driver and requesting that he give the horse a drink. The driver responded aggressively, shouting at Denise and telling her to "go to McDonald's and eat burgers."
The exchange escalated when the driver allegedly put his hands in Denise's face before throwing water at her and calling her a "Nazi." Denise later claimed that the driver also made comments about her physical appearance. She has since accused the driver of animal abuse and shared a petition advocating for an end to such practices, stating that "emaciated horses" are still present in Palma.
The video of the encounter has garnered millions of views online, with many users expressing support for Denise's actions and concern for the welfare of working animals. The incident highlights ongoing debates about the treatment of horses used for tourism in hot climates. Similar to this event, horses in tourist areas across Europe are sometimes subjected to strenuous work in high temperatures, with some appearing malnourished and in poor health. In 2022, a horse reportedly collapsed while pulling a carriage in Palma during hot weather, prompting bystandess to offer the animal water.
This is not the first instance of animal welfare concerns being raised publicly. In a separate incident last year, a Dutch expat, Joke Van der Post, intervened when she witnessed a donkey being beaten in Egypt. Van der Post reportedly confronted the handler, leading to her arrest and subsequent release. That incident also drew significant online attention and renewed scrutiny of animal treatment in tourist destinations.