A German influencer has confronted a horse-drawn carriage driver in Palma, Majorca, after claiming one of his animals appeared severely underweight and needed water. Footage shows Xenia Denise, 31, standing beside the horse and repeatedly pleading: “Just give him something to drink.”
The exchange quickly became heated, with the driver filmed throwing water over Ms Denise while continuing to record the confrontation on his mobile phone.
Ms Denise, who shared the video online, said she approached the carriage in the city centre after becoming concerned about the horse’s condition in the hot weather. The animal’s ribs appear prominently visible in the footage as it stands harnessed to the tourist carriage.
The driver is also heard insulting the German visitor and calling her a “Nazi” during the argument. Ms Denise has alleged that he made further derogatory remarks before throwing the contents of a bottle in her face.
Palma council investigates horse carriage incident
Palma City Council has opened an information-gathering investigation into the incident. Its mobility department is examining the circumstances before deciding whether any action should be taken against the driver or the carriage operator.
The council said it would not tolerate behaviour incompatible with the obligations imposed on those running the city’s horse-carriage service, adding that appropriate measures would follow once the facts had been established.
The president of the local carriage association, Manuel Vargas, has apologised for throwing the water, while also claiming that the confrontation followed provocation. He said the driver’s conduct was wrong, but maintained that the woman had accused the operators of mistreating animals.
The association has nevertheless said that drivers should maintain a professional attitude when disputes arise. The episode has renewed scrutiny of Palma’s traditional tourist carriages and the treatment of horses working in the city.
