The Protego Foundation Launches “Release the Reins” Campaign

by · February 25, 2025

The Protego Foundation, a non-profit organization that takes inspiration from the wizarding world to fight for real-life change, has announced its next campaign. The foundation is best known within the fandom for its work to include vegan options, including butterbeer, at Wizarding World experiences but will now embark on a whole new journey.

The foundation recently launched “Release the Reins,” which aims to break down the negative working environment of the horse-drawn carriage industry. The campaign points out the long hours horses work in hot conditions and crowded environments, suggesting that these conditions are even harsher considering that horses are prey animals by nature.

Currently, the main action of the campaign is to ask Harry Potter fans, as well as fans of other franchises, to pledge to boycott horse-drawn carriages. Further goals include pushing cities to move to electric carriages rather than their horse-drawn equivalents.

 

Harry and Luna meeting a thestral.

 

The Protego Foundation takes inspiration from the Thestrals that pull the carriages from the Hogwarts Express to the school itself. Thestrals are skeletal, winged horses that can be seen only by those who have witnessed death. The campaign links these creatures with the horses who are suffering from the industry, asking why horse-drawn carriages are even necessary in either world, especially when there are so many other options available.

When there are so many other forms of transportation – from brooms and boats to trains and taxis – why should living beings be made to pull heavy equipment and humans from place to place?

Executive director of the Protego Foundation Kathryn Henzler stated, “Many fans of the wizarding world have a soft spot for the misunderstood Thestrals” after Luna introduces them to Harry in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She continued, “We see the parallels between the plight of their treatment in the wizarding world and the abusive treatment of horses in our world.”

Will you be joining the Protego Foundation in its stance against this industry?

 

Press Release

THE PROTEGO FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW
“RELEASE THE REINS” CAMPAIGN WITH VALENTINE’S DAY
PLEDGE AGAINST HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES

BOULDER, Colorado— The Protego Foundation has launched a new campaign to combat the cruel horse-drawn carriage industry called “Release the Reins.” As the first step of the campaign, they are asking fans of the Wizarding World and other magical franchises to pledge to abstain from riding in horse-drawn carriages.

As prey animals, horses are constantly on the lookout for danger. No matter their training background, they can spook when caught off guard. Crowded, cement-covered environments are unnatural to these timid and tolerant creatures, whose primary desires are to run free and graze with their herd. The ability to breathe fresh air, walk on grass and soil, and have constant access to food and water should not be withheld from any horse. But horses used for pulling carriages are forced to work for long hours, often during hot weather and in conditions that no horse would ever be found in if given the choice.

In the wizarding world, Thestrals are skeletal, winged equines who can only be seen by those who have seen death. Like horses, Thestrals are sensitive and often misunderstood. And, also like horses, Thestrals are used to pull carriages.

The Protego Foundation’s “Release the Reins” campaign draws a comparison between real-life horses and their fictional Thestral counterparts and asks, “When there are so many other forms of transportation - from brooms and boats to trains and taxis - why should living beings be made to pull heavy equipment and humans from place to place?”

Of the campaign, Kathryn Henzler, Executive Director of The Protego Foundation, said, “Many fans of the Wizarding World have a soft spot for the misunderstood Thestrals, just like Luna and Harry. We see the parallels between the plight of their treatment in the Wizarding World and the abusive treatment of horses in our world, and we have the power to do something about it.”

For more information about the campaign and to support The Protego Foundation’s work to help magical (and non-magical) creatures, visit protegofoundation.org.

Neave Williamson

I've been a proud Slytherin for as long as I can remember, and love taking inspiration from the Wizarding World for short films.