A carousel with real horses at the Shuangliu Wanda Plaza shopping center in Chengdu, capital of SW China's Sichuan Province, has proved to be controversial. It takes 50 yuan (around $7.25) for a four-minute ride. /VCG Photo

Some netizens say it is so cruel to the animals, especially when considering that they are tied and forced to walk round and round. "You are making money by abusing animals," one social media user commented. /VCG Photo

According to Beijing News, the owner and the operator of the carousel, Shangma Equestrian Club, responded that it is healthy for horses to walk and run every day. But for safety issues, the owner said they have to be tied but there are professional trainers on duty all the time and the horses are treated well. /VCG Photo'

The horses have to work at the carousel for about four hours a day, reports say. /VCG Photo