RICHMOND'S bold plan to open the season with a parade of horses at the MCG has been cancelled after hiccups during their rehearsal on Wednesday.

The Tigers had planned to rock the MCG with Daryl Braithwaite singing his anthem The Horses, accompanied by four horses, which would be ridden around the synthetic turf at the edge of the playing field. 

However, the horses repeatedly veered off course during their rehearsal and there were no guarantees they could be kept off the MCG's hallowed turf if the performance went ahead.

Melbourne Cricket Club spokesperson Shane Brown told The Age the AFL, Richmond and the MCC had a lack of confidence in the horses to play their role. 

The Tigers' plan had been criticised by fans this week, but Braithwaite's performance of his 1990 hit song, and the quarter and three-quarter time break sing-along will still go ahead. 

There were no other late changes ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster season opener.