Shamrock Stables, not long for W. 45th Street

Demolition is under way at the building that was Shamrock Stables. It was kept running for years with a $55,000 monthly subsidy from the city. This, at a time of painful cuts to budgets, agencies, and programs.

The city supports the industry and overlooks its numerous violations of law regarding the care of the horses, fares, and other aspects of the cash-only industry.

After several threats of closure, the stable shut down on June 7, 2010. Most of the horses were crammed into other city stables, which already had substandard stall sizes. Some other Shamrock horses almost certainly didn't fare as well. The same day of the closing, a trailer from Shamrock was seen in New Holland, Pa., at the auction, where "kill buyers" buy horses for meat.

Strike up a conversation about horses

Dog tags are here!
Show your support for a ban on horse-drawn carriages by wearing a dog tag embossed with the name of a current or former New York City carriage horse. Great conversation starters! Some tags honor a working carriage horse (Scarlett, Romeo, Trottolino, and Prince) and others immortalize certain horses that were casualties of the job (Smoothie, Juliet, and Spotty). Your tag will have either the working carriage horse's ID#, or the former carriage horse's date of death and the letters "R.I.P." All tags have the URL for the website of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages (NYC), which is making the tags available. These are great gifts and wonderful to wear.
Each dog tag includes an 18-inch bead-chain (you can also attach your tag to a keychain). Each tag is $10. Your purchase shows the world your support of a ban on horse-drawn carriages in NYC, and it also helps the horses by making possible the work of the coalition. PayPal or check accepted. To get your dog tag, click here to make a donation to the Coalition via PayPal (be sure to specify that you want to receive a dog tag).