Take a look. You don't have to own horses or be a veterinarian to see that this is a problem, which is the gist of a comment on a YouTube video that shows New York City carriage horses. One commenter wrote: "Oh my god.. look at the bits in the horses mouth those are probably killing their mouths, they should use lighter bits." Indeed. Video by YouTube member "PitytheHorses"
The recent hearing at City Hall on two bills affecting New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry was long and, at times, contentious. YouTube user PitytheHorses keeps us laughing, though, with this excerpt from the testimony of carriage driver Frank Rodden. He is a horseman. How do we know? Because he told us so, repeatedly! Especially humorous is his dismissal of bloggers and other online pursuits, such as YouTube. Rodden informs us that horses are his life, not just something he "does" for 30 minutes in front of a computer screen. No blogger is he, we're told, though he is handy with a computer. This is a man who must be online at least three hours a day. So well known, in fact, is Rodden that he is frequently referred to as "the ponytail guy" in the blogosphere and YouTube realms. View Rodden's full testimony Video by Anthony Speziale Note: For optimal viewing, click twice on the video and view it on YouTube.
Images from Manhattan on a day of global action: "Horses Without Carriages International." The initiative brought people out in various cities to publicize the plight of the carriage horses, advocate for bans, and engage in educational outreach. A very successful and invigorating event at Central Park! Council Member and mayoral candidate Tony Avella, who introduced a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City, spoke briefly and passionately about this blight on the city. Many people shared their support for a ban and wanted to get involved with ongoing work to get the word out. A high-impact message for people to "Pity the Poor Horses" and work for a ban. Click on the photo to see more images
Call 311 to report overcharging [Note: rates have gone up]
Number of animals killed in the world by the meat, dairy and egg industries, since you opened this webpage. This does not include the billions of fish and other aquatic animals killed annually.
Chris writes: "To-day I was on a bus going through part of central park west when I spotted a horse leaning its head against a fire hydrant looking tired and depressed ... cruelty at its best." Friends of Animals website
Lawyers weigh in for the horses
The New York City Bar Association supports Intro. 658, Tony Avella's bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC, and opposes an industry bill that would further erode accountability. Read a summary statement that discusses both bills.
Lawyers support ban
New York City Bar Association opposes industry bill, supports a full ban. Read more
She'll vacation elsewhere...
We are a family of five, we live in Toronto...the horse-drawn carriages are one reason why we haven't been to NYC since seeing animals suffering would ruin our vacation. A few years ago we went to Chicago without knowing that Chicago had horse-drawn carriages. It was a SAD sight and we vowed never to visit another city where horses are being used in this way.
The blogger Ryan J. Davis recounts what he saw on the day that poor young Spotty died, in January 2006:
"I stood outside of VYNL Diner waiting for my lunch date in early January 2006. I looked up ninth avenue and saw a horse-drawn carriage, speeding out of control, heading downtown. The driver couldn't get the horse to slow and, as it approached fiftieth Street, they slammed into a passing car. The driver was thrown from the carriage and was badly injured. The horse ended up under the car. It was a shocking sight that I won't soon forget.
Should horse-drawn carriages be banned in New York City
This is it! Another horse suffering a needless and horrifying death. I will never visit New York again until horse-carriages are banned. I urge everyone to call or write the Mayor of New York and tell him he will be losing a lot of tourism dollars because of this. Marcela D's comment on the Web site of the Toronto Humane Society, in September 2007 following the death of the NYC carriage horse Smoothie.
"Another Horse is Dead" (Clancy, February 2008)
Read an article from the Toronto Humane Society following the Feb. 7, 2008 death of Clancy, a New York carriage horse. It asks a pointed question: “Mayor Bloomberg, you've cut off these poor horses from city water, where are they getting their water from???”
The more things change...
the more they remain the same. Read a letter published in 1992 by The New York Times. It's been 16 years since the taxi driver wrote this letter, and we see the same problems today.
Heat wave 2008
Have a heart, don't take a ride
Dontcha wonder...
Who is Ian McKeever always talking to on that silly cell phone, in traffic?
The horses need your help
Volunteer today!
Noise? What noise?
Horse in traffic on 11th Ave
A horsewoman's view
"It’s torture, pure and simple and has gone on for years and years. Just see the videos of their pathetic stables." Yvonne, commenting on the Central Park Blog about New York City carriage horses
Blinders
About the documentary
West Side Livery
carriage horses' home
No break from the bits
Photo: Lincoln Karim
Left alone in the rain...
and the line was closed!
Carriage Horses Suffering
Read an expert opinion on the plight of NYC carriage horses. Holly Cheever, DVM, writes of "unexplained deaths" and "grim conditions."
Highlights of the comptroller's audit
High incidence of misidentifications. The same ID# referring to different horses each year is evidence of "switching" horses--or very bad record-keeping.
Etelka said: "Shame on NYC, one of the most beautiful cities in the world in my opinion. It would be nice if NYC would take a stand on cruelty to animals as many people look to NY and its residents as exemplars. Take a stand, NYC, and stop this cruelty. People should picket. New York City Horse Carriage Blog post on the Web site of the Toronto Humane Society (1/29/08)
Carry On Without Them
”Another N.Y. carriage horse death underscores the need for a city-wide ban on carriage horses,” a Humane Society of the United States news release says following the death in February 2008 of Clancy.
Tradition or Cruelty?
Nationwide, it's impossible to know how many work-related horse deaths have happened over the years; many aren't reported publicly, and carriage operators are wary of bad press. Whatever the number, animal advocates and medical professionals agree on one thing: an urban setting is not the place for horse-drawn carriages. Newsweek Web exclusive (2007)
Recognizing the dangers to the horses and the threats to public safety, numerous Florida cities (Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Key West, Treasure Island, and Panama City Beach) have banned horse-drawn carriages. Why shouldn't this happen in New York?
Horses Spook
"In a split second, you can have a horse go from being half asleep to being 1,200 pounds crashing through traffic.” Holly Cheever, DVM
Take a look. You don't have to own horses or be a veterinarian to see that this is a problem, which is the gist of a comment on a YouTube video that shows New York City carriage horses. One commenter wrote: "Oh my god.. look at the bits in the horses mouth those are probably killing their mouths, they should use lighter bits." Indeed.
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