No life for a horse

Animal suffering is not a tourist attraction
There are a number of similarities between the horse-drawn carriage industries in Charleston and New York City. Namely, both are politically entrenched, which further illustrates the sad divide between the way things are and the way things should be. Horse-drawn carriages should not be a political issue in these 21st-century cities.

"Earthvegan" blogger Vaishali is the latest to point out an uncivil and troubling disregard for animal suffering, coupled with an alarming cognitive dissonance that must be at work to enable these industries to exist. She writes of a visit to Charleston, where she witnessed the miserable spectacle of a carriage horse pulling 17 tourists around. She also calls out New York City, where the industry is fast gaining notoriety for its multistory stables and dangerous and inhumane working conditions. The one glimmer of hope in this story is that bad news travels as well as good news. Maybe even better.
Photo: From "If Horses Had Wishes"/earthvegan.blogspot.com
Related: "Horse-code violations" (The Post and Courier)
"Horse Pulling Carriage Falls" (The Post and Courier)
"Blinders," the award-winning documentary about NYC's carriage industry
Learn more: Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages-NYC

Managing to extinction

Take Action to stop the Bureau of Land Management unwise plan to remove as many as 70 horses from Cloud's herd in the Pryor Mountains. This ill-advised plan, which is scheduled to begin around September 1, will threaten the very existence of the herd and any genetic viability for future survival. The BLM apparently is ignoring all guidance from the public as well as from a noted equine geneticist.
The Cloud Foundation is asking for your help: "Call and email President Obama and Vice President Biden and tell them that you do not want a misguided agency destroying America's wild horses. Call 201-456-9000 or 202-456-1111, or write. Tell them to intervene on behalf of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd! The BLM appears to be on a rampage to manage wild horses to extinction."
Ginger has said that rounded-up horses could well end up in the hands of "kill buyers." Please take action to stop this ill-advised and reckless plan that is a consequence of bureaucratic mismanagement.
Also see a related video from Ginger Kathrens on the proposed roundup. Cloud and his family are at risk, along with dozens of others.

Working Families Party Mayoral Forum

Too important to miss!
Tony Avella is the people's choice!
Here is the Working Families Party Mayoral Forum webcast in its entirety. Michael R. Bloomberg is up first. Your patience will be rewarded when you hear New York City's wealthiest citizen stammer [cue in to 1:04] that "I made every dime that I have." It's precious. NEXT! Tony Avella follows, and the juxtaposition is very interesting. As we heard from those who were in attendance, and as you can see in viewing the webcast, the energy in the room was electrifying when Tony fielded questions--and he never minces any words. The applause tells the story. Comptroller William C. Thompson was next. Slick and well-rehearsed, as the story goes. He said something but I don't remember what it was.
[Viewing note: Fast-forward the video by opening a full-screen view, and cueing in by clicking on the horizontal nav bar at the bottom of the control panel.]
July 2, 2009

It happened in New York City

The New York City carriage industry doesn't want tourists to know the truth about the way the horses live and die. One driver in particular is very vocal in shouting down activists, who sometimes show photographic evidence of some of the horses who have died on the job in New York City. Don't be surprised if you see a driver denying the number of horse fatalities, saying they didn't happen in New York, or otherwise decrying as propaganda the facts that are well-documented. These drivers are banking on the ignorance of tourists, most of whom know nothing of the sad history of this industry.

For the sake of balance, this photo by Vito Torelli reminds of a terrible day--and a terrible summer--in New York City history. The August 26, 1991, headline in Newsday read: "Death of Carriage Horse Probed, Same Owner Had One Die 2 Weeks Ago," and the newspaper reported that colic was the presumptive cause in both cases. The New York Times reported the story of the horse who collapsed in Central Park under the headline: "Carriage Horse Treated, Killed, Left for Sanitation Men."

Colic is a leading cause of death for all horses, and particularly for overworked and underwatered carriage horses. They face great danger every day on busy streets, and their health suffers greatly in a number of ways. The very few fortunate horses who are rescued at auction after they can no longer turn a profit are generally in very poor condition, but surely grateful to escape the end-of-the-line auctions where the killer buyers are standing by.

Are you ready for your close-up?

Activist alert: If you do anything to help New York City's carriage horses, be forewarned: You will likely be harassed by the carriage industry. YouTube member "HorsesinNYC" shows individuals being photographed without their consent as they entered a recent meeting at the Bar Association of the City of New York, on 44th Street in midtown Manhattan. Creepy but predictable.

The meeting was an expert panel discussion titled "Yay or Neigh: Should the Carriage Horse Industry Be Banned in NYC?" Carriage industry representatives declined opportunities to take part.
New York City carriage horses suffer greatly, especially during the steamy summer months. The horses are worked hard in searing heat, and with inadequate water. There is no consideration for humidity in the law, which is roundly ignored anyway.

From the "wish I wrote it" department

One activist's account
I am humbled after reading one woman's account of the Mother's Day demonstration outside of Central Park. This blogger, "The Feminist Texican," really tells it like it is. "Like hell I'm letting this one go," she explains in a better-late-than-never post that details the sexual harassment that carriage drivers are allowed to spew with impunity. Read her excellent post, "The Sexual Politics of Meat[heads]."
Also interesting is one commenter's remark that complaint should be sent to Demos Demopoulos, of the Teamsters union (Local 553). Another great idea! Contact information:
Demos Demopoulos
Secretary-Treasurer
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
265 W. 14th Street, Suite 509
New York, NY 10011

Phone: 212-229-9754 OR 212-929-6828

Photo courtesy of HFA

Related video from YouTube member HorsefeathersNYC

Mother's Day demonstration

Some things never change. Insults and intimidation from carriage drivers were the order of the day at a peaceful demonstration last weekend, but the activists carried on. They're used to it. I just received this video of the very successful event. I'm told that a number of tourists decided not to take a ride after getting more information about this industry and learning about the plight of the horses. I hope these people spread the word!
The infamous "ponytail guy" driver can be seen and heard in this clip. Kind of funny and pathetic.
Video courtesy of YouTube member "HorsefeathersNYC"
For optimal quality viewing, click twice on the video and see it on YouTube.