Hazards of the Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry
Published July 28, 2011
Flickr User robonline
Despite their majesty, horse-drawn carriages present many hazards to both horses and their riders.
Despite their majesty, the popular tourist industry of horse-drawn carriages yields many hazards to horses that have been shown to put horses in danger.
Since I was a little girl, I have been passionate about horses. But as I lived in Manhattan, the only contact I had with them was getting a ride on the back of a pony, to get my picture taken. The pony was led by the owner, with me sitting in the saddle, smiling from ear to ear as we trotted up and down the sidewalk in front of the apartment house in which I lived.
I was thrilled when my parents sent me to a summer camp in Massachusetts, where horseback riding lessons were a major activity. At the end of summer, I would count the days until I could return to camp to spend another two months with these magnificent equines that had completely stolen my heart.
But the day a friend suggested we go horseback riding in Central Park changed my life. I wasn’t aware such a fabulous resource existed practically in my neighborhood. So off we went to Claremont Riding Academy, a historic institution that sadly no longer exists.
Even though it had been years ago, since I had months of lessons, I considered myself a skilled equestrian, telling the stable manager I was capable of handling a horse on the bridle paths in Central Park. But the two horses that Judy and I rented for an hour were far more capable of handling ignorant riders. So when we stopped at a traffic light, the two savvy school horses swiftly pirouetted, galloping back to the stable, down the ramp into their stalls with Judy and I clinging to their necks for dear life. Slightly shaken and embarrassed I immediately signed up for 10 private lessons.
I met and got to take care of some of the New York City carriage horses stabled at Claremont Riding Academy. Being naïve and ignorant about the abuse that carriage horses often experience, occasionally I hired a horse-drawn carriage for a “charming” ride through Central Park.
But years later I learned the facts about the horrific plight of these beautiful animals, and the dangers and risks to which they are daily subjected. According to the Horses Without Carriages International website, New York City carriage horses may lawfully work 9 hours in a 24 hour period for 7 days a week- even during the height of rush hour. They stand for long periods of time on hot pavement. New York City asphalt pavements can reach up to a melting 200 degrees with no shade available on the hack line on Central Park South.
According to the Daily News, on Monday night, July 25, three tourists received minor injuries and the 70-year-old driver was in critical condition following the collision of a yellow taxi-cab with a carriage on the edge of Central Park. The horse was knocked to the street and also hurt, but was able to return to the stable. This is the second accident in which carriage horses were involved in less than 10 days. The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages continues its tireless work, seeking legislation to ban horse-carriages in New York City. This industry is both highly dangerous and inhumane. Folks wishing to volunteer or contribute, visit http://www.banhdc.org/.
What is your opinion about carriage horses in New York City? Share them in a comment.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (11)
The carriages are SUPPOSED to have the right lane to themselves, and indeed 50% of the standard ride is on a dedicated carriage lane, perpendicular to the zoo. As for traveling in traffic to and from the stables, more than half the horses in the city live in the 52nd St barn, just 10 blocks from the Park (7 north and 3 east.) The other horses travel from W48th, W38th, and W37th. We have 68 carriages leaving and returning from the stables TWICE a day, the day and night shifts (different drivers/horses.) In the last 25 years, that makes 3 MILLION trips back and forth, and we have had only ONE equine fatality due to an accident in transit to the barn (Spotty, 2006) , and no human fatalities. Any reasonable person would agree that this is an extraordinary safety record for ANY equine pursuit. 100 people got hit and killed in NYC just last year. So no matter what it may look like to the casual observer, our trips back and forth to our barns are extremely safe.
CARRIAGES AT THE HACKLINE There are definite modifications that could be made for the comfort of the horse and safety for all involved at our hacklines. We have been asking for hitching posts for 25 YEARS, the city has refused. In recent years, the city has totally neglected oversight of tour buses, limos, hot dog stands, and street vendors, and we have been forced to negotiate our way around them as they encroach on our legal spots. We periodically bring up shade shelters, we are told no way. But as it is, about 50% of our designated spots are in tree shade. The horses have access to constantly running water troughs not once, but TWICE on every ride. Every driver carries a bucket and a wrench or hydrant key for opening fire hydrants in an emergency, and it is legal for us to do so.
The horses in the NYC carriage industry are only a few generations removed from the everyday working horse in NYC, such as the milk wagon horse who stopped and started by himself along the route. Our guys are jaded, blue collar, work-a-day types; we don't use traditional "carriage" types, we have drafts, draft Xs, and STBs. They all fit the bill perfectly - the ones that don't, don't stay. We are proactive in every way possible -- we FORCED the city last year to obey its own 1989 law by finally assembling a Horse Advisory Committee, and we participate fully.
We are always open to concerns and suggestions from HORSEPEOPLE who acknowledge our right to exist; however, the lunatic animal rights people will NEVER have a say in our industry until they pry the lines from our cold, dead hands.
-Eva Hughes, VP NY Horse & Carriage Assoc
Wie ein Profi-Tarif verglichen wird.
Wie ein Profi-Tarif verglichen wird.
We were back in NYC two years ago Christmas and at that time we took one of those bicycle taxi's thru Central Park. There were carriages but I refuse to ride in them and contribute to the suffering of the horses. We were told at the time that they law was changing and they would no longer allow the horse drawn carraiges. That was 2 years ago. What is taking so long. They do not belong there anymore..its just too dangerous and bad for the poor animals.
We were back in NYC two years ago Christmas and at that time we took one of those bicycle taxi's thru Central Park. There were carraiges but I refuse to ride in them and contribute to the suffering of the horses. We were told at the time that they law was changing and they would no longer allow the horse drawn carraiges. That was 2 years ago. What is taking so long. They do not belong there anymore..its just too dangerous and bad for the poor animals.