Historic Legislation To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages To Be Announced at City Hall Press Conference and Rally

On December 7, 2007, Marcy wrote:

This is great news! After visiting Chicago this year and seeing the suffering of carriage horses, I vowed never to visit a city that had this “attraction”. I hope to be able to go to New York very soon!

On December 10, 2007, Gay Kepple wrote:

The idea of banning horse drawn carriages is so absurd. If you know horses at all, you know that horses(or any animal for that matter) love to have a job to do. As long as they are well fed & cared for & have the proper shoes, these animals love the attention that people give them & they love doing their jobs. It actually enhances their lives by giving them social interaction & keeps them from just standing alone & bored in a stall. It also builds muscle tone & for some older horses gives them a light duty job. If I saw a carriage horse skinny & abused, then I would turn the owner in, but most of these people take very good care of their horses & the horse is actually part of the family. Why don’t you concentrate on people that fight dogs or roosters & then leave them to die when they can’t fight anymore. Or people that leave animals outside neglected with no shelter or food.

On December 10, 2007, Dustin wrote:

“The idea of banning horse drawn carriages is so absurd. If you know horses at all, you know that horses(or any animal for that matter) love to have a job to do.”

Really? Did a horse ever tell you of loving and adoring being enslaved by humans?

“As long as they are well fed & cared for & have the proper shoes, these animals love the attention that people give them & they love doing their jobs. It actually enhances their lives by giving them social interaction & keeps them from just standing alone & bored in a stall.”

Agreed. A horse would be bored in a stall. That’s why they don’t belong there either.

“It also builds muscle tone & for some older horses gives them a light duty job. If I saw a carriage horse skinny & abused, then I would turn the owner in, but most of these people take very good care of their horses & the horse is actually part of the family. Why don’t you concentrate on people that fight dogs or roosters & then leave them to die when they can’t fight anymore. Or people that leave animals outside neglected with no shelter or food.”

A respectful view—-what we’re aiming for here—-of animals entails viewing them beyond the narcissism and egocentricity of human possession and domination. We are not attempting to “concentrate” on any particular animal, as humans behave as though ALL animals exist to satisfy our whims; we are trying to concentrate on all of them. Some day I hope you will, too.

Dustin
Friends of Animals

On December 11, 2007, Tony wrote:

Are you kidding me? We have those here and St.Louis and I’ve rode them a few times and it’s always fun.I finally took my 3 yr old daughter on one and she loved it.This ban won’t last in New York.

[Blog editors’ note: You might be surprised one day when your daughter is mature and reminisces: “Once upon a time, we thought horses existed on Earth to for the purpose of pulling us, day and night, through the streets of towns and cities. We treated them as we treated most of the other beings we saw around us: of value only with reference to our own use or pleasure. We didn’t think they had their own plans and preferences, or that they might possibly exist on the planet as fully whole beings, communities unto themselves. After all, they are only animals, we said. My, how we’ve grown since then.”]

On December 13, 2007, Jessi wrote:

I have my own horse who knows how to carriage drive and she loves it. She used to be a broodmare who’s owner hated her, so we bought her, taught her how to pull a carriage. Everytime we go to harness her up, she wickers and can’t wait to get out of her stall(we don’t even tie her, she stands perfectly still on her own.)

FoA comments:

If you were locked in your room most of your life, you probably couldn’t wait to get out either.

On December 20, 2007, Marcy wrote:

The nerve of some people to pretend to know when animals are “happy”!

On December 28, 2007, Peter Hood wrote:

It always amuses me, that people will insist that animals are “happy” simply because they have been fed, (and oftentimes, even less than that), as if they could talk to them, or in fact, had ever dedicated more than a moment to even think about the absurdity and insult of such a position. This is the same mindset that postures that elephants (who are beaten to train them to perform, and who spend 23 hours a day chained) are “happy” and well cared for as they lead lives in slavery for Feld Entertainment. These horses lead miserable lives in dark stalls at night, and work all day. The common neglect has been well documented, even as it is hidden from public view (has the poster above, ever visited the animal quarters?). An occasional pat from a patron doesn’t amount to much. Remember, not long ago, many insisted they were “happy” and well cared for long before the current regulations limiting their endless work hours during heat waves in the city, when “happy” horses were collapsing on the street from fatique and dehydration. Often, their owners are patronized by visitors to the city who have no regard for even minimal animal welfare as a cultural issue. To insist that these animals are “happy” and well cared for is an insult to anyone possessing common sense and even a strongly tempered sense of decency.

On January 5, 2008, Fabiano Muner wrote:

This is wonderful news! I only hope that this same thing can be repeated in Philadelphia. While a ride on a horse drawn carriage can indeed be romantic, we have no way of knowing for sure how these animals are being treated.

On January 8, 2008, kenzie wrote:

if you don’t intend to have horses in stalls may i ask what you would like done w/ them? i believe that horses and other domesticated animals are better off w/ a job to do then left w/ no mental stimulation.

On January 16, 2008, slaverysucks wrote:

Here we go again, pretending to know what’s best for a horse.

On January 23, 2008, Sarah wrote:

I dont know, I have mixed feelings. I went to NYC in early December and when I saw them i felt bad. Maybe a once in a while time thing wouldnt be bad, but I seen these horses getting horns blared at them and they are probably workings hours at a time, they are probably exhausted. I dont think they should be constantly being worked in the city hours on end, but thats just me.

[Blog editors’ note: What gives anyone the impression horses were put on earth to be lugging people around on city streets? Horses are not bicycles, or other vehicles, and it’s high time we adjusted our thinking about what we’re entitled to do just because we’ve dominated the planet for so long.

On February 17, 2008, Janice wrote:

Horses have been around as long as people there were probably thousands of Horses in N Y C around the early 1900 and also some other animals. We the human animals have pushed them into a corner and now we are justifying it by trying to help and think for them.

It is sad that If I wanted to have a horse for pleasure, there are ordinances where you can’t have one; who is the government that say’s that we can’t have these animals. They have been in America as long as the Indians (Who also was pushed aside) by the way but at least they can fight for themselves.
With these Gas prices, I would rather have a horse then a car and there would not be any pollution in the air…ever think about that

Ban cars get the horses back on the road they deserve it. They were here long before the automobile and then the auto took over….

Humankind other problems Bear and Deer …

Well if we the people of the country stop building and let the animals live there life they would not be a problem, we are thieves we take there homes and food problem? Wouldn’t you say animal lovers Stop the building Stop the air pollution Stop the government from taking the land away from nature. This is the problem not some horse in central park or on 52nd street in NYC come on people it is bigger then that….Fight for each and every one of us to have one of these great Friend.

Thank you for Listening,

Janice

On March 10, 2008, John wrote:

Yes we have dominated the planet for a long time and as the dominate species we can and do what we want. Unlike other species, however, “man” makes decisions about what he will or will not do. Horses are domesticated, this is a fact, they are part of our society and will remain so. I do not know if they are happy or not but I believe that the ones I own are. They play they run they crave attention and return affection. If I were to follow your view then I would open the gates and let them br “Free” - what a totally ignorant concept. Nothing is free anymore except maybe the vermin who thrive in our cities. All animals are caged to some extent. Letting loose a million horses with no place to be, no food and no water would be the cruelest thing that I can imagine. Where the Mack truck would be the largest predator and we would be driving around the carcases of dead and mutilated animals daily. Please - unless you plan on killing off a few billion people so that nature can be pure again stop this stupidity.

One last thought - since man has evolved on this planet are we not part of nature to.

On March 11, 2008, Dave Shishkoff wrote:

John - thank you for your contribution to our blog, and your efforts to care for animals.

I’m curious where you get the impression that we want to ‘set all the horses free’ from? I don’t believe Friends of Animals has ever advocated this.

Just as we wouldn’t want all the domesticated cats and dogs set loose, neither would we want to do this to other domesticated species that are dependent on us. It’s certainly our responsibility, however, to care for them. (And caring is something very different from exploiting - using a horse to pull a carriage in a city is clearly exploitative, where keeping a rescued horse in a large field, and generally leaving the horse be, is entirely different.)

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify this issue,

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent

Friends of Animals

On June 18, 2008, Tamera wrote:

I have owned horses most of my live. For a while I lived on a ranch where my horses had over 3000 acres of grass, ponds and cans of water everywhere. They didn’t need me much. Every morning they were waiting by the front gate close to the house, nickering at me for attention. I walked out there with a halter to start our day, none of them ran, in fact the problem was I only had one halter and five horses trying to stick thier heads in it. I could never have caught them out there on foot or in a truck. None of them had ever been beaten into submission, they were in a very large field and left to thier own devices and still wanted my attention and to go to work. I have also had a horse that was in a 10 acre grass pasture, plenty of water and other horses for company jump a fence to come with me when she saw me riding out on another horse. In those ways they told me they like me and our jobs.

FoA comments:

What you see as your horses’ desire to work, has not been put to a fair test. Instead of making your horses work, why not play with them instead? You are exploiting your horses for your economic advantage — something your horses have no say (nor nay) over, no matter how you choose to spin it.

By the way, carriage horses do not have 3,000 acres to roam and are put to work every day under dangerous conditions.

On June 29, 2008, kelley wrote:

it’s high time. i am always amazed at the stupidity of people who still believe that whole concept of ‘dominion over the animal kingdom’ and take it so literally. please read ‘dominion.’ they are not yours- get over it, you & your hummer-sized ego. you probably wear fur, too, right? and think anal electrocution is our choice to make?? geez.

On June 30, 2008, John Ransley wrote:

It would seem that those people posting here, who think carriage horses are having a good time, have never witnessed these poor creatures in rush hour traffic. They stand in stalled traffic, breathing black exhaust fumes from the cars immediately in front of them. They have been hit by cars and there have been instances of them collapsing from heat exhaustion in traffic. Go to Times Square overnight Friday, when a neon lit carnival takes place with blaring horns, traffic jams and shrieking hooligans and tell me if the 30+ horses caught up in the bedlam feel comfortable there. If, for reasons of commerce, the City will not put a stop to the suffering, at least confine the activity to Central Park (as it was a few years ago).

On August 27, 2008, fauve wrote:

I dont think that horses should have to work in the streets of New York or anywhere.

Mind you on the other hand the comment made about horses dont enjoy pulling carts or being ridden are a bit biased also. Yes my horses have never said they are happy when they go out and are excercised, but they have never said there not enjoying it either. My horses are happy to be worked; and yes i say happy, because ther body language and willingness to learn is visible even to those who know nothing about horses. They also love to come in and be stabled. Each night they are waiting at their gates tio come into the stable. Even if they are not locked in, you can see they have chosen to stand and sleep inside. Yes i believe that cruetly to animals is not acceptable and that horses and animals in general are not here to satisfy our needs. However I dont think that you guys can sit here and critise all the people who have said their horses are happy being worked, because you dont know either if there happy or not.

On November 1, 2008, Don Kennedy wrote:

I was raised on a farm in North Alabama and I can certainly appreciate the use of horses for the purposes of survival or the means of providing food for the family however, I am totally amazed and appalled that there are those that would subject these wonderful animals (horses) to the great burdens such as they are made to endure when drawing carriages on the hard paved streets of any city. May God not recall their part in the cruel treatment of these helpless horses upon their day of judgment. Shame, shame and more shame on those that have any part of this or refuse to boycott the services of horse drawn carriages. PLEASE HELP THESE ANIMALS, THEY NEED SOMEONE TO CARE BECAUSE AS MUCH AS THEY CARE THEMSELVES, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

On February 25, 2009, Justin wrote:

may i ask what is wrong with horse drawn carriages? does this also mean that riding a horse is inhumane?

FoA comments:

In both cases, horses are exploited — either for human profit or pleasure. Is it “inhumane” for me to keep you enslaved for my profit or pleasure?

On October 26, 2009, Bre wrote:

By reading these comments I can see you so called “friends of animals” think that owning a DOMESTICATED horse is horrible. Yes, I agree that horse-drawn carriages should be banned. I feel this way because these horses work for endless hours every day, and when they can no longer do their “job”, most of these horses go to auction and wind up going to slaughter. But I can’t believe most of you think that riding/exercising a horse is, as you call it, “exploitation”. I guess you don’t know that in order for a horse to stay healthy it needs some sort of exercise. And for the people who think keeping a horse in a pasuture or stall is cruel; I asume you think horse rescues are cruel too. You know, because they take horses that live in deplorable conditions and attempt to find them new homes (that means pasture and/or stall. Ahhhh!), but from these comments it seems you’d rather these horses go to slaugther and wind up on someone’s plate, than be in a stall or pasture. It also seems you’d want these, let me remind you again, DOMESTICATED horses to just roam the streets instead of having them in barns/stables/pastures.

<strong [Blog editors’ note: You should have watched the TV special last evening on PBS, “Cloud: The Challenge of Stallions,” which covered the lives and social fabric of two groups of wild horses on Montana’s public lands. After the one hour special, we learn the BLM, that had been interfering by darting mares and imposing birth control, trapped both family groups — rounding them up — causing horses to be separated from others and sold or stuck in corrals. It’s a crime. Wild horses shouldn’t be doomed and privatized so that cattle ranchers have all the public lands they desire to graze cows who are bred to be slaughtered.

Horses need to be rescued from the BLM, for starters.]

On December 17, 2009, Horse-Lover wrote:

I think you’re wrong to ban horse-drawn carriages. After you’re done saving EVERY SINGLE animal out there (including ones doing just fine) what do you intend to do with them? I have nothing against animal rights groups,you guys do some damn good stuff and I’d help out if I actually had the room and money, but not all horses are content to sit around all day for years doing nothing. How would you feel if you’re job were taken away and you were told to stay in the house? Horses are just like people—take away their job and what they like doing and they’ll get depressed. Plus, where would you put them?
Not to be rude, but it seems that only people who have livestock seem to understand the consequences of what you guys want.

FoA comments:

Part of ending the exploitation of animals is stopping the breeding of “captive animals” (animals that cannot live independently of humans and animals bred to held in captivity). Then there isn’t a question as to where they will live.

The captive animals that exist today, should be released to sanctuaries. They cannot be set free.

On February 10, 2010, Hopeful wrote:

I would be happy to see these horses out of the city via a ban on horse-drawn carriage rides. I am worried, however, should a ban be implemented in the near future, what Friends of Animals intends to do to help those horses find new homes. From the sounds of the reports the stable owners see them as simply a way of making money and so I cannot help but draw the conclusion that should this no longer be an option, they will have them ‘put-down’ or sold on to equally less scrupulous owners. Does Friends for Animals have a plan for the future of these horses should a ban be implemented? A sanctuary would obviously be perferable but with the many horses in the city are there any with the resources to take them in? Perhaps along with campaining for the ban, Friends for Animals should also be raising funds to ensure these horses will be well-cared for once their current owners can no longer earn money from them? I feel that this is a duty the Friends for Animals cannot ignore.

[Blog editors’ note: When horses are discarded from the horse carriage trade, they’re going to slaughter, not a sanctuary. New York’s 200 horses can be placed in sanctuaries, so the work ahead is to ban the trade ,and work with carriage horse owners (yes, they own those horses), to allow horses to be cared for at a sanctuary.] </strong