Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides NYC (NYC Carriage Horse Project)

To the arrogant hypocrites watching my lonely blog

2009-02-09T22:59:00.003-05:00

I've never been more disappointed in a group of people that I have physically, financially and spiritually supported for years.

You are indeed everything your critics say you are.

To focus your attention in a pendantic arrogant way (attention that can be well spent elsewhere) on a kindly blogger who has been blogging away before others ever mobilized their efforts is distasteful, uncompassionate and emblematic of the true people you all represent.

God help the carriage horses, as they will not be saved by all of you. You have proven that with your attitudes. And that revelation breaks my heart.

Meet Jamaica, an 18-year-old Dutchbred former carriage horse from Belgium

2009-02-09T15:29:00.003-05:00

Chester Weber with Jamaica (second from left, back row), the Farnam/Platform U.S. Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year.

18-year-old named Horse of the Year

by Nancy Jaffer
Saturday January 17, 2009, 7:22 PM
Nancy Jaffer/

For The Star-Ledger

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Farnam/Platform U.S. Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year honors, a highlight of the organization's annual meeting, went to Jamaica, an 18-year-old Dutchbred who struggled to find a career before hooking up with national champion four-in-hand driver Chester Weber.

Winning the top award is unusual for a horse from a relatively small discipline, as Weber pointed out, and it's also special recognition for an animal who is never in the spotlight alone, but instead shares the stage with the others horses in the team. Jamaica, who has hackney and Dutch harness horse roots, originally was owned by a man in the meat business who had to get the bay gelding off his premises because the animal had a skin problem. The horse's subsequent occupation, pulling a livery carriage for tourists in Belgium, was cut short because he wouldn't stand still without someone holding his reins, a restlessness that persists today, according to Weber, who knew an equine athlete with potential when he saw one.

This year, the horse helped Weber make history as the first American individual medalist at the World Four-in-Hand Championships, where he won a silver medal. Although he's a veteran of six national championships and two World Equestrian Games, Jamaica isn't through yet. Weber is pointing him toward next year's Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky."If somebody ever asked me, 'Would you be banking on a horse that would be 19 for the WEG?' I'd say, 'You're crazy, that's not going to work,'" commented Weber, who attended Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., and went on to major in hotel management at Cornell University before devoting himself to show management and a variety of other equestrian-connected pursuits at his Ocala, Fla., base. "But this horse is tough as nails," observed Weber. "It's been a real honor to share this journey with an unbelievable horse. "He eats, breathes and sleeps competition. He's tougher than I am." Jamaica was chosen as the winner by a membership vote on five "Horses of Honor" from different breeds and disciplines.

http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2009/01/18yearold_named_horse_of_the_y.html

Congratulations Jamaica!

Back to REALITY..........

2009-02-09T15:05:00.002-05:00

The New York Post reports:

BUGGY BUSTER!
DRIVE TO REPLACE HORSES WITH MODEL T'S

By ADAM NICHOLS

Last updated: 3:11 amFebruary 9, 2009 Posted: 3:11 amFebruary 9, 2009
After 82 years, the Model T is set to replace the horse - again.

A city lawmaker wants to phase out controversial buggy-pulling horses and replace them with eco-friendly electric replicas of vintage Model T Fords.

The proposal - which has been pitched by animal-rights activists for months - has been taken up by Councilman Daniel Garodnick (D-Manhattan), who is hoping to put it before the City Council this spring.

"We have been exploring the idea that would essentially create a substitute for the horses," said a source close to Garodnick.

Michael McGraw, a representative of the animal-rights group PETA who has spoken to Garodnick about the proposed bill, said the plan is to develop electric or hybrid cars, which would tour the same park course that horse-drawn buggies use now - and could even be driven by current carriage operators.

"It would be the cutting edge of eco-tourism," he said.
Emotions are running high about horse-drawn carriages after a public hearing last month into a bill to ban them, introduced by Councilman Tony Avella.

The Queens Democrat claims the buggies amount to animal abuse.

"I support the car plan, but we still have to institute the ban and then say to the carriage operators, this is what we want to replace it with," said Avella last week.

"I think the intention is to get the carriage drivers to operate the cars, which would cause the least disruption and take care of the job issue."

Carolyn Daly, a spokeswoman for the Horse and Carriage Association of New York, said Garodnick had promised to speak to the operators' union, Teamsters Local 553.
"The proposal is absolutely absurd," she said.

"These are men and women who have dedicated their lives to horses, who love working with horses, and [Garodnick] thinks they can change to drive electric cars?"

During a Central Park rally yesterday, the carriage operators and their supporters continued to say "neigh" to the proposal banning the carriages.

Additional reporting by Erik Shilling

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02092009/news/regionalnews/buggy_buster__154260.htm

I'll let Ms. Forel Speak for herself. I'm not even going to dignify her diatribe. BTW post to the blog and it gets published.

2009-02-09T14:46:00.004-05:00

You must be about 14 years old, right? Or else, very unwell. So I'll be gentle.Having your "own blog" means not ripping off and republishing an organization's newsletter verbatim.It is quite outrageous. And then to blog about an email that politely asks you to stop.

Mon Feb 09, 01:14:00 PM 2009

The fact remains that I do not know who you are regardless of past e-mails, which had to be a while ago - and You could have gotten in touch with me to tell me your identity instead of this "mystery" ; that you continue to take verbatim things from my newsletter and mix them up with other things that perhaps I do not agree with. And you have taken our logo. That is trademark infringement. You have no right to it. There are reasons why trademark laws are in effect - even if people believe in the same cause. It is fine that you write a blog - but use your own material the way we all do. And by bad mouthing and insulting me - you are certainly not helping the horses or anyone else. You are just trying to defend bad behavior on your part. Bottom line is that you have no right to steal someone else's work. HorseWatch NYC is also a carriage horse blog but it is original. This mystery game you are playing is simply childish and grossly unprofessional. Do things the correct way - (maybe with permission from those who own the rights to the property) and you would not be getting complaints. Elizabeth Forel

So I received this comment from Elizabeth Forel of The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

2009-02-08T10:14:00.014-05:00

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WE MUST DEFEAT INTRO 653-A": Arlington: You do not have permission to use any information from my newsletter or web site. making it seem that what you are writing comes from me. It does not. You also do not have permission to use our trademarked logo.
I have previously asked you for your identity, which you ignored.
While I appreciate anyone writing against the industry, i do not appreciate what you are doing. Please stop.
Thank you.Elizabeth ForelCoalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriageshttp://www.banhdc.org/

My response:

Ms. Forel you apparently have nothing else to do but direct your anger at me.

You have NEVER asked me not to republish the information in your newsletter.
What is the purpose of the newsletter, but to dessiminate information. I was merely furthering your cause.

Ms. Forel - get off your high horse; pardon the pun.

You have a very selective memory Ms. Forel. I've identified myself to you in the past -even shared a letter I wrote to Mayor Bloomberg, Avella and Trump with you. You wrote to me a couple of times in the past and it was cordial. You even referred to my blog in your newsletter.

I take offense to your diva attitude.

My eyes have now been opened to you and your organization.
I will request to be taken off your email list and I will NEVER attend one of your demonstrations again.

I started my blog alone and I will continue to do so.

You are one piece of work!

Protecting the carriage horses is everyone's cause - obviously Ms. Forel sees otherwise.

Here's some proof for you Ms Forel:

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Dear Elizabeth -

Thank you for your kind email. I am honored to come in to contact with dedicated people such as yourself.

Thank you for bringing to my attention the issue of searching for my blog on the internet. I'll think of another title for it, so that it appears more often in casual searches for carriage rides in NYC.

My best to you and I remain relentless in my pursuit to ban carriage horses in NYC.

Yours truly,

______

Elizabeth Forel wrote:
Hello - i was cleaning out my e-mails (phasing out Juno) and came across one of yours, which is probably almost a year old. At that time you asked to be added to e-mail lists about this issue so I have taken the liberty of adding your address to a news letter that I started in September. In this past year, we have had a lot of background work to do regarding our campaign to ban the carriage horse industry from NYC. We now have two web sites and a newsletter and over 8,000 signatures of both tourists and New Yorkers alike.

The most recent newsletter was dated 12/21 - I am taking a break until the end of January.

I also just took a look at your blog - you have been busy! FYI - i have a Google search for "carriage horses" - and your blog has never come up - silly ones have - but not yours? I wonder why that is. The person who oversees my web sites tells me that it is how the search engines work and in your case - they may be hitting the "nyc" first - rather than the word "carriage horse" - just a thought - i am far from an expert. I would not have been aware of your blog - other than the fact you said you had one and I just clicked on the link.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth ForelCoalition for New York City Animals, Inc. - http://www.nycanimals.org/Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages - http://www.banhdc.org/

Liam Neeson Faces Off With Animal Rights Activists

2009-01-29T18:58:00.002-05:00

The world has been waiting to find out where Liam Neeson falls on the whole carriage horse issue, and you can stop holding your breath now, world: the actor has spoken...and PETA isn't gonna like what he has to say. Last week a story ran in the Irish Echo regarding the New Yorker resident's public support of the Central Park carriage industry, which came out in a letter to the City Council.

Neeson stated in the open letter that there's been a "coordinated attempt by animal activists and a certain Queens council member to ban the industry from the city." Indeed, Tony Avella's bill to put an end to carriage horses is being introduced at a public hearing on January 30th (at the same time the industry will also propose their first fare increase in 19 years). Neeson (who didn't seem at all like an animal cruelty supporter in that Love, Actually movie) continued his letter as follows:

As a horse lover and rider, I am deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and misguided political and extreme rhetoric against the horse-drawn carriage industry and feel obliged to counter this action.

The horse-drawn carriage business is an iconic part of this city, employing hundreds of dedicated, hard-working men and women, caring for well-bred, well-trained horses and attracting tourists to New York City for over 100 years.

As a proud New York resident, I have personally enjoyed the beauty of Central Park on a daily basis for many years, and these horses are an undeniable integral part of that experience. The notion that a well-nourished horse pulling a carriage through Central Park is considered cruelty may fit in with animal activists' extremist view, but not with the rest of us. Surely we have a responsibility to protect commerce, especially one with such history, and one I truly feel helps define this city. May pragmatism prevail

Today the NY Post is pitting him against Alec Baldwin, who recently came out in support of putting an end to the industry.

http://gothamist.com/2009/01/19/liam_neeson_hates_horses.php

"Pragmatism" Mr. Neeson?

Let's be pragmatic:

Limit the horses to Central Park.

Provide a paddock for the horses.

Provide suitable stables for the horses.

Monitor the hours, the weather conditions with regard to the horses.

Open your eyes Mr. Neeson.

Maybe it's the fact that the majority of drivers are your fellow kinsmen from Ireland...eh???

Carriage drivers join Teamsters as City Council hearing looms

2009-01-26T19:08:00.001-05:00

Carriage drivers join Teamsters as City Council hearing looms

BY LARRY McSHANE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, January 25th 2009, 4:00 AM

The city's horse-drawn carriages are rolling through Central Park with a new passenger aboard: the Teamsters.

A coalition of owners, drivers and stable workers voted last week to join the international union as they gear up for this Friday's City Council committee hearing on a bill to ban the industry.

"This is not an animal rights issue for us," said Colm McKeever, owner-operator of Shamrock Stables and a 20-year industry veteran. "This is a labor issue, which makes this a very natural fit with the union."

Demos Demopoulos, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 553 in Manhattan, said the new members wanted some juice in the battle to keep their industry alive.

"What they're really looking for is to be part of an organization that has some political power and represents working people," said Demopoulos.

"They just want to have their voices heard down at City Hall."
There's a historical tie, too: Local 553 represented coal-delivering carriage drivers at the turn of the 20th century.

"They saw that kinship," the union leader said. About 40 industry workers, including the stable owners, voted last Wednesday to join the Teamsters, according to McKeever.

On Friday, a public hearing is slated on Councilman Tony Avella's bill to ban the carriages. The Coalition for New York City Animals, a pro-ban group, collected 35,000 signatures on a petition supporting the bill.

Critics say the horse-drawn carriages are arcane and inhumane, citing the 2006 death of a horse killed on Central Park South after it was spooked.

Driver Emilio Marquez disputes the mistreatment claims. And while he cares about the animals, his main concern remains his family.

"Let me tell you something: We need these jobs," said Marquez, one of many immigrants in the business. "They talk about the horses, but they don't talk about us."

Home Sweet Home

2008-12-24T15:55:00.003-05:00

Horse being washed at his "stables" on 38th Street.

The greatest city in the world.

A major source of tourist dollars.

And NYC cannot at least provide suitable city run stables with a paddock for these noble beasts.

All right in front of our eyes.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

2008-12-21T09:38:00.002-05:00

Are the carriage horses working in the wintry conditions this weekend????????

Does anyone care? Does anyone see what I see?

Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages Fundraiser

2008-09-30T17:25:00.002-05:00

From the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages:

Some of you are new to this newsletter so long story short: we had a place for our fund raiser at an Irish pub in the west 40s. We sent out invitations two weeks ago and the next thing we knew, the manager told us that he had received threatening calls from the carriage industry warning him not to host the party ... so he canceled.

BUT WE ARE ON! The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is having a fund raising party on the evening of Tuesday October 14th and we hope to see you there.
Location: Mantra986 at 986 Second Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Streets - on the 2nd floor
Date: Tuesday October 14th
Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Our MC for the evening will be Irish comic Fiona Walsh and her team of Ann Design and Liam McEneaney
Music - by Joy Askew and Nellie McKay
Special Guests - Councilmember Tony Avella and Blinders' director Donny Moss
Enticing vegan food provided by Blossom, Candle 79, Caravan of Dreams, Franchia, Kates Joint, Mantra 986, Pongol, Streit's Bakery, VP2, VSpot, Whole Earth Bakery, Zen Palate
cash bar.

Silent auction with appealing and interesting items to be sold to the highest bidder
We are delighted and very appreciative that Tony, Fiona, Joy, Nellie, Donny, Ann and Liam have made themselves available for this great cause - to free the carriage horses. A big thanks to all of them.

Tickets are $30 on line -- or $40 at the door. Please click here to buy your tickets now. All proceeds will support the Coalition's various campaigns aimed at ending the suffering of the carriage horse.

Thanks to all of you for your support - those who continued to buy tickets; those who sent e-mails; and the many who suggested new venues. I am very appreciative and touched by all of you. With this kind of energy and good karma, I have no doubt that we will win freedom for the horses! Thank you.

Charity Event Benefiting Pets Alive

2008-09-29T17:15:00.002-05:00

From Pets Alive Newsletter:

Sidewalk Angels Foundation presents "A Furry Tail Evening" to benefit Pets Alive

Pets Alive's biggest supporters are Rob and Marisol Thomas. Every year their Sidewalk Angels Foundation gives Pets Alive a very large check to help us keep going.

This year though, our doors would truly shut without them. We were so deep in debt that digging our way out in the current financial climate has been very difficult. Our current monthly operating expenses are about $40,000 and we usually bring in about $20,000. Without some big fund raiser each year, we would not be able to continue.

This year, knowing that even their sizeable check would not keep us open, Marisol took it upon herself to throw a HUGE event for us. The event is October 25 and is called "A Furry Tail Evening". It is a two day event. The evening will include a cocktail hour with silent auction, a formal sit down dinner and an intimate concert by Rob Thomas and his solo band with special guest Chris Daughtry.The silent auction will have some fabulous items. Not only are Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf going to come out and support us, they are auctioning off the opportunity to play tennis with them the following day. A very limited number of tickets will be sold and they are going very fast for this special event. Seats for the evening are $750 per person, or there is a VIP package availabe for $2,500. The VIP package includes 2 seats for the event, as well as a pre-show meet and greet cocktail reception with Rob and Chris. All tickets are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you want to try to get a ticket please emailmailto:furrytailevening@aol.com.

All the proceeds will go to Pets Alive.

This has the potential to raise our operating expenses for the entire coming year. If that happens do you know what an impact we could have on the community? We could open a spay/neuter and low cost medical facility here. We could welcome the public and start a training program. We could start doing outreach and going into schools, or bringing children here for field trips and introductions into animal care and altruistic living. We could finally make some really much needed repairs here to better the environment and we could perhaps hire a full time dog trainer to work with our problem dogs.

There are so many possibilities and so many things we can do if every month we were not so stressed about paying our bills, getting staff their checks on time and trying to still afford supplements or treats. It is always bare bones and we're always scraping. To have our operating expenses aside and to be able to use the other funds we raise for changing the community and helping animals in outreach is a dream we have long imagined but didn't ever really dare to believe. Through Rob and Marisol we can make such a difference and help to save so many animals.

How do you thank someone like Marisol and Rob Thomas? Without them our doors would truly close and if any of you have ever put on an event, you will know that it CONSUMES you. It takes every ounce of energy and sucks away all your time. Thank you so much Marisol and Sheelah and Maria and Rob. We, and all the animal lives YOU will save are forever grateful.

RIP Another Retired Carriage Horse

2008-08-08T15:36:00.004-05:00

From Pets Alive:

http://www.petsalive.com/

With Sorrow

It is with a very heavy heart that I let you all know that we lost Blackie last night.Blackie was a retired carriage horse that had been at Pets Alive for many years. A few months ago we surgically removed an eye that was causing him severe discomfort, and his recovery has been nothing less than remarkable. He had put on weight, his coat was shining and gleaming and he would be the first one to walk over to you when you entered his pasture. He had great friends in his pasture and was able to spend the last few months grazing on grass - something that had largely been denied to him most of his sweet life.

Blackie after his surgery, a few months ago.Blackie was a staff and volunteer favorite....and we will all miss him terribly. It is truly with a broken heart that I type this to you all, although there is great solace in the fact that he went very peacefully. He lay in the pasture, as if he was sleeping, and there were no scuffle marks or signs of distress. The other horses were by his side, calm and quiet. We believe Blackie lay down to sleep and perhaps his heart murmur finally got the best of him.

I hope he is running somewhere free of arthritis and pain in a field filled with clover and alfalfa. We'll miss you Blackie.You were truly the sweetest, most gentle horse.

Feeling, hot, hot, hot..........

2008-07-19T12:50:00.003-05:00

Oppresive heat today.......humidity high....heat indices making it feel close to 100 degrees.

How many folks are even thinking of carriage horses plying their trade today in Manhattan????????????

At least the ducks in the model sailboat pond in Central park can find relief.

The Use of Blinkers

2008-06-22T19:01:00.001-05:00

The use of blinkers does not eliminate the risk of accidents. Blinkers are often used in an effort to help maintain the animals' concentration, and yet they can actually have the opposite effect. If horses are startled - for instance, by a noise or by being touched - they may panic and yet are further disturbed by being unable to see what is happening around them. Even in horse racing, where the distractions from other runners are routine and familiar, the use of blinkers is being debated. During the 2001 Grand National in Europe, Paddy's Return created havoc at Canal Turn bringing down several horses. Racing authorities believe that the use of blinkers could have contributed to the accident.

Farewell To Another Retired Carriage Horse

2008-06-20T17:49:00.001-05:00

From the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages www.banhdc.org

We often mention Central New England Equine Rescue and the wonderful people who run it. It is currently home to two former rescued carriage horses - Monty and Teddy - and was home to the late Lilly. So it is fitting that we remember Sugarfoot, Vicky Berry's family member and best friend. A beautiful Arabian, he came to live with her and her family when he was only two and still growing into his lanky body. He unexpectedly died on May 31 from colic at the age of 24. Sugar had been diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago so he was no longer able to eat as many carrots or the special molasses treat Vicky like to make for the horses on Sunday - although he still managed to get a bit.

I had the honor of meeting Sugar in the summer of 2006 and was so impressed with his gentle ways and his befriending Monty, the former Boston carriage horse. Sugar and Monty soon became best buddies - with Sugar teaching Monty how to play sticks - a fun tug of war game. Cheryl tells a sweet story about Vicky, Larry and Cheryl saying goodnight to the horses in the barn. Everyone was tired after a full day and Vicky yawned. Sugar reacted with a huge horse yawn - the kind with his eyes closed, head and neck stretched way out in front of him and his mouth wide opened with all this teeth showing and his tongue sticking out. Vicky continued to yawn several times, only to be followed each time by Sugar. Everyone got a good laugh out of that and it will remain one of those cherished memories.

Sugar was head of the pack - top horse. Last summer I got to see this up close. One of the young girls had taken Tucker, a rescued miniature horse, for a walk. When they got out of sight, Sugar began calling at the top of his lungs for him to come home. He was worried and felt responsible. Topaz, a lovely horse who was being boarded by Vicky's friend, Paul, also died the very same day from eye cancer. And Annie, that happy dog who was loved by everyone, had died sometime before. Very sad and we remember them here too. But as Vicky says "so time will heal and i need to remember my own words of comfort to others....the losses that cause our greatest sorrow have also brought us our greatest joy. ..and that Sugar did...he brought me the greatest joy anyone could know. " (pictures are of Sugar and Monty playing in the snow and playing "sticks"; playing ball with Annie; just hanging out )

Maureen The Retired Carriage Horse

2008-06-20T17:44:00.004-05:00

This is Maureen a retired carriage horse who was rescued by a lovely organization "Pets Alive." She is nearing the end of her life. She rallied many times but her caregivers are preparing for the inevitable. God bless you Maureen. Please contact "Pets Alive" to make a donation: http://www.petsalive.com

Thank you.

Another Horse Perishes.........His Name Was "Clancy"

2008-02-11T20:37:00.000-05:00

HORSE DIES AT CLINTON STABLES ASPCA denied health records; asked to do FOIL request
ASPCA Probing Stable Death of NYC Carriage Horse Told To File Freedom of Information Act To Obtain Records From Dept. of Health ASPCA Media Contact NEW YORK, February 8, 2008-The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) , in looking into yesterday's death of a carriage horse in his stable, has been told to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the New York City Department of Health, in order to obtain the horse's veterinary and other records. "This is unprecedented," said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. "ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents have never before been asked to file a FOIA request in order to obtain records that would help to determine whether or not an animal's death is due to an act of cruelty." The horse, an eight-year-old, male Draft Percheron, was found dead at the Clinton Park stables on 11th Avenue near 52nd Street at approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, according to stable personnel. The horse reportedly had not worked since last Saturday, February 2, and was being treated by a licensed veterinarian. The Department of Health reported the horse's death to the ASPCA today at 1 p.m. When ASPCA agents requested the horse's records from them, administration officials refused to provide information and directed ASPCA agents to file a FOIA request, which can be an extremely long process. [press release continues]

Horse Welfare continued..........

2007-12-29T07:34:00.000-05:00

The use of nosebags is a completely unnatural way for a horse to feed, and is well known to present increased risk of respiratory problems over a period of time, as a result of inhaling food dust from the bag.

The effect of cumulative welfare 'insults'
The problems listed above - including respiratory disease, heat stroke, dehydration and lameness - tend to result from cumulative welfare 'insults'. To deny their existence or the effect that pollution and stress have in accelerating them is to ignore authoritative published research on the subject. Holly Cheever D.V.M. is one such expert, having studied pathologists' investigations into working horses. She stated in a submission to Oxford City council, which was considering, but later abandoned, plans to introduce horse-drawn vehicles: 'I must politely disagree with any veterinarian who claims that there is no increase in respiratory diseases in horses worked for long periods in congested urban environments, compared to their rural environments.'

It is interesting to note that the average working life of a police horse in New York City is 15 years. This compares with less than four years for a carriage horse.

The risk of accidents
The deadly consequences of horses becoming 'spooked'
''Spooking' can happen to even the best-trained and well-mannered horse... there is no such thing as an unspookable horse, nor can the average driver control it once it bolts.' Holly Cheever D.V.M. Case in point "Smoothie" accidental death September 2007 when spooked by drum playing.

Horses and city traffic can be a deadly mix. Contrary to operators' claims, most horses are not at all comfortable working among cars and lorries. Animals becoming 'spooked' in traffic have frequently caused accidents - both minor and fatal. Spooking is a term to describe a horse panicking and temporarily being out of the control of the vehicle's driver. A car horn or something as minor as a pedestrian walking in front of the horse could trigger this. In the majority of cases, the cause of an incident can never be explained.

There are numerous documented cases of both animal and human injuries, sometimes fatal, after carriage horses have become 'spooked'. A US survey of national carriage horse accidents revealed that:
85% of all accidents were the result of an animal spooking
70% of the time there was a human injury
22% of the time there was a human death

In New York City, which has the highest carriage horse accident rate in the country, 98 percent of the horses who 'spooked' became injured.

Injuries and fatalities resulting from collisions between cars and carriage horses have occurred in almost every city that allows carriage horse rides.

Excerpt taken from Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/other/ALL/444/

A picture is worth ................

2007-12-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

PETA recently captured the above images of the carriage horse condition in NYC.

Unbridled Bribery

2007-12-19T12:54:00.000-05:00

TRAGIC CARRIAGE HORSE'S OWNER BUSTED
By DAVID SEIFMAN City Hall Bureau Chief

WHOA! Cornelius Byrne (above), whose horse, Smoothie, crashed and died on Central Park South in September, is charged with offering an undercover investigator $100.

December 14, 2007 -- The owner of a carriage horse that died in a bizarre accident in Central Park has been arrested on charges of paying $100 to an undercover investigator to overlook violations at his stable, authorities said yesterday.

The Department of Investigation reported that Cornelius Byrne, 61, owner of Central Park Carriage Stables, at 547 W. 37th St., offered the payoff on Oct. 4, 2006, after an investigator posing as an inspector spotted seven violations of Consumer Affairs guidelines.
Officials said none of the alleged violations involved public safety.

Byrne was the owner of Smoothie, a 13-year-old mare that went berserk and crashed into a tree on Central Park South in September when a member of a break-dancing troupe beat a snare drum behind her.

She collapsed and died on the pavement, sparking outrage among animal-rights activists.

City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Queens), who has introduced a bill to abolish the carriage horses, said city supervision of the industry was desperately lacking.

"The city has been giving this industry political cover," he charged.
But one industry official said Byrne's arrest was an isolated incident that "had nothing to do with the animals."

"It was all about licenses and how they're displayed," the official said.
In one case, two different horses were given the same identification number, according to DOI.
The entire industry is comprised of just 68 carriages pulled by 220 horses.
Byrne's lawyer, Andrew Lankler, declined comment.

Clueless Celebs

2007-12-13T18:10:00.000-05:00

It seems that Brooke Shields and alturistic Brad Pitt have no idea about the struggles of the carriage horse. They seem oblivious......

Kelly Ripa Has the Right Ride

2007-12-13T18:08:00.001-05:00

Update on Rally

2007-12-10T19:15:00.000-05:00

From the Colaition to Ban Horse Drawn Carriages:

Yesterday was an historic event!. Council Member Tony Avella made the long awaited announcement that he would introduce legislation into the City Council on Wednesday, December 12th to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC. More than 100 people were on the steps of City Hall to show their support and to stand up and be counted. Besides CM Avella, speakers included Elizabeth Forel/Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages; Jill Weitz/Coaltion to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages; Edita Birnkrant/Friends of Animals; John Phillips/League of Humane Voters NYC; Jannette Patterson/People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) ; Donny Moss/McMoss Productions; Susan Brandt/Rational-Animal and Sherry Ramsey/Humane Society of the US (HSUS). JoAnne Worley who is currently starring in The Drowsy Chaperone was also there in support. JoAnne said "I used to wear fur - I don't anymore; I used to smoke - I don't anymore; I used to think horse-drawn carriages were romantic - I don't anymore - They are cruel and should be banned."

While no one from the ASPCA was present, CM Avella read an announcement that the ASPCA is backing his legislation. This was met by a round of applause and cheers. Two letters of support were read - one from Tim Trow, Toronto Humane Society (Jill Weitz) (scroll down) and one from John Carmody from Animal Rights Action Network in Limerick, Ireland. (Edita Birnkrant.) We also presented CM Avella with a plaque of appreciation for his compassion in recognizing the plight of New York City's Carriage Horses and for his courage in introducing legislation to ban the horse-drawn carriage industry - a long awaited and historic first. It included a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. "Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right."

Our organization - the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages - and all the people associated with it made this happen through our consistently hard work in bringing this issue to the public. All of the people who come out every week to table and educate people deserve many thanks. And all of you who write letters to newspapers, participate in blogs and have contacted your legislators and the mayor deserve equal thanks. It is because of you that we have reached this point not even two years after we began. To quote Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." So congratulations to all of us! ACTIVIST MEETING: Wednesday, December 12th at 6:30 - YMCA 5 W. 63rd St. Only those who are known to us will be allowed. Carriage owners, drivers, spies and other infiltrators will be not be allowed.

LOTS OF MEDIA COVERAGE covered by every TV network in NYC
All of the TV networks - 1,2,4,5,7,9,and 11 covered this event. Most of the coverage was balanced. Please visit these sites to see the coverage.

NY 1 - December 08, 2007 Tourists looking for a horse and buggy ride in Central Park could be stuck walking if a Queens lawmaker has his way. City Councilman Tony Avella is set to introduce a bill next week that would ban the carriage rides. He says the horses are victims of animal cruelty and risk injuries and even death in city traffic. This all comes after a carriage horse died in September after being spooked by musicians on Central Park South. It's unclear how much support Avella's measure has in the council. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said the horses are cared for and should remain a city fixture, and New York's Horse and Carriage Association says their 220 horse fleet is in excellent health.

WCBS - Channel 2 - NEW YORK (CBS) ― Horse-drawn carriages were in high demand today in New York City. Dozens of tourists were competing for a ride. "I think the horse rides are really nice for New York City," said Ashley Troup. But down at City Hall, the mood was angry. Animal activists armed with alarming photographs surrounded a city councilman as he called for a total ban on the industry. "There have been more accidents, there have been more horses who have died or been put to sleep and the situation is only getting worse," said Queens Councilman Tony Avella. It was the latest shot in a war that's as old as the horse and carriages themselves. But after years of fighting to restrict this age-old industry, concerned animal rights activists are making a push to abolish it. "Every time a horse is killed, injured or beaten on New York City streets, PETA is inundated by calls from tourists and residents appalled that city officials still allow them to be on city streets," said Jannette Patterson. There are over 200 licensed carriage horses in the city, and the practice is heavily regulated by the city. But CBS 2 recently discovered poor conditions at one stable, and there have been scattered incidents of horses hurt or killed in traffic. Ian McKeever, who owns the Shamrock Stables, says the industry has an excellent safety record. He says the councilman, a mayoral candidate, is just looking for publicity. "He doesn't know the care I take of my horses," said McKeever. "He doesn't know I go home every night and tell stories of my horses to my three kids." It's not clear how much of a future this proposal has. Mayor Bloomberg supports this industry, saying it's part of what defines the city, but Avella says he'll introduce his bill to ban horse-drawn carriages on Wednesday.

Channel 4 - WNBC - NYC To Consider Ban On Horse Drawn Carriages - NEW YORK -- A city councilman wants to ban the horse-drawn carriages that clip-clop around Central Park -- a move strongly opposed by the city's carriage drivers. Queens Councilman Tony Avella said he will introduce a bill next Wednesday calling for a ban. He and animal rights advocates contend the horses are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or death in city traffic. The move comes just months after a carriage horse died when he became spooked by sidewalk musicians and then darted into traffic. Animal advocates backing the plan include "Friends of Animals," who called the move to an carriages "overdue." But the Horse and Carriage Association is lashing back. The group is fighting to protect its industry and say the city's 220 licensed carriage horses are in excellent health. Group spokeswoman Carolyn Daly called Avella an "ill-formed, publicity-seeking opportunist." A carriage horse died in September after it was spooked by street musicians and bolted down Central Park South. It was the second such incident in less than two years. It is not clear how much support Avella's bill has in the 51-member council. And Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said that the horses are cared for and should remain a New York City fixture.

WABCTV - Eyewitness News - Channel 7 - NEW YORK -- A city councilman wants to put a stop to the horse-drawn carriages that clip-clop around Central Park. Queens Councilman Tony Avella says he will introduce a bill next Wednesday calling for a ban. He and animal rights advocates say the horses are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or death in city traffic. Those allegations are being denied by carriage owners.

Channel 5 - MyFoxNY.com -- A New York City councilman plans to introduce a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park. Councilman Tony Avella cited past examples of abuse and animal deaths. Fox 5's Andre Hepkins got reaction from New Yorkers and the carriage owners.

VILLAGE VOICE ARTICLE ON PROPOSED BAN Dec. 8, 2007
Bill to Ban Horse & Carriages Met with Unbridled Anger By John DeSio The clip-clop of equine feet through midtown Manhattan would be a thing of the past if City Council Member Tony Avella gets his way. But opponents of the council member say he has no horse sense. Avella will hold a press conference on Saturday to announce a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages, hansom cabs if you're olde tyme-ish, from all City streets. The bill will be officially introduced in the City Council next Wednesday, and represents the first time any elected official has pushed for an all-out ban on perhaps the City's most famous tourist trap. For animal rights activists, Avella's bill cannot be passed soon enough. Edita Birnkrant, spokesperson for the non-profit Friends of Animals, said there has been discussion of simply reforming the industry in the past. Such reforms, she added, would offer only cosmetic changes to a barbaric practice. "There's no way to make it better," said Birnkrant, calling horse-drawn carriages "horrible" and "cruel." "It's time to get it out of the City." Not so, says the horse and carriage industry.

"This is just a cheap publicity program he is running on the backs of these horses," said Carolyn Daly, spokesperson for the Horse & Carriage Association of New York "He should be ashamed." Avella has aligned himself with extremists, said Daly, knows nothing about horses and does not truly care for the animals, only his political career. "This is not about the horses," said Daly. "This is about Tony Avella. He's the worst kind of elected official." [READ THE REST and comment on blog]]

BANNING HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES Associated Press - December 8, 2007
New York City Council to consider banning horse-drawn carriages at urging of animal advocates By SARA KUGLER - Associated Press [this article was picked up around the country] NEW YORK - The horse-drawn carriages that clip clop around Central Park could be banned under New York City Council legislation to be introduced at the urging of animal advocates who say the horses are treated inhumanely. Councilman Tony Avella, who plans to introduce the bill on Wednesday, said the horses that have entertained tourists and New Yorkers for decades are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or death as they weave through city traffic. In September, a horse died after it was spooked by street musicians with drums and bolted down Central Park South. It was the second such incident in less than two years. "This situation is only getting worse _ the animals are not being treated properly, and enough is enough," Avella said. "Horses are incompatible with traffic _ especially midtown traffic." It is not clear how much support his bill has in the 51-member council, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that the horses are cared for and should stay as a New York City fixture. "These are things that the tourists like and New Yorkers like and they define a city," he said. The Horse & Carriage Association of New York issued a scathing statement in response to the proposal, stating that the city's carriage horses are in excellent health and Avella "is the one who should be put out to pasture." "Our industry is made up of predominantly Irish and Italian working families who have for generations made their livelihoods in the horse carriage industry," the group said. "NO ONE is more invested in the health, safety and welfare of our horses than we are. They are not only our livelihood, they are a part of our lives and we care deeply for each and every one of them."

The city has 220 licensed carriage horses, 293 certified drivers and 68 licensed carriages, said association spokeswoman Carolyn Daly, who noted all horses spend four months each year at a farm and are eventually retired to farms. The Health Department issues permits and registration for the horses and stables, and is responsible for inspections. A spokeswoman on Friday declined to comment on the legislation, but said the agency has convened a horse advisory board to address horse health and safety issues in the city. The board of members from the veterinary community, the horse carriage industry, the riding community and the public, met for the first time last week. The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages has long been campaigning for the city to shut down the stables and end the rides. Avella said he has visited the stables on the west side of Manhattan, and described the conditions as small and cramped. On Saturday, the Queens Democrat was to announce his legislation with the coalition and a number of animal rights activists, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and television star Jo Anne Worley. "The industry is inherently inhumane, and we feel that way because it denies a horse its most basic instincts," said Elizabeth Forel, president of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages. In September, an audit by the city's comptroller found that the horses work in an area without enough water spigots, shade or drains for their waste and without enough oversight by authorities. ___ Associated Press Writer Samantha Gross contributed to this report.

AVELLA CARRIAGE BAN ANGERS OWNERS Times Ledger - December 6, 2007
Avella Carriage Ban Angers Owners - Incensed by Councilman Tony Avella's (D-Bayside) impending City Council proposal to ban horse and carriage service in Manhattan, industry members, roughly one-sixth of whom are Bayside residents, are lashing out at the councilman and deriding him as "a horse's ass." "He is running for mayor on our backs through the animal rights people," asserted Stephen Mallone, a Bayside resident who has been in the business for 20 years. "The people of Bayside should be revolting" against the councilman, he said. Advertisement Avella says he is sponsoring the bill to ban the service because horses are overworked by the industry. He also asserted that using horses to cart people around in modern traffic is antiquated, pointing to two accidents in the past two years in which horses died as evidence. "This is actually torture for the animals," he said. "There's a reason horse carriages don't exist in downtown traffic." Industry members hotly dispute those accusations, claiming the claims are a product of ignorance and political grandstanding. Mallone said the horses are well-maintained and well-treated, with their condition overseen by a host of city agencies and clear for all passers-by to see. "It's an absolute travesty to even imply" the horses are maltreated, he said. The horses work six- to seven-hour shifts and average one ride per hour, he said, with a 15-minute rest required by law every two hours. When they can no longer work, the horses are sent to pastures or maintained privately, but not euthanized, he said.
Ian McKeever, owner of Shamrock Stables on 45th Street and 10th Avenue, said the councilman should worry about his own district instead of meddling in Manhattan. About two years ago, he said, Avella visited one of the stables. "He was very happy and had nothing negative to say,"McKeever said. "Now he's being a horse's ass." Avella sharply dismissed that assertion, calling it a "total lie." He said he visited stables, inspected conditions and submitted follow-up questions which, he says, were never answered. The councilman proposed a partial ban on the industry almost two years ago. "The truth has to come out," he said. "These horses are in bad shape. They're downtrodden." Eva Hughes, a Bayside resident who owns a carriage service and met her husband in the business, said Avella was aligning himself with radical animal rights groups and distorting the facts. "He's the kind of politician who gives politicians a bad name," she said. Hughes said the two recent horse deaths were the only ones since 1985 and added that the industry has a vested interest in protecting the animals. "They're our livelihood," she said. "Accidents happen, but we have to be allowed to live." [write a letter to the editor: news@timesledger.com]

ARTICLE ON OFF-THE-BOOKS WORK SPURS LETTER Letters to the editor - December 7, 2007
An article in Metro "Off-The-Books Work Booms" by Amy Zimmer discussed how the city stands to lose at least $550 million in 2008 in unpaid payroll taxes. The article has nothing to do with the carriage horse controversy. However the reporter chose to include a gratuitous comment by Jim Conway of Local 14 operating engineers. "You see these women who protest the mistreatment of horses in the carriage industry at Central Park, yet these women buy condos built by exploited workers." It seems that some reporters will print anything that comes out of the mouths of carriage owners and their cronies.

My response printed in Letters to the Editor - December 7, 2007. Jim Conway's comments about women protesting the mistreatment of carriage horses and also buying condos built by exploited workers are so ludicrous that they are just silly, false and unrelated to this issue. But since he brought it up: The carriage drivers operate in a cash only - off the books business. They can report whatever they want to the IRS causing the City of NY a loss of tax dollars. Is this fair to those of us who do pay taxes on what we earn? To add insult to injury, they often cover their rate card and charge unsuspecting tourists what ever they want. And yet Council Member James Gennaro has introduced a bill asking for a rate increase that essentially rewards this unethical practice. Elizabeth Forel - Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

Carriage Horse Industry at a Crossroads

2007-11-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

A Channel 2 CBS news story revealing another side to the industry:

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/carriage.horse.central.2.489867.html

More Photos of Smoothie's Demise

2007-09-19T07:33:00.001-05:00

More on "Smoothie's" Death from NYT

2007-09-19T07:27:00.000-05:00

A Carriage Horse Dies After Bolting Onto a Sidewalk

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR and KAI MA
Published: September 15, 2007
A carriage horse was killed near Central Park yesterday after it became startled by a loud noise and darted onto a sidewalk, where it became stuck between two poles and died as it tried to lunge forward, the police and witnesses said.

The events began about 4:50 p.m. on Central Park South between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, where several carriage horses were parked in a row. According to witnesses, a man walked past the horses while beating a small drum, which caused a brown horse that was hitched to a carriage to bolt onto the sidewalk, darting between two poles that were about two feet apart. The horse made it through but the carriage did not, and as the horse struggled to move forward, it collapsed and died, witnesses said.
“It fell into a panic and then fell on the ground, kicking,” said Roger Watkins, who was walking by and tried to help. “He kept shaking and then went into shock and collapsed.”
At the same time, a second horse ran into the street and leaped onto the hood of a passing Mercedes-Benz, witnesses said. That horse survived, and the passengers in the car, which was badly damaged, said they were not injured.
“It ran across the hood, along with the carriage,” said Lakesha Heidelberg, 19, who was sitting in the passenger seat. “Then it stopped in the middle of the street. I was so shook up, you have no idea.”
Carolyn Daly, a spokeswoman for the Horse and Carriage Association of New York, said the death of the first horse, a 12-year-old mare named Smoothie, was “devastating.”
“This afternoon’s freak accident was overwhelming to all of us in the industry who so dearly love our horses,” she said. “The history of our industry is that we take great pride and tremendous care for our horses, which makes this incident all the more tragic.”
The accident came only a week after the comptroller’s office criticized the city for the way it polices the carriage horse industry. An audit by the comptroller found that the city had permitted owners to maintain their horses in substandard conditions and that monitoring by the health department and other agencies was inadequate, leading to health hazards for horses and putting them at risk of injury.
Last year, one horse that was pulling a Central Park carriage to a stable on the West Side became startled in traffic and darted into a car, injuring the carriage driver. The horse was later euthanized. It was among several accidents involving carriage horses in recent months.
Victor Hernandez, 25, a pedi-cab driver who was near Central Park at the time of yesterday’s accident, said he heard a loud drumming sound and then saw the first horse run off. He said it was on the ground for about 45 minutes before it was taken away.
“New York deserves to have horses and carriages, but these horses deserve a better life,” he said. “It’s romantic, sure, but they work too long and are tied up for too long. I think there’s a problem with how they’re treated in the city.”

Carriage Horse Death Stirs Debate

2007-09-19T07:24:00.001-05:00

http://www.wnbc.com/news/14126059/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news

Call For Improved Carriage Horse Conditions

2007-09-19T07:21:00.000-05:00

Call for Improved Carriage Horse Conditions
by Arun Venugopal
NEW YORK, NY September 17, 2007 —The death of a 13-year-old carriage horse near Central Park has the industry calling for better safety conditions. WNYC's Arun Venugopal has more.
REPORTER: Central Park South can get crowded, with carriages and horses sharing a narrow shoulder between busy traffic and a sidewalk full of people. On Friday, a horse named Smoothie got spooked when a break dancer performing nearby started playing a snare drum. The horse broke free of its carriage before galloping straight into a tree and dying. Smoothie's owner, Neil Byrne now wants musicians to be banned from the area.
BYRNE: They just can't park these musicians with their loud banging noises - piercing noises - and those drums, there's a lot of metal involved with those drummers. And it's something that really sets a horse off. So you can't have them in close proximity to these horses.
REPORTER: The Horse and Carriage Association also says the city should install hitching posts to secure horses.
REPORTER: A spokesman for the city says it looks forward to reviewing any recommendations that will improve safety on 59th Street

Carriage horse dies in accident by Central Park

2007-09-19T07:13:00.000-05:00

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5658859

Volunteers Needed

2007-03-24T17:29:00.000-05:00

The tabling efforts on Sunday were very successful. They got a lot of signatures on our petitions -- it is good to be back. Besides the core group, several new people joined the effort. Thanks to all of you. Next week we will be tabling on Saturday, March 24th. We need volunteers to help us get signatures on petitions to the Mayor and City Council -- and to hold posters. This is not a demonstration but an educational event. It is an excellent opportunity to help the horses and get to see how supportive both tourists and New Yorkers are. You can volunteer for one hour or four. We need to know when you will be there so we are sure to have coverage. Please contact Teresa at verush@aol.com if you can volunteer.

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2007 WHERE: near Central Park South - information will be given to volunteers. TIME: 1-5 PM

RESEARCH NEEDED: If you cannot make it to our tabling events, we also need help with research - with some of the city agencies such as the Department of Buildings - and general Internet research on specific topics. You will need a computer and a few hours to spare per week. If this sounds like something that interests you, please contact me at coalitionbanhdc@gmail.com

Pets Alive Director Passes Away

2007-03-20T08:08:00.000-05:00

Tabling Resumes 3/18/07 Please Join

2007-03-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages will resume tabling next Sunday, March 18th near Central Park South. We need volunteers to help us get signatures on petitions to the Mayor and City Council -- and to hold posters. This is not a demonstration but an educational event. It is an excellent opportunity to help the horses and get to see how supportive both tourists and New Yorkers are. You can volunteer for one hour or four. We need to know when you will be there so we are sure to have coverage. Please contact Teresa at verush@aol.com if you can volunteer.
WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2007 WHERE: near Central Park South - information will be given to volunteers. TIME: 1-5 PM

Update on Lilly O'Reilly Former NYC Carriage Horse

2007-03-04T12:02:00.000-05:00

(From the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages www.banhdc.org)

Lilly O'Reilly was a 19 year old mare when she came to Central New England Equine Rescue early in 2006. Through the engraved number on her hoof, we were able to trace her back to one of the NYC stables. They had sent her on to New Holland Auctions. Lilly was not in good shape. She was a couple of hundred pounds underweight and had harness sores from ill fitting tack all over her body - both are evidenced in the photo by protruding ribs and areas where her hair had rubbed off; she also had suspensory problems in her hind and her fetlocks were down. It was very clear she had been overworked.

For a long time, Lilly was very sad and mistrusting of humans. A big girl – 18 ½ hands high, she was the biggest horse in the rescue until Teddy came. In June, Vicky of CNEER said “Lilly still has not lost that sadness in her eyes. I don’t know how long it will take but it’s still there - she has moments of interest, but that’s all - little by slow she will trust us to keep her safe. She has had a hard life I think – a very hard life. And how she can still even tolerate people is beyond me. She can’t be adopted until she is restored both physically and emotionally.”

But good news for Lilly -- In the fall of 2006, a local veterinarian named Michaela, fell in love with Lilly and adopted her. This was Lilly in the fall - much healed. (see scond picture up above)

She now lives with Coal, a quarter horse and Badonkey Donk – a rescued donkey - and adores both of them. She is getting lots of loving attention and is fluorishing. They pose for Michaela's holiday card.

Michaela talks about her new girl. "Lilly is doing great. She has come out of her shell like you wouldn't believe--her newest favorite game is taking everything out of my tack box one item at a time when I am busy brushing her or picking her feet. I swear that horse smiles the entire time she does it."

I feel a special affinity for Lilly because she is a New Yorker - and as a former carriage horse, I know she had a difficult life. She was one of those horses who had to climb steep ramps in her multi- storied stable to get to her stall - and she probably never had a good nights sleep because it was not big enough to allow her to lie down comfortably. She was a means to a buck and when she was too old and creaky to work efficiently, she went to auction. I fell in love with her when I got the chance to meet her last fall. She is a very sweet and special horse. I am delighted that she finally has a wonderful, permanent loving home. Thanks to a few key players, Lilly is one of the rare, lucky ones who went on to a happy life where she is valued and loved. Please let's all strive to get rid of this archaic and inhumane industry wherever it exists. Too many Lillys, Montys and Teddys never get that chance for happiness.

CARRIAGE DRIVERS DEFY THE LAW

2007-02-19T12:36:00.000-05:00

From the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages www.banhdc.org

On Wednesday, February 14th, an icy, freezing rain and sleet blasted the city, making roads very difficult to travel. Beginning in early morning, the sleet got worse as the day went on. Icy slush began to pile up. Conditions were very dangerous and there were several weather related accidents. According to the law the carriages were not supposed to be out, nevertheless about six or seven were on Central Park South looking for passengers. And there were some willing takers. The ASPCA did not send the carriages back to the stables until after 1:00 PM. By that time, the horses had already been out on the street for several hours - during the worst part of the storm.

THE LAW - Chapter 4, of the New York City Health Code regarding the regulation of carriage horses in New York City defines Adverse Weather Conditions - "means any weather conditions which are hazardous to the health and safety of horse, driver, rider or public. Section 4-05 Working Conditions. b) Environment (1) Owners shall not allow a horse to be worked on a public highway, path or street during adverse weather or other conditions which are a threat to the health or safety of the horse and the public. Adverse weather conditions shall include but not be restricted to snow, ice, heavy rain or other slippery conditions. A horse being worked when such conditions develop shall be returned to the stable by the most direct route as soon as practicable. Section 4- 05 (3) During the winter months, horses stationed outdoors while awaiting riders or passengers shall be covered with blankets.

Title 17 - Health - Chapter 3 of the New York City Administrative Code; Subchapter 3 - Rental Horse Licensing and Protection law. 17-330 Regulations f. Owners shall not allow a horse to be worked on a public highway, path or street during adverse weather or other dangerous conditions which are a threat to the health or safety of the horse. A horse being worked when such conditions develop shall be immediately returned to the stable by the most direct route.

A Woman In Need

2007-01-31T11:12:00.000-05:00

I received this news from Pets Alive - a wonderful sanctuary that, among other things, adopts retired NYC carriage horses:

We have some bad news to report. Sara Whalen, the executive director at Pets Alive has been very ill. Earlier this week she had emergency surgery and will be in the hospital or physical rehab for the next 3-5 weeks. She has people at the shelter - wonderful people - Nancy and Tom - who have MOVED there with their pets to help out in this crisis, but she could use some help in other areas. Please be assured that the shelter is still running as close to normal as is possible, and all the animals are being cared for. There is a need for help though, as you can imagine. If you can help us in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. If you want to help AT the shelter - please call the office and speak to Nancy about that. While volunteers are GREAT, sometimes when you are overwhelmed, it takes more time to train or show a vol unteer what needs to be done, than to just get it all done yourself...so please call the shelter and leave your name and contact info if you feel you can help. Anyone who has volunteered before (and knows the routines) and can give the regular workers some time off would be appreciated. Tom and Nancy have been doing a phenomenal job but they are both running on fumes and also need a break. Please help out by NOT calling the shelter to ask how Sara is doing. Updates will be posted on the website's forum as we get them. We KNOW you care, but everyone is doing all they can do already, and having the phone ring all day isn't going to help them.

What Sara DOES need is help financially. She spends a TON of time online every day raising funds and money to support the shelter and is terrified that without her the funds will dwindle to nothing during her long absence. If any of you can host some fund raising benefits, or come up with creative ideas to raise money for the sanctuary, please do. This is what is needed most!
We will also be sending out a paper newsletter and Nancy is trying to also take care of that but Sara HATES impersonal newsletters. She hates to just print out labels, stick them on the mailing and send it out. She feels that loses the personal touch to the people that have given money, time and support to the shelter, so she prefers to hand address ALL her newsletter mailings. Since she obviously can not do that now, would anyone be willing to help hand address the newsletter mailings? This physical mailing will go a long way to helping bring awareness and help to the shelter. Please post on the online forum, or leave a message with your information at the shelter, if you can help with that.

Sara is being transferred to another hospital soon, as she has a need to be closer to the shelter, even if she can not be there. Believe us that ANY MONEY you would spend to send her flowers or something of that sort would be better spent in a small donation. I KNOW she would want that more than flowers at the hospital. As you know, these animals are her life and she simply can't recover without knowing they are safe.

Please help in any way that you can think up. Post different ideas on the forum, if you like, and someone will let her know about them.

Thank you to everyone for caring.Rob Thomas posted this on his website:
Hi troops!! without getting too thick into it, our dear friend sara whalen from pets alive is gravely ill and has been hospitalized. there's no telling how long it will be until she can get back on her feet, but it may be a while and even though she has some wonderful people (some of you!) who are physically helping out at the shelter, without her around, it needs more funding than ever. (and for a place that wasn't getting the funding it deserved in the first place, this is some task) please reach down and give a little to pets alive over the next few weeks. either send it directly to pets alive or you can send it through the pay pal button on the pets alive web site.sara is an amazing person who has sacrificed so much for her animals and even from a hospital bed her only concern, when we spoke, was the animals. please give anything, a dollar may not seem like a lot, but a lot of dollars all together could make a difference!much lovert
I can say that this is true. Even from her hospital bed she is continuing to try to work out arrangements for the most needy animals in her care. We are very grateful to everyone for your continued love and support at this time.

Tax deductible Donations can be made through our PayPal account or by sending a check to Pets Alive Inc., 363 Derby Rd., Middletown, NY 10940. Many companies MATCH gifts to non-profit organizations such as ours. When making a donation, please check to see if your company will match your gift!
...or you can click here to make a donation via credit card!

The following physical address is associated with this mailing list:Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown, NY 10940.

Disposable Workers

2007-01-17T07:27:00.000-05:00

It is interesting to note that the average working life of a police horse in New York City is 15 years. This compares with less than four years for a carriage horse

Horse Welfare, continued

2007-01-07T16:03:00.000-05:00

The feeding of horses:

10. With reference to feeding horses during working hours, this is sometimes done by the use of a nosebag, which is suspended from the head of the horse.

11. However, Dr Tim O'Brien notes that the use of nosebags is a completely unnatural way for a horse to feed, and is well known to present increased risk of respiratory problems over a period of time, as a result of inhaling food dust from the bag.

from Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/campaign/sport/omnibus.htm

And So The Horses Continue To Work As Winter Approaches

2006-11-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

I was in the city the other day and drove past the Plaza Hotel in the pouring rain. It was nasty. Raining almost horizontally. I saw a carriage with horse. The horse was drenched. The forecast called for downpours all day - the carriage driver apparently did not care about that. When will Bloomberg come to his senses and stop this inhumane service??

Juliet's Current Owner

2006-09-23T08:44:00.000-05:00

Mr. Provenzano - Juliet's former owner.
“I have no money to get another horse,” he said. “I have a wife and two sons to support. Two things I can do: make pizza and drive a horse.”

Make pizza Mr. Provenzano, make pizza.

More on Juliet

2006-09-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

Lots of folks are getting active to get justice for Juliet the Central Park carriage horse who died last Friday. Edita Birnkrant, NYC Coordinator for Friends of Animals and a founding member of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, reports that the New York Times article on Juliet's death contained many inaccuracies due to the fact that most of the information came from the carriage driver. Ms. Birnkrant says that a vet never arrived on the scene and advised the driver to beat the horse, as the article claims. In fact, the beating may have contributed to, or even caused, Juliet's death. The ASPCA is currently conducting an investigation to discover how and why Juiet died and if this is a case of criminal misconduct. The necropsy results are expected in a few days. Perhaps then we'll have more answers.

Another Carriage Horse Dies Tragically

2006-09-23T07:33:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe this has happened again. Where is the humanity in the most liberal city in the country. I've been away for a while tending selfishly to my own problems and issues while carriage horses are still suffering for the almighty dollar. This is wrong!!!!!!!!! Rest in peace dear Juliet.

http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_263201203.html

Short hearing for the carriage horses 4/15/06

2006-02-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

photo by Lincoln Karim www.palemale.com

The Transportation Planning Committee of CB4 will have a special hearing concerning the carriage horse trade.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 TIME: 6:00 pm WHERE: 351 W. 42nd St. - Holland House - basement theater room from the Chairperson - Jay Marcus: I would like to restrict testimony to 15 people (2 minutes each) and then the committee will take a vote on up to three issues for its recommendation to the Community Board: 1. Vote for one of three options - Ban/Restrict to Central Park/Current regulations 2. If the Committee does not vote for a ban then vote on: 1. Proposed changes to legislation to improve health and safety conditions; 2. Increased enforcement of regulations I hope we can complete these items in 45 minutes total.

What You Can Do.

2006-02-08T15:50:00.001-05:00

Provided by L. Karim with his expressed permissionwww.palemale.com

Tourists from all parts of the world are the mainstay of the carriage horse industry, so no matter where you are from, your voice can make a difference on this issue. Please sign a petition urging New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council to ban horse drawn carriages from the City of New York to ensure the safety of both people and animals. To have more of an impact, contact Mayor Bloomberg by phone, fax, postal mail or e-mail and politely urge him to follow the compassionate example of other progressive cities that have banned horse drawn carriages.
Mayor Michael R. BloombergCity HallNew York, NY 10007Tel: 212-NEW-YORK (or simply 311 if you are in New York City)Fax: (212) 788-2460E-mail: www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
You can also contact members of the New York City Council. Click here for their contact information.

Horse Welfare, continued

2006-02-06T15:48:00.000-05:00

Heat stroke, dehydration...

7.
Even if largely restricted to pedestrianised areas, the horses are still being exposed to the life-threatening risks of heat stroke and colic (a major cause of death in adult horses). David Freeman, a specialist equine vet at the University of Oklahoma, has warned that periods of intense exercise followed by periods when the horse is simply standing around, plus a limit on the horse's access to small and infrequent amounts of water, increase the risks of heat stroke and colic.

8.
During these summer months, horses suffering from dehydration or heat stress can die in just a few hours. Symptoms of heat prostration in horses include flared nostrils, brick-red mucus membranes, trembling, and a lack of sweat production on a hot day. Some U.S. regulations forbid horse-drawn vehicles when the temperature reaches a certain degree. A problem associated with such edicts is that official weather bureau readings do not accurately reflect the temperature on city streets. A study published by Cornell University found that the air temperature recorded by the weather bureau can be nearly 50 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the actual asphalt temperature. And the New York City Department of Transportation found that asphalt surfaces can reach 200 degrees Fahrenheit. These discrepancies can be life threatening particularly for a large horse, like one of the draft breeds, as they are greatly challenged in their ability to dissipate body heat into an increasingly warm environment. The horse can lose 8-10 gallons of fluid with exercise, but if the air is damp, cooling by evaporation cannot occur. If dehydrated and unable to produce sweat, anhydrosis ensues and can kill.

9.
The stop/go work pattern for horses is also likely to bring an increased risk of the highly dangerous condition equine myoglobinuria, or azoturia. Dr Tim O'Brien, a leading advisor to animal welfare organisations such as Compassion in World Farming, comments: 'This presents itself when horses are worked, suddenly rested, then abruptly returned to work. It appears to be caused by the sudden liberation of large amounts of accumulated lactic acid when the animal is returned to work. The horse's limbs become stiff. The hindquarter muscles are so rigid that they can feel like wood. Urine is sometimes retained, the bladder having to be relieved by the introduction of a catheter. Once the condition has developed, the horse is in severe danger.'

10.
Of equine myoglobinuria, Black's Veterinary Dictionary emphasises: 'If the horse is walked for any distance, a fatal outcome is likely'.

from Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/campaign/sport/omnibus.htm

Did you know?

2006-02-05T11:21:00.000-05:00

Many of the carriages used by this trade will seat six people. People are much heavier than they once were. One horse, even a draft horse, pulling a huge carriage with six large adults is burdensome. Another interesting feature is that horses employed in pulling carriages in cities outside the United States are required to wear horse "sneakers," or protective rubber coverings over their hooves. This protects their feet and cushions their impact on the concrete and cobbles of city streets. There also appears to be a higher standard of required care monitored through more veterinarian inspections, including unannounced "spot checks."

Horse Welfare, continued

2006-01-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

Photo by L. Karim www.palemale.com

Toxic pollution

3.
It can be assumed that the demand for horse-drawn rides would usually peak during the summer months when the tourist trade is at its busiest. This is also the time of year when roads are most congested.
4.
Air pollution, at any time of the year, has an adverse effect on horses' respiratory systems. The effect of sunlight on pollution generated by vehicle exhausts can create toxic and irritant low-level ozone smog. This is particularly bad because in the hot summer weather, just when the surrounding air is at its most irritant, the hard-worked horses will be breathing most heavily to cool their bodies down. As a result, they will be drawing in huge lungfulls of toxins.
5.
The leading medical journal, The Lancet, has noted that animals exposed to ozone pollution have suffered emphysema, cancer and accelerated ageing, stating that 'in animals exposed to ozone the mortality from lung infections is increased'.
6.
U.S. Veterinarian Jeffie Roszel has studied the breathing problems experienced by horses used to draw vehicles in traffic. He found that the 'tracheal washes and samples from respiratory secretions of these horses showed enormous lung damage, the same kind of damage you would expect from a heavy smoker'. Horses' nostrils are usually only 3 to 3.5 feet above street level, so these animals are 'truly... living a nose-to-tailpipe existence'.

from Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/campaign/sport/omnibus.htm

The Horse Carriage Trade, NYC by Bethany McCarty

2006-01-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

Great art.......... http://www.graphicwitness.org/contemp/bethany1.htm

Horse Welfare

2006-01-25T20:23:00.000-05:00

Visible injuries
1.
Even for healthy horses, drawing a vehicle carrying anything from two to nine people through city streets is not an easy task. As Holly Cheever D.V.M., a respected equine vet who has treated carriage horses in New York, points out, 'Lameness and hoof deterioration are inevitable when a horse spends its life walking or jogging on the unnaturally concussive asphalt of city streets'. She notes that draft horses are especially difficult to keep well-shod.
2.
But these are merely the visible consequences of requiring horses to pound the concrete and cobbled streets of towns and cities. There are far more serious outcomes that go beyond horses being unable to work - and, in fact, can result in their death.

from Animal Aid http://www.animalaid.org.uk/campaign/sport/omnibus.htm

Carriage horses retire to life of leisure

2006-01-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

Andrea Mohin/The New York Times. Shannon Byrne, 11, gave a farewell hug to Maureen, an 18-year-old mare who is retiring to a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Middletown, N.Y., after seven years of pulling carriages through the streets of New York City.

In honor of January 24th.......the most depressing day of the year according to those who have nothing else to do but designate days senselessly........here is a great story to boost your spirits.

August 23, 2001

Carriage horses retire to life of leisure By Sara Whalen and Stephen Aronoff Goshen has a distinctive and colorful history as the home of the original trotting horse mecca. As far back as 1801, a horse named Imported Messenger brought fame to this town with his unique gait. Later, one of his descendants, Hambletonian, had such an influence on trotters that all Standardbred horses trace their lineage to him. Today, less than 10 miles from Goshen, Timmy, a former racehorse, strolls around his paddock at Middletown's Pets Alive animal sanctuary, grazing calmly and occasionally nuzzling his equine companion, Mabel. Timmy's story goes back all the way to Hambletonian, but includes a few detours that may remind you more of the tale of Black Beauty. Even with the best backgrounds, few racehorses are still considered valuable after their first losses. Timmy, a "loser," soon found himself at a slaughter auction. Not many people think about the options for horses who can't prove their "usefulness," but the results are usually sad. Thousands of horses every year are slaughtered for the meat markets, and thousands more end up on Premarin farms or in research labs, or toiling to their deaths. Luckier horses might find a loving companion in the equestrian sport world, or with a kindly carriage driver. Yet, as they grow older and weaker, these horses often face the fate of the auctions. Timmy grew up proud and daring but simply wasn't competitive enough for the racetrack. Soon he was being weighed and shown at an auction in Pennsylvania. Luckily, he struck the fancy of the Byrnes brothers, who run one of the most humane carriage-horse facilities in New York City. For many years, Timmy, always the devoted gentleman and steady worker, enjoyed excellent care and attention. But when Timmy got older, the workload became too difficult. Fortunately, the Byrnes brothers refused to send him on to become a plow horse or worse. At the time, Pets Alive was just establishing its carriage-horse project at Pets Alive, and Timmy found his permanent home there as one of our first retirees. Many people in the mid-Hudson are sincerely concerned about the welfare of horses. There have always been horses at the Pets Alive sanctuary, and in 1998 we purchased additional property to expand our equine facilities. We at Pets Alive wanted to do something that could focus more attention on the problems that horses face, and we wanted to provide a safe and loving retirement for them. Pets Alive can't save every horse, but by focusing on one group and showing that it's possible to set up, staff and fund a long term care program, it proves that options other than slaughter are viable. Pets Alive is now negotiating for an adjacent 55 acres, in order to build more paddocks for the carriage horses on our waiting list. We are hoping that the Carriage Horse Retirement Home will join the Goshen Historic Track and Harness Racing Museum as popular equine places to visit in Orange County. We are also hoping that horse lovers in the area will join our team of dedicated volunteers who can give TLC to our equine ambassadors. As for Timmy, these days you can find him leaning over his fence at the Carriage Horse Retirement Home, whinnying for an extra pat along his neck. His coat is sleek, his stomach full, and he ambles off to continue grazing – that's his full-time job now and forever at Pets Alive. To help ... Plans are in the works for a benefit to raise money to build more paddocks. To help, or for more information, contact: Sara Whalen, executive director, Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown 10940; or call 845-386-9738; or visit http://www.petsalive.com/. Sara Whalen, the founder and executive director of Pets Alive, has been rescuing animals for 30 years. Stephen Aronoff, a member of the board of directors, is an accomplished equestrian.

More on on 1/2/06 horse-drawn carriage wreck

2006-01-23T21:21:00.000-05:00

The horse's name was "Spotty"

Spotty had to be euthanized because of his broken shoulder, etc.

It seems the horse may have skidded on the wet road, and the accident threw the driver from the cab; the station wagon's two passengers were also injured.
The AP described the scene:
[T]the horse was wrapped around the station wagon, its rear legs on top of it and its head on the ground. The windshield of the car was smashed, and the four-wheel carriage was mangled.
The horse, which remarkably appeared to escape injury, later stood at the scene before being driven away while bucking and kicking in a police wagon.

Mayor Bloomberg needs a reality check

2006-01-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

"Hansom cabs have been a part of this city, it's a tourist attraction,people love 'em, and most of the horses are well-fed and well-taken care of… they work for a living just like you and me."-- Mayor Bloomberg, as quoted in the Daily News on January 18th 2006.

Crash-Hansom Owner Starved Horse

2006-01-20T18:33:00.000-05:00

CRASH-HANSOM OWNER STARVED HORSE
By HEIDI SINGER 1/5/06 New York Post

The owner of the hansom cab involved in a life-threatening crash after its horse bolted has a history of abusing his animals, authorities said.
Lorenzo Riccobono, 52, is well known to animal-rights groups in Pennsylvania, where he rented horses to Amish farmers until selling his barn a few months ago.
In January 2004, a judge in Gap, Pa., found him guilty of animal cruelty and fined him $867 after a starving horse had to be put down.
The horse "was a skeleton," recalled JoAnn Mau- ger, of the Large Animal Protection Society. "He was lying there with the noose still around his neck."
During that investigation, Mauger said she discovered two other starving horses, which Riccobono gave over to authorities as part of the plea deal.
Reached at his Queens home, Riccobono said didn't know what caused the horse to bolt and declined to comment on the Pennsylvania incidents.
"This has got nothing to do with the case," he said. "This horse was in good shape."
Mauger said Riccobono has admitted he buys horses from "kill lots" in New Holland, Pa. — pens where people who give up their horses to be killed can be bought cheaply for meat or other purposes.
But Riccobono insisted he bought "Spotty," the 5-year-old carriage horse, from a Pennsylvania farm, not a kill lot.
On Monday, a Central Park horse and a carriage licensed by Riccobono veered out of control after the horse galloped out of control for several blocks, skidding on the wet road and smashing into a station wagon at 50th Street and Ninth Avenue.
Carriage driver Carmelo Vargas, 36, was thrown 10 feet and critically injured, and the car's two passengers were also hurt. Vargas was upgraded to stable condition yesterday.
Riccobono's brother owned the horse involved in the mishap. It had to be destroyed.

When will NYC get it?

2006-01-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

Many horses that end up pulling carriages through city streets are breakdowns from the harness racing tracks. Standardbreds are often trained to race by being tethered to the back of a truck that drives increasingly faster. But standardbreds are much smaller and lighter than traditional draft horses and are not accustomed to pulling heavy loads.
Most cities have only minimal regulations governing working conditions for carriage horses, and these regulations are rarely enforced. Carriage horse operators know all the loopholes in their city's laws.
Horses and heavy traffic can be a deadly mix. Despite carriage horse operators' claims, most horses are not comfortable working among cars and trucks. Many accidents, injuries and even deaths have been caused by horses becoming spooked in traffic. A survey of national carriage horse accidents revealed that 85 percent of all accidents were the result of an animal spooking.
Conditions for carriage horses usually aren't very good off the streets. Stables have been found to have exposed stalls with no hay or other bedding, stall floors covered with urine and manure, poor ventilation in the stables, and horses that had no free access to water. Has City Council asked where and how these horses would be kept? Who would make sure the stable conditions are satisfactory, the already overworked humane society?
People around the country are increasingly recognizing that it's the carriage horse industry - not just the horses - who are taking them for a ride. Pressure from concerned residents has resulted in bans on carriage horses in a growing number of cities, including Palm Beach, Fla.; Santa Fe, N.M.; and Las Vegas.

Horse Drawn Carriages and Manhattan are not a good mix

2006-01-18T17:53:00.000-05:00

Scene of the wreck on 1/2/06.
The ASPCA wants to see hansom cabs banned from city streets."Our suggestion is they belong in Central Park," Ed Sayers of the ASPCA said. "Certainly you can have a very nice horse and carriage program in Central Park and keep those horses out of traffic."
I must disagree with Mr. Sayers. Manhattan is not rural America. There should be a substitute for horse-drawn carriages. The entire service is inhumane. The horses are worked long hours in extreme temperature. They are not exercised. There is no paddock in Central Park. Limiting the horses to Central Park is not like allowing them to run in the open fields freely. Central Park consists of asphalt roads - mini highways. I cannot imagine the pain these horses endure pounding the pavement day after day, night after night.

A horse's wish

2006-01-18T08:43:00.000-05:00

VS.
"My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that it was wisest always to do my best to please my master; "but," said she, "there are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for all that.

I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name."
-Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)

Horse Drawn Carriages Operate in the Rain

2006-01-17T18:08:00.000-05:00

It is going to pour tonight in New York. As you can see it doesn't matter to the drivers or the riders or humanity looking on that these horses are subjected to extreme weather conditions.

photo by Lincoln Karim www.palemale.com

Horse Drawn Carriage Fact Sheet from PETA

2006-01-17T18:05:00.000-05:00

http://www.peta.org/pdfs/HorseDrawnCarriageFactsheet.pdf

The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never. ~Yiddish Proverb

2006-01-17T05:57:00.000-05:00

photo by Lincoln Karim www.palemale.com

Just another night in traffic...........

2006-01-16T20:18:00.000-05:00

The weather is so cold tonight in New York- in the teens easily and I think of the horses working.
Picture courtesy of Lincoln Karim www.palemale.com

Why I am involved in this issue.........

2006-01-16T14:06:00.000-05:00

how could I not be........I like so many others accepted NYC horse-drawn carriages as a fixture of Manhattan's tourist scene. I never rode in one and would only see them from afar until last year. My awareness was heightened by a dear soul who is the careful and concerned watcher of that famous Fifth Avenue resident red-tailed hawk "Pale Male." This watcher's name is Lincoln Karim and he is a superb photographer. He peppers his website www.palemale.com with photographs of nature, i.e. other birds, an occasional cute squirrel and a stoic owl. Lincoln is very passionate about the carriage horses, as he is a daily first hand witness of the life these beautiful horses lead, as he positions himself in Central Park nearly every day to photograph Pale Male, et al. Naturally, Lincoln occasionally publishes some harsh and realistic photos of the carriage horses.....it was an eye opener for me. Everything culminated for me when I sat in traffic one night on my way to Lincoln Center. I was sitting in a cab near Central Park and a horse-drawn carriage was along side me. It was a cold artic night in January. The horse was about two feet away. The horse's head was hanging low in line with the tail pipe of a running car directly in front of the animal. The horse's coat was dull and ladened with worn patches from its dressing. My heart just broke and I began to weep. Weep because such alleged abuse, in my opinion, was occurring before my very eyes... before the world and no one at that moment cared enough for that wonderful animal. I knew then that I was going to get involved somehow in the banning of horse drawn carriages in NYC. This atrocitiy only exists because of the power of the tourists' dollars. There must be another way...a substitute for the horse drawn carriage in Manhattan.....a substitute that will attract tourists and not involve the use of a living, feeling animal............

PETA's response to the NYC horse-drawn carriage accident

2006-01-16T13:57:00.000-05:00

http://www.peta.org/alert/Automation/AlertItem.asp?id=1708

Mahatma Gandhi once said.........

2006-01-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Profile of a horse-drawn carriage driver

2006-01-16T12:56:00.000-05:00

http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2005/03/09/joe_horsedrawn_carriage_driver.php

Wild Horse Collides With Car In Midtown - NYC 1/2/06

2006-01-16T12:52:00.000-05:00

http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_003053639.html

Another Horse's "Tale"

2006-01-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9903,trebay,3581,4.html

Martha Stewart's daughter says ban New York horse-drawn carriages

2006-01-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/story.html?id=7956a279-be05-4577-8cbc-72da88222ac9&k=79400

An Informative website detailing the dangers of horse-drawn carriages generally

2006-01-16T12:33:00.000-05:00

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/campaign/sport/omnibus.htm

Important Meeting In NYC

2006-01-16T12:32:00.000-05:00

An Important meeting concerning the NYC Carriage Horses:Community Board For Transportation Planning CommitteeWednesday, January 18, 2006 at 6:15 PM330 W. 42nd St. 26th Fl. (between 8th and 9th Ave.)

Petition To Ban Carriage Horses in NYC

2006-01-16T12:31:00.000-05:00

http://new.petitiononline.com/ch4ny123/petition.html