Comments on: Over the Fence: New York’s Carriage Horses

By: Lava

Lava — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 06:57:48 +0000

I believe we should just ban the abusive owners. Not all carriage owners are abusive and neglecting proper care of the horse.
Some horses love this job. Let them continue to enjoy their work as long as they are taken care of properly.
WE need to start putting our horses back to work for us but love and care for them at the same time. Otherwise what will happen to all our beloved horse friends?
They are part of this country so let’s show them that we love them and have jobs for them. Let’s take proper care of them.
I think we need to start using more horse drawn wagons in the country too. We need to start using our horses as transportation again. It’s a win win situation. But abuse should not be allowed at all.

By: jessie

jessie — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:37:52 +0000

Thank you for writing a positive note about the carriage horses. My dear friend works closely with the equine vets that work on them in NYC. There is a lot of misinformation out there. I shared what she told me on my blog – http://www.theequestrianista.com – here is an excerpt about the horses and my view on what their life could be like without having a job that their employer looks after them!
“Last but not least, Save a horse – take a carriage ride! Friends that I was with for the night, are pro- carriage horses in NYC. After listening to everything that is going on, I want to bring attention to the carriage horses and grow the support for them. There are some radical activists against the horses being in NYC and their cause is growing in the wrong direction. Any horse person could take one look at these carriage horses and tell you, they are being taken care of.
Did you know: These horses retire by age 14, they are fed top quality custom formulated feed and get great hay? Other facts to know about the carriage horses: There are about 250 horses in 3 stables and all of them are taken care of by one equine vet. Already, what they receive in care is 75% better then most horses I know. If you look at them, they are well fed with good muscle tone, they have glossy coats and when you watch them go, their hooves land evenly from top farrier work. They are restricted in how many hours they can work per day/week and during what temperatures(18*- 90*). These horses were meant to work, most of them are mid-weight draft horses. They pull light carriages and walk on even paved streets at a steady walk 99% of the time. Did you know there was a study done to combat protesters upset that the horses are breathing in toxic exhaust? The results were that the horses breathed in fresher air being in the streets because of the airflow than babies, dogs, and all other pedestrians on the side-walk! How about protesting for cleaner air for pedestrians?
Instead of protesting, I encourage all to be pro-active and make things better. Where would these horses be if they weren’t in NYC? Most of them were found at auction or in Amish country. They are too big to just hang out in a pasture, they need activity so they don’t founder, etc… No hoof, no horse! Would they be sent to slaughter? Or Plowing a field somewhere? The other options are less ideal than the one they are in. My suggestions is let them be, educate people, and focus your cause on improving conditions for all carriage horses.”

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:07:45 +0000

I have been a horse person most of my life, riding primarily, up until two years ago I happened to fall in with the carriage horse crowd. Until then, I did not realize what a fantastic avenue it was. People of all ages love carriages, its a family activity, and its a living tie to our past. Today, many people wouldn’t EVER touch a horse if it wasn’t for carriage rides like in central park. The screaming about how its inhumane for carriage horses in the city, is foolish. These animals are pampered and groomed from nose to tail daily. They love their jobs, and often adore the attention they get from customers. In my honest opinion, taking the joy horses away from the people, especially the children, of New York is inhumane.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:19:49 +0000

To the author: I very much enjoyed your gray area view of the issue. My take: horses have been used as work animals for years, they are an animal that gained their popularity though their amazing ability to train to work in so any ways. In our modern horse keeping society where horses are kept just for pleasure it is nice to see these animals still used for work in a way allows non-horse people to see their worth. That said the right of a carriage owner to work should come at the cost of great care for the horse as it does its job and a early and pleasant retirement for each working horse.

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:40:38 +0000

As one of those “animal rights” people, I think deBlasio better concentrate on his promise to reform the NYCACC. That system has been notorious for years of killing healthy animals, even many who had adopters and fosters on the way to get the animals out of there. They have had a horrible kill rate for years. In August this year, over 400 dogs and cats were killed. deBlasio moaned about conditions there, trying to get us to believe he was an animal lover, for shelter reform immediately, and the voters of NYC who love all animals were moved to vote for him. Now, if you write, call, e-mail to ask where that shelter reform is…you get no reply. Not even a form letter. My take is, if he knows for sure how bad the shelter system is, then why isn’t he fixing it? The NYCACC is the embarrassment of NYC. IT is what needs fixed. Why are the carriages the issue he’s doing publicity and photo ops on? Because that’s where his big money backers have concentrated on.

By: Galadriel

Galadriel — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:58:27 +0000

I”m definitely pro carriage horses. As long as they’re well cared for they are happy doing work. Horses are smart and like to keep busy.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:30:04 +0000

I was against the horse carriages for a long time. There were claims being made by anti-carriage groups that I found odd. I’m glad I took a closer look at the issue. I was wrong. These horses are cared for and respected by their owners/drivers, who I have found are some really decent people. Take a look at the testimony of dozens of renowned equine specialists who agree that the horses are right where they belong — in Central Park!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:44:32 +0000

Get the horses off those busy streets NOW !!!

By: Hannah

Hannah — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:42:12 +0000

Wow!

By: j

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:08:02 +0000

cool