The headlines documenting the deaths say it all.
The newspaper photos documenting the accidents tell the story.
The film
Blinders exposes the truth:
Urban centers including New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charleston and other cities in the
U.S. and around the world are no places for horse drawn carriages.
According to both Peggy Parker, formerly of the Carriage Horse Action Committee, and Elizabeth Forel of the Coalition to
Ban Horse Drawn Carriages, the average working life of an urban carriage horse is less than four years, as compared with
that of mounted police horses who are able to serve an average of fifteen years before being retired. One of the worst
horse and mule slaughter auctions in the nation takes place every Monday morning in New Holland, Pennsylvania. At times
you will see horse trailers belonging to some of the New York City carriage horse operators in the massive parking lot
at the auction. It could be that they are there to buy horses for their trade, but there is also the possibility that
they are selling old, used up and/or injured horses and that usually means a horrifying trip to the slaughterhouse.
"
By nature, horses are designed to spend at least 16-18 hours a day moving around freely and grazing on grasses and
shrubs on a fairly forgiving surface of dirt," said Dr. Nina Deibel of Rhinebeck Equine. "
Horses that are used in a
carriage service in a city, such as those in Central Park in New York City, have their wellbeing jeopardized in
several ways. First, the pavement on which they stand all day harnessed to their carriages does not absorb the impact
of their foot falls thereby sending damaging concussive forces up their legs. This can result in musculoskeletal
injuries throughout the horse's body, but particularly in their legs and feet. Secondly, these horses are at risk of
damaging their gastro-intestinal tract since they can not take in a normal amount of roughage and feed. This lifestyle
puts them at a high risk to develop gastric ulcers and other stress related health problems. Thirdly, it has been
reported to me that some of these horses, when not in service, are kept in straight stalls where they are also tied up
and unable to move at their own free will. This significantly contributes to the high stress situation in which they
have to exist and further diminishes their physical and mental health and wellbeing."
Photo credit: KF Wagner/Equine Advocates
Actress Rue McClanahan and New York City Councilman Tony Avella speaking at a press conference outside City Hall
prior to the NYC Council hearings.
Equine Advocates is committed to exposing the truth about the carriage horse trade. EA President, Susan Wagner, spoke
at the New York City Council hearings on January 31, 2009 in support of Intro 658 which would ban horse drawn carriages
from New York City. She was joined by the leaders of other prominent animal protection organizations, veterinarians and
residents of the City of New York who also came to make their views heard. Introduced by New York City Councilman,
Tony Avella, Intro 658 would, if passed, finally put an end to the sad and pathetic existences horses have had to
endure for so many years on the streets of New York City.
Horse drawn carriages have been banned in many cities around the world, including London, Paris, Toronto and Beijing.
Many U.S. cities have also banned them because of safety and congestion problems and humane concerns.
