1. I stayed in a hotel directly across from the horses outside of Central Park. It was a very hot day and few of the animals received water or were put in the shade. If the carriage trade is to continue, it should only be allowed within the park and should be strictly monitored by an animal rights group.

Posted at 10:13AM on Oct 12th 2007 by Macushla

2. There is no way that this practice can be humane in an urban environment like NY. Horses don't belong in traffic. They are fearful creatures and are easily spooked. They don't deserve to live in hot warehouses where they don't have the room to lie down. Horses need turnout, they need room to run, roll around, and socialize with other horses. It's a miserable life for them and they deserve better. A horse died in September because he was spooked by urban noise. How many deaths will it take before Mayor Bloomberg and the city council are willing to do the right thing and ban this cruel industry?

Keeping horses in the park will not solve the problem. The horses would still have to commute to their stables on the far west side of manhattan which are up to 2 miles away. They have to pull the carriage through some of the most congested areas of the city. There is traffic in central park as well, and loud noises, potholes, manhole covers, and crowds, which, according to the carriage horse industry's training manual, are known to spook horses. The temperature issue won't go away either--it will still be hot and humid, and freezing cold in the winter. Face it, NY can live without horse-drawn carriages. It's time to retire this 19th century relic.

Posted at 9:27PM on Oct 12th 2007 by Jill

3. It is impossible to "better regulate" this trade and anyone who thinks so does not know what they are talking about and does not know the history of the horse carriage business in NYC. The carriage industry has always fought tooth and nail against more regulations – not even to add a humidity or wind chill factor to the existing regulations – something that would have made the horses more comfortable. To them – it is only about the dollar. They have a sense of entitlement from years of being the favorites of politicians and mayors. But the new NYC tour site (from NYC and Company) and promotional video interestingly does not even mention the carriage horses.

Better regulations and the horse carriage trade is a dichotomy. This trade is not worth saving. These conveyances belong in the 19th century – not the 21st century of one of the most important and global cities in the world. The absurd image of a horse and carriage alongside cars, emergency vehicles and diesel spewing tour busses shames our great city. And the fact that a good number of these horses go to the auctions and on to slaughter is something no one in authority wants to face. Out of sight – out of mind.

The only humane solution for the horses – and intelligent solution for a sophisticated and 21st century city like NYC is to ban this industry …. and to find good homes for the horses. Our web site is being redesigned and has not been updated since September. Since that time, Smoothie, a young mare, died in the line of duty after being spooked on Central Park South – purportedly from street musicians. So the industry and their PR people demanded that street musicians be banned. Maybe they should ask for a no talking zone also. Can’t wait to see what Council Member sponsors this ridiculous legislation.

Our web site is www.banhdc.org and www.nycanimals.org If you would like to receive weekly updates, please e-mail is through either of these websites. Elizabeth / Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages for the Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc.

Posted at 7:29AM on Oct 13th 2007 by Elizabeth Forel

4. AS the owner of the largest fleet of horse drawn carriages and a stable owner,with 21 of my own horses,i must state these animal extremists,are not in any way explaining truths about our industry.They all have a ''donation'' box on all their websites,to scam people in by telling lies and giving misiformation,they should be ashamed of themselves.Our stables pass every inspection by all governing agencies,and every horse can lie down,turn around and ''socialize'' with the neighboring horses.Shame on these illinformed lying extremists,Get a life!

Posted at 10:41PM on Oct 16th 2007 by Anita Gerami

5. I honestly think that the carriage trade can co-exist with the city. New York City just closed the riding stable area that was close tot he park. Could the horses be relocated there? Closer to the park? I can honestly say that I have never been to NY City so I don't know the conditions but I have seen that the horses are checked on a regular basis by the A.S.P.C.A. and if conditions are too hot or whatever they are sent back to the stables. I am not condoning that the carriage trade should go or stay but they are a part of the history of the city. There has to be a ntch for them somewhere.
If Niagara Falls can find a spot in their hearts and their city for them maybe NY City can too. In the end, my only concern is for the horses welfare.

Posted at 9:14AM on Oct 18th 2007 by Julia

6. Some of the companies that own these horses take very good care of them and make sure they have plenty of shade and water. But some do not. They are the ones that should be punished for not having adequate protection for the horses and the conditions in which they are forced to be in.

Posted at 10:08AM on Oct 18th 2007 by Vicki Jasch

7. The wonderful news is these animal extremists have told so many lies and myths about our industry,that the majority of the public has had enough of their ranting,and even the media gives them no coverage anymore.WE love the vigils and ''demonstrations'' since they bring more activity to our carriage stands and improve business.So far,we have only seen 1 lonely politician hungry for the press's attention support our opposition.

Posted at 10:42PM on Nov 2nd 2007 by Anita Gerami

8. Finally: a movie that exposes the truth behind the tradition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31GgmMsFzOM

Posted at 9:19AM on Nov 4th 2007 by Blinders Movie

9. The Blinder movie,trailer,is a total dud,the loser who was conned by some extremists who are great at telling lies and making money off good hearted people,with their ''donations'',that do nothing towards helping the horses,which is a proven fact.Please beware of these scams,the trailer gave us carriage owners a chuckle,though,and we are considering making a spoof of it ourselves!

Posted at 7:42PM on Nov 4th 2007 by Anita Gerami

10. Please see the trailer of a new documentary by Donny Moss, called "Blinders," which reveals the truth behind the tradition of horse-drawn carriages in NYC. It is a powerful film!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31GgmMsFzOM

Posted at 5:18PM on Nov 15th 2007 by Jill

11. Hmm, it's interesting that a member of the carriage horse industry is saying that business is improving from rallies and vigils for the horse who died in September. Another stable owner (and "industry spokesman") claimed in the press that the industry is losing business and therefore is seeking a fare hike from the City Council! The industry's high-paid lobbyists are in council member offices as we speak. Where is the truth?

Posted at 5:27PM on Nov 15th 2007 by Jill

12. As a Stable owner and operating the most horse & carriages in NYC,I speak for my stable only.Definitly,there is a increase in business when these ''activists'',make noise.Thankfully,the general public supports our industry,and the proof is in the lines of customers waiting to ride every weekend,and the reservations calling in daily,especially with the holiday season approaching.These extremists who are against the working horses,had to travel out of Manhattan to finally locate a councilman,who they can hold on to,and listen to their lies!

Posted at 8:44AM on Nov 21st 2007 by Anita Gerami

13. It's wonderful to see that the carriage horse owners association has hired a PR guru (aka "flack") to spiff up the industry's image! It's good to know you guys care!

I guess they need a public wizard, because these horses are badly mistreated. It's kind of funny the way the industry tries to minimize our efforts as the misguided work of jobless "animal rights" nuts. Anything to distract people from an important issue, I guess. Let's hope they don't resort to bribery, in the next week or two anyway.

Posted at 10:49PM on Dec 21st 2007 by Karin M

14. Again as a stable owner and owner of 24 draft horses in NYC,I feel compelled to challenge these extremists,especially karen & jill,who so have have shown they are the most ill informed,on this website.You accuse this industry to have ''mistreated horses'' which is such a outragous lie,our horses wouldn't look this wonderful and generate this much business if they looked anything less than perfect.They pass all inspections by vets,the aspca and health dept besides meeting the approval of all the customers who choose to wait in line to ride.For people who have never been inside a nyc stable,or have any first hand expierience working with us and our animals,shame on you for blantly lying ,just because you ''feel'' animals shouldn't have a job. I never hear the police horses metioned and they too travel the same streets and are stabled in manhattan.There are plenty of Police officers who hold carriage drivers licenses,they obviously feel comfortable working with carriage horses in NYC.Instead of generalizing the ''abused horses'' they these ladies seem to see,pick a few out,make a formal complaint,sign your name to it,if you truly believe what you see.So many officers respond to phony complaints often just to waste these officers time with no basis of any sort of merit,its like crying wolf,and only proves that these extremists have too much time on their hands,and bitter and jealousy boiling inside.

Posted at 11:00AM on Dec 29th 2007 by Anita Gerami

15. It is a shame that some of the council members listed to these carriages owners. They chose the greed of the few over the best interest for New Yorkers and these horses.
Not only do I see the cruelty and mistreatment of these horses but also the corruption in NYC politics. This is why New Yorkers voted twice for term limits.
Bloomberg is wrong. Cruelty and corruption should not define NYC.

Posted at 5:40PM on Jan 1st 2008 by Roxanne Delgado

16. Anita,

How often do your 24, excellent looking draft horses get to pasture? How large are their stalls? Are your drivers as passionate about their care as you say you are? Do you use gel pads on your horses feet to help absorb some of the road shock? I now how you owners work and how delusional you can be. I've been on both sides and I know in my heart I'm right. It is hard for you to see the other side because without your 24 draft horses you'd have next to nothing, right?? What sucks is you pass inspections because the people inspecting are ill educated about equine care. So instead of calling these folks "animal extremists" why don't you turn that high powered perception around and point it at yourself. You may be afraid of what you may find......I was.

Posted at 9:30PM on Mar 17th 2008 by alpengold

17. Shame on ''alpengold''[too bad your too shy to print your name].My 24 Draft Horses live in my own stable,which my family has proudly owned for over 40 yrs.We own our own farm,but again you obviously don't notice that you see different horses at differenyt times of the year.Jealousy is just spilling out of your comment,perhaps you WISH to own such a wonderful group of horses,that are involved in my business,of weddings,funerals and hayrides not just central park rides.

Posted at 9:27PM on May 1st 2008 by Anita Gerami

18. I have operated a carriage business in Charleston,SC for over 30 years. My horses and mules work all summer without any problems. My barn and entire operation is open to the public and there is a barn cam on my web site. My transparity is such that I couldn't hide abuse or mistreatment. I have records and phots of dozens of retired animals I've given away. My operation and history are factual evidence that Carriages can operate in urban conditions without harm to the animals that pull them. Whatever their motivation, the animal activists are absolutely wrong. Sad thing is, I don't think they know it.

Posted at 8:56AM on Jul 14th 2008 by Tom Doyle