*Aleksandr Petrovsky & Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex And The City”
Right off the bat, you all know I’m definitely not the stereotype of a girl when it comes to most things…this also includes the topic of romance. I’ve never fantasized about my wedding, I don’t swoon over flowers and I’d find it super uncomfortable if a guy asked me to ride a horse and carriage. Despite really not preferring those actions, I can appreciate the thought…I’m not entirely a dude.
The horse and carriage topic makes me uncomfortable for reasons other than my inability to stomach a cheesy romantic moment.
If you live in New York or have visited, you are probably aware of those horse carriages lining Central Park. In the blistering Summer heat or the numbing Winter cold, they’re out there. Dressed like they’ve just trotted out of a silly romance novel with feathers and trinkets adorning them, wooing tourists and serving as memorable moments for couples in love.
At quick glance, most people might just be in awe of seeing these beautiful creatures strangely placed in such an overwhelming metropolis like New York. But, if you really look at it you might notice how sad these horses are and how absurdly dangerous it not only looks, but actually is. They’re trotting on the concrete next to bumper to bumper traffic, and sometimes right in the thick of it. Not only is it dangerous for them, but for the people around them.
*A Horse and Carriage in Traffic (Images via New York Times)
*A Horse and Car Accident (Images via HuffingtonPost.Com)
The more I researched this topic the more I found horrible statistics of cruelty, accidents, and deaths. I can’t even get into the animal cruelty, it’s just sick. I know I’m getting all Lisa Simpson here, but abusing anyone who is helpless to your power is sick (human or not). These beautiful creatures are not housed in barns or anything else that would actually make sense. NO – they’re housed in old tenement buildings where they’re forced up stairs (yes, stairs) and into small areas where they are unable to lay down or move. Even Jon Stewart once referred to the area where they keep them as “The sad-eyed horse carriage district” and believe me, it’s sad.
According to NYCLASS.ORG:
“They routinely work at least 9 hours a day, pulling a vehicle that weighs hundreds of pounds, on hard pavement, while breathing exhaust from cars, buses and taxis. Unaccustomed to the urban environment, horses can be “spooked” easily and cause accidents that inflict great damage on vehicles, drivers and most often, the horses themselves. There were six accidents in the Summer and Fall months of 2011 alone”
Yes, spooked and anything can spook them – flashing lights, loud noises, masses of people. Sounds like all the elements of a city, right? Like, exactly where they should not be. Oh and get this. When they can’t work anymore they’re auctioned off and inhumanely slaughtered into horse meat and sold in Mexico and Canada. It sounds like a sick horror movie, right?
*A Horse and Car Accident (Images via In Defense Of Animals)
I found this trailer for the documentary “BLINDERS” that discusses this entire nightmare of an issue in depth. Please watch it:
*An electrocuted horse (Images via BlindersTheMovie.Com)
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More Facts About Horse Drawn Carriages In New York:
1. New York City Has The Highest Horse-Drawn Carriage Accident Rate In The Country:
There are cases from horses getting spooked and running into traffic to cabs plowing into the animals, all of which leave injured or dead victims.
2. Public Safety:
Not only is it an issue for the horses, but for the humans surrounding them.
3. Traffic Congestion:
No explanation needed. As if New York needs more traffic!
4. Poor Sanitation:
Most times the Carriage Drivers don’t clean up after the horses, which is a terrible experience to walk by – but, also creates concern for disease which could transfer from animals to humans.
5. Lack Of Economic Benefits for New York City:
The Horse Carriage business is cash only and not meter regulated, which means – that money does not benefit New York City.
Not only that, but New York City has to pay to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to monitor the horses and repair damages left by the carriages.
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Some could argue that “there are more important things to fight for” and sure that is true. In that case, I’d suggest those people fight for those causes that are important to them and educate people as I am or as these organizations do. No need to argue what is more important, just do something…anything. Others could argue that these horses, without a job, would end up as horse meat faster. While that could be true, why have them live a terrible life with the same inevitable end? If horse carriages are so important, why not do it right? Build stables and contain them in environments natural to them? If not, why should they and innocent people suffer from the mistake of having them in environments that are unfit for them?
I know this DISCUSS Post was a bit more of me informing and stating my own opinion, rather than fairly giving both sides. I feel very strongly about this and wanted to say it. I think Horse Carriages are inhumane and outdated, I also think it’s a major safety concern for the people around them. You are more than welcome to have your opinion. You may disagree with me and you may not care, thats cool too. That is the beauty of this country (and my blog, I don’t censor). I just thought it would be important (as I always do) to share my finds.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE…
SIGN THE PETITION HERE
NYCLASS.ORG
February 15, 2012
Interesting post Vashtie. I’ve always seen those horses and agreed they looked sad and downtrodden. I thought thats what happened when animals are held in captivity. I didnt know the owners mistreated the aninals through such dire living conditions. Thanks for the eye opener and for help taking the “blinders” off. #petition signed
February 15, 2012
Thx for this post! I’ve only visited NYC once and I totally agree about the poor horses. That’s exactly what I thought when I saw them in the summer heat. But I wasn’t aware that they also live under such terrible conditions. Of course I signed the petition and hopefully a lot more people will do!
February 15, 2012
I consider myself a very compassionate person who works to make our world a better place. However I am startled by how horrible this practice is for animals, I am glad to now be able to view this within the context animal rights. Something which I had never done before. Thanks for educating! I will spread the word about this.
February 15, 2012
wow thank you so much for this, as an animal owner and lover, im appalled and disgusted by this. NYC is one of my fav places in the world and i couldn’t even imagine how bad it can be. The poor horses, such beautiful and creatures.This needs to stop for real.
February 15, 2012
totally boycotting
February 15, 2012
Vash im loving these discuss pieces. I’ve often looked at these horses and been puzzled by their gloomy look. Thanks for shining light on this inhumanity occurring.
February 15, 2012
Unless we put pressure on the politicians, the horses will have no hope.
Its truly a thing of the past and electric carriages could be just as romantic and cheesey without the smell of manure and less people stepping in it around the Columbus Circle area.
Like all progressions of the past it will take the young generations to help the older generations step into a better and different future with less unnecessary cruelty.
February 15, 2012
i love love love this post. It’s great that you’re spreading awareness and i’m behind you 100%. I never knew the background story to their mistreatment. This was definitely an eye opener.
February 15, 2012
I live in Charlotte, NC and we also have those horses walking around Dtown, I’ve always felt bad for them. thanks! for bringing this to my attention even more
February 16, 2012
Long ago, I went to the Poconos with the intention of getting a horse ride. I was hell bent too. But, once we got there and saw the look on the horses’ faces, it scarred me. And the horses in NY always look frightened. #signingpetition
February 16, 2012
This is libelous garbage. I hope you hear from the NYC Horse and Carriage Association’s attorneys. You are free to have an opinion – you are not free to lie.
February 16, 2012
You people like to lie alot dont You! N.Y.C. does not have a High death rate of carriage horses. Get the facts. The horse did not hit a cab. another lie. There is no disease that can harm humans. Another lie. The horses and their stables are clean. What You see is mostly from mounted cops. Another lie anti carriage idiots like to tell.
February 16, 2012
Here we go again – the same old lies, misrepresentations, and libel presented as truth, when nothing could be further from the truth than the so-called “facts”. Oh, and you do know that you can be sued for libel, right?
Here are the real facts: there has NEVER been a carriage horse driver cited for abuse of a carriage horse. There has NEVER been a citation for mistreatment, cruelty, etc. Three horses have died in traffic accidents while on duty in over 30 years; seven other horses have died while working in over 30 years. That’s 10 horses in over 30 years! I am in no way minimizing the death of any horse, but that is a remarkable record. There is no other riding discipline that can come close to that number.
There have been no human deaths in any of the accidents and only one carriage driver has been injured.
The drivers must present ALL the paperwork upon demand by an ASPCA agent or city inspector. The ASPCA performs, on average, about 180 hackline inspections every year (about once every other day, where they check all paperwork, plus the horses). That’s not counting stable inspections and individual horse inspections. And that’s not counting inspections by the city inspectors.
The New York City carriage horses are some of the most regulated animals in this country. The fact there has never been a citation for mistreatment or cruelty, even with an awful lot of folks looking for it, speaks volumes.
There are very few diseases a person can get from a horse.
As for traffic, on December 29, 2011, Mayor Bloomberg, Transportation Commissioner Sadik-Khan, and Police Commissioner Kelly announced an all-time record low in traffic fatalities in 2011 –http://tinyurl.com/bpwrb3b
If you don’t think the carriage horses bring an economic benefit to the city, then you really need to take an Economics 101 class.
And this: “Not only that, but New York City has to pay to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to monitor the horses and repair damages left by the carriages” is flat out ludicrous.
Facts are such pesky little things, aren’t they?
February 17, 2012
Here we go again! – to borrow a phrase from the late President Ronald Reagan. Another anti-carriage horse article written by a writer playing fast and loose with the “facts” justify an already-formed opinion.
FACT- Only THREE carriage horses have died as a result of traffic incidents in 30 years- and in all three fatal accidents, the drivers of the MOTOR vehicles that hit the carriages were at fault. No other horse-related sport or endeavor can match this safety record.
FACT- There have been NO human fatalities and only one serious injury connected with riding in carriages. Three horses have died as a result of motor vehicle collisions and seven others have died while working as carriage horses.= average of one horse death pere every 10 years. Being a carriage horse is probably one of the safest jobs a horse can have. By way of contrast 750 TB race horses died during races or shortly afterward or while actively training at the track last year ALONE– 750 in one year.
FACT- A recent report revealed that NYC’s streets were saffer in 2011 than they have been at any other time. The only other years it was as safe to travel in NYC were during years BEFORE motor vehicles were introduced- back when there were tens of thousands of horses and horse-drawn vehicles in the city.
FACT- Carriage driving is not cruel. Carriage drivers have not been cited for cruelty or neglect of their horses.
FACT- NYC Carriage horses are among the most regulated in the country. Each carriage horse owner/ driver needs 4 different licesces to operate- one for himself/ herself, one for each horse used, one for each carriage and one for the stable or stall area. All of this paperwork is subject to inspection at any time authorities. Three different agencies have authority over the carriage trade.
Fact- The NYC carriage horses DO NOT work “At least nine hours” a day. THEY work nine hours a day or LESS. They cannot, bu law work one minute LONGER than 9 hours a day. And this included their trip back an forth to their STABLES.
FACT- Stables that ARE buildings originally built as STABLES not tenements. They walk up inclined ramps with safety strips to make sure they do not slip. They have free choice hay and water in their stalls equiped with an automatic watering system- they have fresh water whenever thay desire at the touch of a nose. They have a misting and fan cooling system for hot weather and fire sprinklers for safety.
FACT- The stalls are large enough for the horses to turn around and LIE, not l”ay,” down in. Horses don’t lay, hens do.
FACT- The horses and their DRIVERS do not work when temps fall below 18 F or climb above 89F – 89 F is hardly “blistering heat” at least not where I live. And remember, whatever the weather, if the carriage horses are out in it so are the carriage drivers.
FACT- Carriages weigh much less than cars, buses and trucks that travel NYC’s streets. There are ONLY 68 of them operating at any one time. Most are built of metal, wood and or fiberglass and have solid rubber “tiers” on their wheels. Pray tell, how do 68 such carriages cause “hundreds of thousands of dollars damage” to NYC’s infrastructure in just one year.
FACT- Traffic congestion is caused by the hundreds of thousands of motor vehicles in the city NOT 68 carriages operating in or near Central Park most of the time. Want less traffic? Limit the number of motor vehicles allowed in the city. More carriages, fewer cars.
When will the twisted stats, misrepresentations, false allegations and outright LIES stop!!!
February 17, 2012
Damn, Anonymous.. you mad?
#signing petition
BOWBOWBOW!
WAAAKKAAA
February 17, 2012
Dude, what the hell is up with Anonymous?!? And sued for libel? Go find a hobbie. Thank you Vashtie for posting this, everyone should be more informed about this, it’s so sad. Signed petition!!
February 18, 2012
Hey Va$h!! I just signed the petition and got my sister to sign. I love how you always stand for what you believe in
February 18, 2012
Vashtie really does need to take a course in journalism–The one that explains how inportant it is to get your FACTS straight.
How can anyone form a credible opinion without having FACTS?
Vashtie’s article smacks of “truthiness.”
February 18, 2012
Sorry, but I can’t applaud anyone who “takes a stand” based on misinformation, and OUTRIGHT lies. Do some research next time Vashti. I’m not going to bother listing all the lies and misinformation in your anti-carriage horse rant– others have already done that. But for all of you readers, I would urge you to do your own research before blindly signing some petition without knowing the FACTS about the independent carriage horse owenrs and drivers of NYC and their horses.
February 18, 2012
I just have to shake my head about the stairs (which are ramps) My horses live on a farm and we have some hills… My horses are “forced” to go up and down those hills all the time… Should I call a bulldozer and have that cruel part of their life seen to? Seriously… You think going up an incline surface is a problem for a HORSE? Have you ever heard of Cougar Rock in the Tevis cup? Why don’t you Google it and get back to me. You know what other horses in NYC go up a ramp… The show horses who compete at Madison Sq. Garden. Have you ever seen that painting of Napoleon with the red cape and rearing horse? That’s the St. Bernard pass…and you know about the westward expansion in the USA…do you think people had their horses airlifted over the Rocky mountains? Why don’t you take a trip to the grand canyon and not take mule ride (you have to book a year in advance) and then come home and tell us again about the infamous ramp the NYC horses use to go to their comfortable stalls with fresh hay and water.
February 21, 2012
How sad! I didn’t realize this was the case for these poor horses!
February 22, 2012
I really don’t care which of the facts being argued here are accurate or not. There’s no arguing with the fact that horse-drawn carriages in the middle of NYC traffic in all kinds of weather is ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!
February 22, 2012
The horse and carriage as a means of transportation was meant for another age – WHEN THERE WERE NO CARS, TRAFFIC, POLLUTION, ETC., and when people cared more about the welfare of their animals than they did about the almighty buck. This is definitely ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!
February 22, 2012
Hey, I don’t think Vashtie is stylish at all but this post is the best thing I have seen her doing so far in her “career” and when she’s right she’s right! This is animal cruelty right there!
Anonymous can BS as much as he wants he’s probably a 65 yo retired horse carriage driver.
Fact is, these guys don’t give a fuck about these horses the only thing that matters is the cold hard cash.
I have seen it myself many times. These horses are exhausted. Through the crazy crowded NYC traffic they have to make their way back standing there all day with no hope to ever escape, with a carrot every 4 hrs.. You know who’s cruel – people are cruel. Greedy human beings are. They should carry a horse around all day and then get locked up in a cell. I ‘ll sign this petition. kthanx
February 23, 2012
I completely agree with Vashtie that this is animal cruelty. Running around all day long, on concrete is cruel. Being exposed to city traffic is dangerous. In fact, lets just start using humans as our method for pulling carriages. These horses do not have a choice, and I highly doubt any horse or true concerned owner would consider this fair and just treatment.
February 23, 2012
I’d also like to see Vash advocate for the welfare of those humans that make her sneakers; I’d be impressed if she did.