To an applauding studio-audience on John Stewart’s “The Daily Show” in 2014, Bill de Blasio said “It’s not fair when you think about what their lives should be and what our society is like.” Ending the horse carriage industry in NYC was among his first campaign promises which never came to fruition. Now, with just over a month remaining in his final term, Mayor de Blasio is taking his final stand to end horse drawn carriages in New York City.
Fettering an animal to a cart and forcing it to pull humans, on cement, across the noisiest and most automobile-packed environment on earth sounds like an irresponsible idea. That’s not an incorrect perspective. But observing other perspectives involved provides a clearer picture as to why Bill de Blasio, after eight years, struggles to end the romanticized profession of carriage horses, which on paper, sounds barbaric.
Advertisement
In 2010, Dr. Harry Werner, a past president of The American Association of Equine Practitioners, was asked to assess the health and well-being of five stables operating horses in Manhattan. Four years later, a newly appointed Mayor de Blasio began his campaign to end the industry. At that time, Werner told The New York Times, “Based on that inspection, I found no evidence whatsoever of inhumane conditions, neglect or cruelty in any aspect… what happens is that people anthropomorphize… They see a circumstance where they wouldn’t want to work in it, and think a horse wouldn’t work in it.”
In 2014, The New York State Veterinary Medical Society wrote an open letter to the new Mayor, opposing his proposal to eliminate the horse-drawn carriage industry. They wrote, “The equine practitioner members of the NYSVMS, both within the City of New York and elsewhere, have familiarized themselves with the conditions under which these animals live and work and find they are healthy, happy, well-fed and sheltered. They are the recipients of the best level of health care possible.”
The industry is well regulated but not without abuses – and with nearly eight million cellphones in transit, there have been plenty of unsettling events documented. Horses are known to spook easily, and that doesn’t bode well in the noisiest and most unpredictable of concrete jungles. Earlier this year, a horse named Chief became scared, the driver lost control, and the horse smashed into a parked BMW, knocking itself unconscious. A gathering crowd captured the bloodied animal as it lay across the concrete. Chief awoke, hooves flailing, damaging the car, the carriage and himself. Three days later, PETA and NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets) demonstrated by gathering at the site and throwing fake blood on the street, recalling the gore witnessed days before.
Another incident occurred in March 2020 when a carriage horse named Aisha collapsed and died in Central Park. It was captured on video and sparked protests from the same organizations.
? PROTEST MONDAY: Autopsy reveals NYC carriage horse Aysha KILLED by industry-wide neglect + preventable disease enabled by @nycHealthy – like so many other carriage horses. NY Veterinarian + NYCLASS call on @NYCCouncil to BAN the abuse. 12pm-1pm March 1: https://t.co/t3OAmUaeH1 pic.twitter.com/eyx7TT1qqk
— NYCLASS (@nyclass) February 28, 2021
After an autopsy, there were no signs of neglect. However, the horse had an undiagnosed genetic disease called polysaccharide storage myopathy, or PSSM. Eileen Jefferson, a New York State Representative for The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, told AMNY, “Despite such a high prevalence of this disease in draft horses, there has been no indication that the New York City carriage industry utilizes any of the available diagnostic screens to prevent the potentially excruciating and debilitating effects of PSSM.”
Mayor de Blasio is set to push new legislation through City Council in the coming days, while advocates from both sides line up in support or opposition. Both sides declare to know what’s best for these animals. Both sides declare they know what it’s like to walk a mile in a horse’s shoes.
I spoke recently to a horse owner who claimed this was all about money and realestate. Which supporter of the animal rights groups has realestate interest and what part can the removal of horses from the city be impacted for a developer?
Exactly right Iz. As in nearly all cases of government “compassion” an oxymoron if there ever was one, it’s the money or the power or both at its root.
Agree with Derek and IZ– Do a deep dive into the background of this situation and you will see how real estate ppl and big maoney are behind this — they want the horse boarding facility . Another aspect which all may not agree with of course is this– If these horses were not carrying carriages in NYC and “earning their keep”–can we be sure they would have a better life elsewhere – it is costly to properly house and maintian a horse.
John I agree and I’ll take it one step further. These horses would never have been sired if they did not have an intended purpose in life. We humans have jobs, rewards and purpose why not horses?
A final poke in the eye to endure by our most self-interested yet syrupy-moralizing mayor ever?
Virtue signaling on his way out.
de Blasio campaigned on ending horse & carriage cruelty. He vowed that he would get it done. He failed. Don’t let the door hit you…