TWO BITS OF HISTORY
regarding horse-drawn carriages in NYC
According to NY1 TV, the last horse-drawn taxi stopped operating on July 26, 1917.
When did the present day horse-drawn carriage trade for tourists begin? It began during the mayoral term of Irish born William O'Dwyer, the 100th mayor of New York City. He was elected in 1945, heavily backed by the Tammany Hall Democrats. Eventually confronted with a police corruption scandal, he resigned from office on August 31, 1950.
O'Dwyer always looked out for his Irish friends and during his time in office, he issued 68 medallions to these friends to set them up in business giving carriage rides to tourists. These medallions are privately owned.
To this day, there are O'Dwyers still involved with the business of the carriage industry.
YOU WANT TO HELP -- BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?
two things ...
First of all -- never give up. We aren't. Of course it is a challenge to know what to do any more. The most important thing is that you must not allow any of the elected representatives to assume you have given up on this issue. The City Council with its 51 Council Members has little power. However, it is OK to continue to let them know that you want to see the carriage industry end -- after all, they should hear from their constituents. But all the power lies with the Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, so I ask you to reach out to her in a polite way. A majority of council members could sign on to Intro 86, but if Quinn does not support it, it will go no where. She calls the shots. She decides what bills will come up for a vote and which ones will be supported.
Nevertheless, she needs to know that there are people out there who want to see this industry end. It is inhumane for the horses, but also a safety issue for people. In addition, if the classic cars became a reality, the drivers would have better paying and more secure jobs. How can she be opposed to that?
Quinn is not animal friendly and is a big friend to the industry. But she needs to hear from the opposition. She can be contacted through her web site. Please be polite. Click here to contact her. You may also contact your Council Members by clicking here.
CONTACT NYC'S TOURISM AGENCY
2nd suggestion
NYC and Company is the official tourism agency in partnership with the City of NY. They are one of the prime resources to the mayor regarding tourism. Please write to the head of this agency,
- George A. Fertitta -- gfertitta@nycgo.com
You can address such issues as the industry being a blot on NYC's image; how Central Park South smells very badly; how it is inherently inhumane; how it is dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. Because of their size and physiology, horses are unwitting weapons. They can spook easily and cause a lot of damage. Recently, an accident in Iowa involving carriage horses resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to 25 others.
If you do not live in NYC, say that you will not visit the city - or how you have avoided the area if you have visited. Also say that the new legislation did not do anything to help the horses - that it was mainly about giving the drivers a raise. Horses are still deprived of water in Central Park in the winter months and their stalls are less than half of what experts suggest.
RESPONSE FROM NYC AND COMPANY
how to deal with it
The tourist agency, NYC and Company, is sending out boiler plate letters in response to your letters. Speaker Quinn's office is doing the same thing. They are saying that Intro 35 was just signed into law and helps the horses. It does not. For example, the letters mention that the stall sizes were increased but the reality is that the stalls are still less than half what experts recommend.
Please learn more about Intro 35. See this video/slide show on Youtube called Take the Money and Run. If you want to know more about the issue, you owe it to yourself to look at this video. You can send this link to Quinn's office and the tourist agency -- (two photos above of horse eating off the street by Vivi Bong.)
THE LIFE OF A CARRIAGE HORSE
is that of a slave ... a prisoner
They never get to run, buck and play ... to graze on grass and socialize with the other horses. They never get to do what horses were intended to do -- live free on their own terms. They go from being confined between the shafts of their carriage for nine hours straight to being confined to the prison cell that is their stall. This is grossly and inherently inhumane. It is institutional cruelty.
This is from Equine Advocates' website: "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."
The picture above is of former Boston carriage horses and BFFs Monty and Teddy doing a chest bump and living the good life -- both rescued by Central New England Equine Rescue. Teddy, to the right, is wearing a mask because he is head of the Carriage Horse Liberation Front. (it is actually a fly mask to protect his face )
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
and be part of our Action Alert list for carriage horses
We have several volunteer opportunities available:
- tabling or flyering to hand out educational information to tourists and others
- help with our upcoming fund raiser in October
- help with our international coalition event in early December for Horses Without Carriages International
Please contact me at coalition@banhdc.org for more information.
If you would like to be part of our Action Alert e-mail list, please send an e-mail to coalition@banhdc.org. E-mails will be sent out when action is needed such as writing letters to the editor of a publication or a legislator -- (photo by Claire Bradin)
HORSE DROPS DEAD IN OLD QUEBEC CITY
exhausted from heat
7/28/10 - CTV.ca - A horse pulling tourists on a caleche on the streets of Old Quebec had to be put down Tuesday night.
A veterinarian was called to the scene after the animal collapsed in its tracks due to dehydration and exhaustion. It was suffering heart failure and could not be resuscitated.
Horse pulling caleches put down in Old Quebec street
The ten-year-old horse had pulled tourists through the old town on five caleche rides in the high heat.
It had been pulling carts for four years.
.
The text was how it was reported in the media. This poor enslaved horse was certainly more than an "it." We have been informed that there will be a demonstration to protest the use of horse-drawn carriages and to call for a ban:
- Join activists and NHL star Georges Laraque
- Saturday, August 7th at 12:00 Noon
- Steps of Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal, Between Rue Saint-Paul and Rue Le Royer
- They ask that you bring posters and signs
COZUMEL CAMPAIGN PICKING UP
Join Facebook campaign
Cozumel, which is part of Mexico, is a big tourist place ... with a deadly carriage horse trade. Please join this cause on Facebook -- called No Calesas En Cozumel. More to come about petitions, etc. These horses work in 100 degree temperatures and according to an e-mail from a local group - drink from puddles, abused by the driver's whip if they slip, are malnourished. The authorities do nothing -- sound familiar?
JOIN US ON FACE BOOK & SIGN ONLINE PETITION
"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has." Margaret Mead.
