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HORSE SENSE
Periodic updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses +
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
www.banhdc.org
Horses Without Carriages International
www.horseswithoutcarriages.org
PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ** ** Demo next Sunday 11/24/12 ** Horses Without Carriages Day - 12/1/12 ** Ignoring the law ** another NYC carriage accident **
PROTEST HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES IN NYC
Saturday November 24th
The period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year is very busy for the horse-drawn carriage trade. We will be holding more demos at the hack line, which we will announce in the newsletter, on Facebook and on our web site. Our next demo will be held:
- WHEN: Saturday November 24th - 12:30-2:30
- WHERE: North side - Central Park South near Fifth Avenue.
Please bring yourself and friends and dress warmly. We will have posters but always welcome your creativity if you want to bring your own.
HORSES WITHOUT CARRIAGES INTERNATIONAL DAY
Saturday December 1st
Saturday December 1st is Horses Without Carriages International Day when we stand in solidarity with activists around the world who are working to shut down this inhumane and unsafe trade.
- When: Saturday December 1st 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Where: TBD - we will let you know by next weekend
If you live in a city that supports this inhumane carriage trade and want to do something about it - here are some suggestions:
- Are there any animal rights groups in your city? Contact them to see if they want to work on a campaign.
- If there are none - set up a Meet Up for like minded people.
- Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper about this issue
- If you want to do a bit more and have a few people to help, create a few posters and flyers to hand out to tourists.
STANDARDS IN DRIVING CARRIAGES
NYC drivers ignoring the law
We are opposed to horse-drawn carriages in urban areas - cities like New York, Rome, Atlanta, Cozumel, Montreal, etc. We have seen that many of the drivers do not obey laws, do not understand horses, and do not have the proper skills. The Carriage Operators of North America (CONA) published this article a few months ago. It talks about bad behavior exhibited by many drivers who do not know enough to hold the lead line to the horse when they are not in the carriage. We have seen NYC drivers turn their back on the horse while schmoozing with their fellow drivers. We have seen them do all the things mentioned in this article and more. Horses are unpredictable and if one spooks, the driver will not have the control to prevent the horse from bolting. In 2007, a mare named Smoothie was at the hack line on Central Park South. Her driver was not paying attention. Smoothie was spooked by a loud noise and bolted. Terrified she ran into a tree and died. If her driver had been paying attention he might have prevented a horrible tragedy.
While the CONA article talks about best practices, it happens to be against the law in NYC to leave your horse unattended or untethered. However, as with other regulations, they are rarely enforced.
- � 17-330 Regulations. b. 1. Horses shall not be left untethered or unattended except when confined in a stable or other enclosure. When tethered, all horses shall be secured by the use of a rope attached to the halter, not to the bit or bridle.
This video called Thumb Their Noses at the Law on YouTube documents - in one evening - the number of drivers who disobey the law
ANOTHER CARRIAGE ACCIDENT IN NYC!
Please notify us if you witness anything
On Monday November 12th, a horse named Henry #3445 from the Byrne Stable on 37th St collapsed and injured his knees causing them to bleed. It happened near Tavern on the Green. In August 2011, this same horse collapsed in front of the Plaza. We hope the ASPCA investigates. Drivers are not required to report accidents to the NYPD.
If you see an accident or a violation of the law, please let us know. This is the information we need:
- Dated and time of incident
- Exact location
- take picture or video - try to have it date stamped
- License plate number on back of carriage - VERY IMPORTANT
- Description of what you saw
- Description of the horse and driver
- If possible the 4-digit horse ID number, which is on his left front hoof
- E-MAILS US: coalition@banhdc.org
HELP OUR ORGANIZATION BY SHOPPING ON LINE
Also check out Cafe Press to purchase CBHDC merchandise
Through a free registration with iGive, when you buy merchandise on line, your purchase will help us. There are over 700 stores that include such popular ones as Amazon.com, Staples, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Even Cafe Press is available if you purchase some of our merchandise. Click here to get started.
On iGive - the name of our organization is "The Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc." We also have three stores on Cafe Press with great t-shirts, bags, hats, mugs, mouse pads, etc. Purchasing this merchandise helps our organization. Click here.
"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.
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Thank you for caring about the horses,
Elizabeth Forel - Coalition to Ban
Horse-Drawn Carriages - a standing committee
of The Coalition for New York City Animals,
Inc.
Please DONATE
to our campaign to ban
the inhumane and unsafe carriage horse industry.
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