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 **
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BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR
As we close this year, we want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and the very best wishes for the year ahead. Thanks for your support. It means a lot to us. 2013 promises to be a very interesting one for the carriage horses. We have a mayoral election in November and the results of that will have a big impact on whether or not this business will be shut down. We started this very worthy campaign in 2006, knowing how difficult it would be, and we continue - as strong as ever.
The only viable bill to support is the Avella/Rosenthal bill in the NYS Senate. We have always contended that a ban must not be dependent on the success of a private industry, especially one that will probably not happen and could seriously hurt our chances for a real ban. So let's focus on this bill, which will get a new number in January, and put all our energy behind it. This is a link to an ongoing petition in support of this bill. Click Here. Please sign it if you have not already done so.
CARRIAGE HORSES CONTINUE TO BE DEPRIVED OF WATER
Take action - Central Park Conservancy continues to play scrooge
CARRIAGE HORSES ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH WATER The Central Park Conservancy is responsible for the management of day to day activities in Central Park (New York City) - including making sure the water troughs for the horses are kept clean and in working order. They fail miserably in this task and they need to be held accountable for their failure to take action. They have been asked to solve this problem for over one year but have both ignored us and then put us off.
Money should not be a problem. They are a wealthy not-for-profit organization. According to the Better Business Bureau, they had $13,737,000 income in excess of expenses for 2010. Douglas Blonsky is the President and CEO.
THIS IS THE PROBLEM: There are two water troughs for the horses in Central Park. One near Sixth Avenue that works - and one near Fifth Avenue that is turned off in the cold months.
Presently, it is bone dry and used as a trash receptacle. What adds insult to injury is that this trough was donated to the ASPCA many years ago and is engraved with an inscription. But the ASPCA turns its head to this suffering while they continue to ask you for donations.
Up until a few years ago, both troughs were shut down from approximately November through March due to cold weather. Then because of an outcry from activists, the Parks Department reworked the plumbing on the Sixth Avenue trough making it operable all year round. When the weather is warmer, both troughs are operable. It is not acceptable to allow only one trough to be operable during the busiest time of the year.
Although the drivers are required to carry water buckets, I have never seen one of them water his horse in this way. Instead, many of the horses go without water.
Those drivers who go into the Park at Seventh Avenue never pass a trough and thus do not have the opportunity to water their horse.
"Inadequate watering of a working horse can lead to serious health consequences," said Susan Wagner, equine expert and president of Equine Advocates, a rescue and equine sanctuary in Chatham, NY. "Horses that work require anywhere from 10 to 20 gallons of water daily," she said. "Adequate water consumption is essential for the health of the working equine and is extremely important in helping to reduce the risk of a variety of serious problems, including colic, which can be fatal."
"It is outrageous and disturbing that one of the two water troughs installed for New York City carriage horses is not operational during the busiest time of the year," said Wagner. "Giving horses electrolytes to replace the minerals they lose when working, followed by fresh water are also vital in keeping them healthy. I have serious doubts about whether these horses are receiving the proper amount of water and electrolytes they need on a daily basis. "Offering working horses warm water during the winter months will encourage them to drink even more-which is exactly what you want."
Please take a few minutes to write a short note to Doug Blonsky, President and CEO. Ask him to make the 5th Avenue trough operable NOW! when the horses need it. You may write to this e-mail address but addressed to Mr. Blonsky press@centralparknyc.org
Or leave a message on line. http://www.centralparknyc.org/contact-us.html
Please be polite but firm. This has to stop. This is their web site, which talks about things like a bench for Bill Bratton -- but nothing about the BELEAGUERED HORSES OF CENTRAL PARK.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/
And please do it now. This is the busiest time of year for the business and the hardest on the horses. Let Mr Blonsky and his colleagues know that the horses have supporters.
Note the inscription to the ASPCA engraved on the trough.
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.
