New York Carriages

I read in the news this week that, starting June next year, carriage horses will no longer be allowed to offer rides in New York City. No new licenses are being granted either. I think this is a positive step forward, especially considering that our right to work with horses, our social license, relies heavily on public perception and responsible treatment. Sadly, it’s clear that some individuals within the NYC carriage scene have been abusing that privilege.

It’s crucial to remember that our social license can be lost if we don’t uphold high standards of welfare. Encouragingly, part of this new regulation requires that the horses currently working be properly retired, not destroyed, when the ban takes effect next June. That’s a really important and humane aspect of the policy.

This news actually reminded me of a trip I took to Prague around this time last year. I noticed quite a few carriage horses there, and I was genuinely impressed, they all looked to be in excellent condition. Well cared for, well shod and healthy. In contrast, I’ve seen carriage horses in cities like Rome and Vienna that looked much more worn down, scrawny, tired and neglected.

In places like Prague, where the horses are clearly being well looked after, I think the tradition of carriage rides can still be quite beautiful. If that standard of care continues, hopefully they’ll avoid the kind of regulation we’re now seeing in New York.