I had an appointment today at the lower east corner of Central Park today. It was just what I needed to help get me through the rest of the work day, but it made me a little sad, too.
I’ll spare you the details of my appointment, but let’s just say that it was medical and something I will probably be revisiting soon enough in a much more serious way.
Most of the time, getting on the subway is a major pain, especially to and from work, but when it’s the middle of the day, the trains are empty and it’s almost relaxing. It feels a little like the sensation of getting on a school bus for a field trip in school. Another other time it would be boring or wouldn’t matter, but you’re so excited to meet the destination that the bus becomes something more magical than ordinary.
I only traveled one stop but it was enough to get my blood moving and pick up my spirits. The best part was emerging from the underground to be greeted by that sweet smell of spring air mingled with the signature scent of the park carriage horses. Opinions may differ from person to person on how to classify that horse smell, but what some may find as an offensive odor, I define as a pleasant aroma! :)
I didn’t have a moment to spend time with any of the idle horses as I was already late for my appointment, but I always take a second to look at their overall physical appearance before passing by. As always, I was disappointed in the size of the horses against the size of the carriages. Some of the smaller horses seem so pitiful next to those ridiculous carts. I often call out to a driver pushing their horse too fast through yellow lights in traffic, because the smaller guys really struggle to slow down the weight behind them. I could go into the physical effects caused by such negligence but we’d be here forever. It shows though, that the drivers just don't care. (I am not defining carriage drivers as horribly negligent people with no regard for the horses in their care, I'm just saying that many of the carriage horses working in NYC are not cared for by standards I deem proper...This doesn't go for them all, obviously.)
Of course their feet always bother me. Iron on concrete for 9-10 hours a day should be a crime. And what do they go home to? A straight stall. I could go on for hours, but what REALLY gets me angry is how reckless the drivers are with the horses’ lives. I watched one carriage driver urge his horse into on-coming traffic to cut off other drivers to get a group as I was crossing the street. That poor horse is probably so emotionally numb at this point that he doesn’t care, and he made no reaction against the driver. He probably does that two or three times everyday and is too used to it to care anymore, but what do I know? Maybe he genuinely loves his work and is just fine with the traffic and the cars. I digress...
The sight and smell of the horses in Central Park really completes the aesthetic of Manhattan and I think it’s for that reason that they are still allowed to offer rides, but it comes at such a heavy price. What are your thoughts on the NYC carriage horse issue? Equine Progressive wrote this article about what’s going on and I have to say I agree on all points. It’s NOT fair how hard those poor horses work. Please see the links in the article for more information on what some of the local movements are doing to get more rights for those over-worked equines.
On the other side of the spectrum, those beautiful drafts (and other breeds) really saved my heart from total destruction in that first hard year without Iron Man. When I felt most alone or sad or simply felt home sick, I would walk to Central Park and walk down the block rubbing my hands and face all over those beautiful animals. Some of them just stood there, but sometimes one or two would really show an interest and seemed genuinely happy to give back a little comfort. I wonder sometimes what it would have been like without them. I wouldn’t have been able to walk away with that glorious smell on my hands for the rest of the day, inspiring memories of my past and dreams of the future.
Whatever the result may have been, I deeply believe their purpose in my life was good and their presence was/is positive, even if my one little life against all the pain they suffer is sorely unbalanced, I am nevertheless so very grateful for them. Don’t get me wrong. I am not supporting the actions, or lack thereof, of their owners/drivers. I want them out of harm’s way and working humane hours. Hopefully that will fuel my own action to their cause soon enough. Until then, I have to say, I’m thankful for those horses in my city. The least we can show is our gratitude. It’s our love and respect that will be the first actions to further stand up for their rights and treatment--but we can't just stop at that.
Horse for Lease or Sale
12 years ago
I've never been to NYC.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I spent 3 years as a carriage driver in downtown Indianapolis.
I loved the job, and the horses with the company I worked for did too. Very well cared for: stalls picked 4 times/day, meticulous diet and hoof care, tack cleaned after each use.
The carriages, while they do look big and heavy, are VERY EASY to pull - at the end of the night after you unhitch the horse you have to park the carriage, and that's done by hand - it's really not hard to move them at all.
I feel like horses are an animal that appreciates having a job to do, much like a border collie will find something to herd if you don't give it a job, it will find self-employment doing something!
We never went above a walk, and it always surprised me how careful the vehicle traffic really was around the horses. The horses were carefully selected for their temperament and then very gradually introduced to the idea of traffic, sirens, etc - it was truly amazing to me how those horses quietly handled the city atmosphere. Many of the horses had been bought at auction and were likely rescued from a sad fate as they were no longer desired as amish plow horses.
And it really shouldn't be surprising that a horse who didn't know you wouldn't necessarily respond to your touch. I had a few horses that while they would appreciate scratches under the mane or behind the ear from their driver, really could care less about a stranger on the street kissing their nose. Imagine if someone you didn't know just walked up to you and gave you a hug! How strange that would be! Maybe it's the same way for some horses.
Our shifts (again, different company, different city so this may not be the same as NYC carriage horses) generally lasted from 5:30pm to anywhere from 12-2am. We'd head out from the barn and arrive downtown around 6pm, and frequently wait anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour and a half for rides. A busy night had 8-10 rides, which were taken at a walk for 25 minutes. The horses were frequently offered water, and there were several evenings where the number of rides was much lower. I feel like the carriage horses at the company I worked with had an easier/better life than most riding horses!
So while I can't truly comment on what life is like for NYC carriage horse, I can wholeheartedly say that the carriage horses I worked with in Indianapolis had the good life: gainful employment, a good diet, good farrier and veterinary care, and caring, attentive drivers.
The horses are beautiful, but that's no excuse to force this pitiful excuse for a life on them.
ReplyDeleteThey live in stables on the West Side, as far away as 11th Ave and 38th Street. Their stalls are tiny and totally inefficient for their size, and are on upper floors. They are led up and down steep ramps to and from the street.
Once on the street level, they are hooked up to the harness of the carriage. They are then walked through congested City traffic, breathing in the fumes from the vehicles, nose to tailpipe, on their way to the Park. Once at the Park, they stand on hard concrete (which gets very hot in the summer), waiting for fares. They then pull the carriages, which are very heavy for the smaller horses, on the routes around the Park. They work for nine hours.
There are aproximately 200+ carriage horses in New York City, with 68 carriages, therefore 68 horses in the Park at a time. The two water troughs are inadequate at best to give all the horses the water that they need (aproximately 20 gallons a day for working horses, that lose a lot of water to sweat while working). The situation is even worse in the cold months, the water to the troughs is turned off. At this time the troughs contain nothing but debris and garbage thrown in by passers-by. Lack of adequate clean drinking water causes serious health problems for the horses.
Intro 35A, recently passed by the City Council, was nothing more than a bill to give the industry a raise in their rates, even though they've been overcharging unsuspecting tourists for years. Official press releases from the City touted the bill as real progress for the humane treatment of the horses. Actually, this is a deliberate attempt to deceive the public. The "improvements" written into the bill do little or nothing to benefit the horses. Five months "vacation" a year means nothing to a horse. What horses, who are social, pack animals need is daily turnout in open pasture, where they could move freely, role around and interact with other horses. It's impossible for them to have this in New York City. The stall size required by the bill is way too small even for a smaller horse. It's even worse for the larger draft horses.
Christine Quinn, after the signing of the bill, announced that never again would horses travel from below 34th Street. The truth, the actual fact is that none of the stables WERE below 34th St, the farthest is at 38th St and 11th Ave.
And, one of the biggest problems which was totally ignored in the bill is the fact that adequate clean drinking water is not available to the horses, especially in winter. The City can't afford to build a thermal trough SYSTEM, which would automatically deliver water to the troughs in winter, and the industry just won't.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for sharing this comment. It sounds like the horses in Indianapolis have an easier time of it than our guys.
Just to set the record straight--I am NOT against horses pulling carriages. I completely agree that horses feel better when they have a job to do and feel purposeful...that's true of all animals. Especially for many drafts that aren't suited for other equestrian sports...driving is an awesome activity!
I just think that if we're going to use them to make a profit (which they ARE in NY, it's NOT about the pleasure of it, or their care would show through more often), we need to keep them safe, happy and sound. I don't think there should be any objection to that. I love seeing horses in Central Park, but there are some things that need to change before that happens.
Just to set the record straight...here are my absolute disagreements with the situation of NYC carriage horses currently:
- I do NO agree with straight stalls. They are not only unhealthy to the horse they are DANGEROUS. A large number of the carriage horses in the city work 9 hours a day and are retired to a straight stall for the night. Some may think this is acceptable, but I simply don't agree.
- They should not be allowed to travel lower than Central Park. Traffic here is murderous, especially for a horse with limited mobility to dodge a fast-moving cab. If this were the kind of city where a cabbie or other driver were considerate to the horses, I would perhaps sympathize better, but it's not going to happen in this city and I wish that wasn't the case.
- They need to SLOW DOWN. I can't tell you how many times I see a carriage horse in an extended trot going down 8th avenue and 50th street...going THROUGH yellow and red traffic lights sometimes. I can understand if you want to keep with the flow of traffic, but don't drive the horse like a car. I shouldn't need to explain how dangerous this is if the horse needs to abruptly halt for any reason...it's just scary. Regardless of the weight of the cart, it's still hard to start and stop at a fast pace like that and especially difficult to turn and avoid something quickly (which is necessary here--believe me). Also, I see many considerate carriage drivers WALKING their horses. THANK YOU!
The council and ASPCA are really trying to regulate better and raise the bar, and I think that's making a difference. It was pretty bad a few years ago, but it's definitely getting better.
And to address the comment about the scratches...believe me, I wasn't disappointed if I received little or no reaction. I was just happy they were there, that's all. It felt good to get a reaction when I did, that's the only reason I mentioned it. Don't worry, I'm not running around spraying them with flowers and rainbows singing the Hills Are Alive or anything lol. that would be funny.
Nicole, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Some (perhaps many) carriage horses are treated superbly and live pampered lives...I just think there are some here who could benefit from stricter policies :)
Now, to any other readers looking to add rude or indecent comments...please refrain.
Tess,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I agree on most of your points, but I think if they were able to establish better stabling OUTSIDE the city and actually regulate and make regulations that fully encompass each horse's needs, they should be allowed to pull carriages. It hard for people outside the city to really comprehend the lifestyle these horses lead, and that's what has ultimately been the largest shock to my system. Straight stalls should be illegal and no horse belongs on these mad city-streets...keep them in the park.
Compared to the working draught horses of Balkan farmers who earned perhaps $500 a month if they are lucky (out of which they have to maintain a family plus two horses) - I am sorry to say that the NYC carriage horses seemed to be poorly shod and hard worked. The regime of these horses appeared incongruous with a supposedly wealthy city where one would expect decent standards to be attained.
ReplyDeleteI shall not forget a visit to a riding stables in NYC where in the morning the proprietor was crushing an industrial quantity of bute to add to the feeds.
Is the problem simply that carriage trips and rising are mere commodities in your city, and the horses a means to an end?
Unfortunately, I think the carriage horses are more of an aesthetic novelty for tourists more than anything else. There are simply too many horses for the demand, though, especially in the coldest and hottest months.
ReplyDeleteI have been inside three of the largest and most respected carriage barns in NYC (3 of 5). EVERY horse in those barns lives in a box stall. Their stalls were spotless, and the horses that were in for the day (whether their day off or waiting for the night shift) all seemed happy and bright, with no stable vices that I saw (compare this to a barn full of show horses that stay in stalls 23 hours a day...).
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the NYC carriage horses are owned by individual drivers, or by drivers who run a small company of a couple of carriages, a handful of drivers and a few horses on rotation. As a result, there is a WIDE variety in terms of practices, such as those who WALK ONLY and those who trot their horses. Would I love to smack those guys who trot their horses all over the place? Sure. But MANY MANY MANY drivers do right by their horses, and put their horses first.
Yes, horses in NYC are a means to an end (making a living and paying rent), but I can assure you that there are FAR easier ways to earn a living. Carriage drivers do their jobs because they love working with horses. On a cold and rainy day when there are no rides, or when you're up in the middle of the night with a sick horse, that's the only thing that makes us do it. Love of the horse. The most ridiculous thing I've seen proposed regarding the Central Park carriages was to replace them with reproduction vintage electric cars, so that the horses could be "rescued" and the drivers would not lose their jobs. I don't know a single self-respecting carriage driver who would go for that. They'd just go do something else (and something that probably paid better).
As far as it being "hard work" for the horses, being a carriage horse is far easier than being a plow horse, and certainly easier than being a "school horse" that gets ridden by several different people for several hours a day giving lessons.
When it comes to traffic, it seems to me that if it is dangerous for the horses, it is dangerous for the pedestrians, bicyclists, dogs, kids, etc., and that the solution is not to ban horses from those streets, but to work more actively to make NYC's streets safer for EVERYONE. Several hundred people a year are killed by cars in Manhattan. The horses breathe the same air that we breathe. If it is unhealthy for them, then it is unhealthy for us, and it is unhealthy for the whole world and all of creation. Do something to change that! Don't just send the horses off someplace else, destroying the soul of the city by increments simply in order to protect people's "right" to drive indiscriminately. Share the road - horses paved the way.
Humans and horses belong together, even (and especially) in the biggest of cities.
P.S. The ASPCA is NOT the one working to better the lives of carriage horses. It was the NYC carriage drivers who introduced a bill into City Council to raise rates (to help pay for the rising cost of hay, feed, and board in the city), mandate vacations for the horses, ban straight stalls, and double the incidence of veterinary exams. The ASPCA's position is that all urban commercial carriage horses *everywhere* should be banned (this is part of a larger radical philosophy about "exploitation" of our animal working partners). And yet they are given guns and badges and allowed to oversee the carriages (no one in the NYC Central Park carriage business has ever been charged with cruelty by the ASPCA in over 100 years). ASPCA agents have harassed carriage drivers for "working a sick horse / denying appropriate veterinary care" because according to an ASPCA officer, the horse had a "cancerous growth" on the inside of his leg. The carriage driver had to explain what a chestnut was and that ALL horses have them! (This was a VERY famous ASPCA agent who has been on Animal Planet - Annemarie Lucas). Not everyone who works for the ASPCA is properly trained in equine husbandry.
I've driven in three cities--Indianapolis, Lake Geneva, and Chicago. It never fails to amaze me how people perceive working horses. We could bring a horse fresh from the farm after the entire winter off, arrive downtown for the start of a shift, and before taking a single ride, passersby would comment how tired she looked. Or how sad they all looked. Just because a horse is wearing harness does not mean they are tired. Or sad.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it. Why do people think they can judge the mental state of my horse when they've never interacted with her, don't see her in the stable, have never met her before? Plus, horse people always feel the need to grab the bridle, put their face in the horse's face, blow in her nostrils, and generally disrespect her right to choose whether she wants to meet them or not. I always asked people to pet her neck or side, but don't bother her face. It's her social space.
I have never worked with a carriage horse I felt was unable to do their job, or overloaded by the weight of the carriage. Think about it: the weight of the driver, carriage, and passengers rest on four large diameter rubber rimmed wheels. The shafts of the carriage are the only weight on the horse's back, and their weight is negligible. In a flat city, the horse's job is just to start and stop the momentum of the carriage. Physics does the rest as a body in motion tends to stay in motion. The horse walks comfortably, and their movement contributes to the steady roll of the carriage. Chicago has a few hills, and the horses are encouraged to trot beforehand to increase momentum, then they pull the carriage to the top, then walk again. I limited all uphill rides to no more than one or two per shift. Slowing the carriage takes some effort, and the horses learn how to go downhill, maximizing their body weight against the load. But the days of Black Beauty laboring under a cracking bullwhip against a horrific load uphill both ways are over folks.
As to the oft quoted "NOSE TO TAILPIPE EXISTENCE", please! People need to let this one go. I never saw a carriage horse with their nose pressed to the tailpipe of a car. The bus exhausts are well over everyone's heads, and carriage drivers do almost everything in their power not to sit in traffic. Unfortunately, air pollution is unavoidably everywhere. Ban the cars, I say!
I appreciate your open mindedness, giving some of us a chance to defend ourselves. But I have several friends who drive in NYC, and the public has been manipulated into reciting the same old tired lines and believing the same old lies about NYC horses. And by who? The same people who say there should be no seeing eye dogs, no police horses, no cancer sniffing dogs, no seizure sensing dogs, or therapy animals. They believe animals shouldn't be used for anything, including making you feel better about your lost Iron Man. In fact, if you listen to them, you shouldn't have had Iron Man in the first place--it makes you an animal abusing slave driver who has no right to own any living spirit! Or something like that. They've called me the same and worse.
As for me, I'll always have pets and I'll own horses again. And I'll make sure I get the whole picture before I believe the tripe that gets passed along as truth by those who wish to manipulate me. No offense intended.