Another horse pulling a carriage has collapsed in Manhattan, New York, giving groups who oppose carriage rides more reasons to advocate against the practice. Holiday shoppers and tourists watched as the horse crashed to the pavement on a major street corner.
Many are calling for an end to hansom cab rides following several recent incidents including the death of a 15-year-old draft horse on a midtown street in October. The ASPCA found the horse had a stomach ulcer and a fractured tooth.
Others feel that the horses are often maltreated by their owners and drivers, left to stand in place for long hours waiting for tourists to hire the carriage, often with little attention to their physical needs and well-being
Advocates for banning the carriages also bring attention to injuries to tourists and horses over the past few years as a result of unsafe practices on busy streets including the death of a five-year-old girl who fell from a horse in a parade and was trampled and killed by spooked carriage horses.
One of the main points these groups make is the fact that by nature, horses are prey animals and will spook at the slightest provocation. At upwards of 2,000 pounds, they become unwitting weapons and can kill themselves or anyone who is in the way.
Within Central Park, carriages must share the roads with bikers, roller bladers, joggers and pedestrians and on busy days the potential for collisons or spooking the horses is always present.
New York State Senator Tony Avella who represents District 11, recently sponsored legislation to ban the buggy rides, pointing out the dangers to passengers, pedestrians, motorists and the horses.
Others have pointed out that for years, the City of New York has catered to this very small industry giving subsidies for stable rent and other expenses that could be going toward education, senior centers or keeping the hospitals open.
Proponents for the carriage trade point out that the carriages are part of an historical tradition that creates an ambience of slower times when people savored the seasons, the picturesque scenery and romantic feeling that the carriage rides make possible.