Our campaign is dedicated to banning the inhumane, unsafe, anachronistic and hack line
horse-drawn carriage trade in NYC and elsewhere.
We need a total ban, not a "compromise" that will doom the horses to a life of misery.
Please donate to our campaign.
We do not need much money since we do this proudly for free - it is a labor of love and compassion - but we could use help with flyers, posters, this newsletter and our website. We also donate to equine rescues and to groups in other cities that want to make a difference. We strongly feel that we are all in this together. You will always get the truth here because we have no conflicts of interest and do not have to genuflect to anyone - either because of business or political dealings. With our years of experience with this issue going back to the 1990s, we are not hesitant to speak out. Thanks to all of you who have donated. It is very much appreciated.TRUTH not POLITICS!
"On the streets of Atlanta, a distressed carriage horse tried to bolt several times so the driver tied him to a lamp post with a short rope. Once loaded up with passengers his fear becomes even more apparent and the horse comes close to rearing up. Passengers are trusting their safety and the safety of their children with drivers who obviously know very little about horses. Perhaps they assume if Atlanta permits horse-drawn carriages, it must be safe. This frightened horse should not be carrying passengers in downtown Atlanta. THE HORSES NEED YOUR HELP! If you don’t think horses should be forced to pull carriages in downtown Atlanta.
Please contact Atlanta city council members and Mayor Bottoms at kbottoms@atlantaga.gov and let them know. Telephone calls work best.
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CUT OFF POINTS TO SUSPEND HORSE-CARRIAGES IN HOT WEATHER - SHOWN IN FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE:
ATLANTA 96
CHARLESTON 95 or the heat index reaches 110 degrees F
SAVANNAH 96 or the heat index reaches 110 degrees F
PHILADELPHIA 92
NEW YORK 90
CHICAGO 90
The southern cities have more extreme temperature cutoffs for carriage horses in the summer than cities in the north. The heat index is not a consideration in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York or Chicago. But a heat index of 110 is very hot.
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BAN OR MORE REGULATIONS
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages supports a ban on horse-drawn carriages in NYC. We do not support more regulations. Our long experience with the carriage industry and politicians is that regulations do not work. It is always hard if not impossible to get them passed because most will affect the driver's income - such as fewer hours to work; temperature changes; moving the hack line inside the park so it is not so visible on the street. Besides, we know that the current regulations do not get enforced - this would not be any different.
Any activist who does not understand this simply does not understand the issue or the industry. It would be like accepting the abolition of slavery just in the Northern cities; or giving the right to vote only to white married women. Yes, of course it is difficult. But giving up is wrong and with the resources some of these groups have, they could easily be put into a ban campaign. The following is a short eloquent piece written by Linda Brink, activist, and horse person.
WHY PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR MORE REGULATIONS IS WRONG
by Linda Brink - Sunnyskies Bird & Animal Sanctuary
Asking for more regulation is simply a capitulation to the powerful forces who are keeping horses on the street, despite compiled evidence documenting the danger, cruelty, inappropriateness; documenting the suffering.
More regulations will not help even one horse, they will simply give the impression of helping. The pretense of caring.
In NYC, the carriage trade is not a right or wrong issue, and never has been. If it were, the horses would not be on the streets, as is the case in the growing number of cities motivated by compassion and reason, rather than politics and stubborn denial. In NYC, the carriage trade is a political corruption issue. And so the horses toil on, in rain, snow, killer heat, killer cold, exhaust in their lungs, dirt in their eyes and nostrils, aching legs, aching feet, each day a misery. No green grass. No place to stretch their muscles. No comfortable stalls at day's end in which to rest. No socialization. Not one thing important to horse happiness is allowed.
In NYC, the carriage trade is most definitely a political corruption issue, anchored by greed and the desire to protect entrenched political boundaries at all costs. And any New Yorkers not standing tall against this very rightable wrong are, by continued tolerance, standing for it. To which I say, for the horses: shame on you. Shame on you.
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NIAGARA ON THE LAKE - Ontario, Canada -- please sign this petition: PLEDGE NOT TO VISIT NIAGARA ON THE LAKE UNTIL HORSE CARRIAGES ARE BANNED.
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IDEA FOR A VERY SIMPLE CAMPAIGN:
This was suggested by MG:
"When I walk by the carriages, I give them a very evident ‘thumbs down’ which seems to get them very upset!
Maybe that could be an interesting ad campaign...if hundreds of people give a thumbs down when they see them, could send a strong message"
We think this is a great idea. SIMPLE! All you have to do when you pass by a horse-drawn carriage is to give them (the driver and passengers) a THUMBS DOWN. No words need be spoken.
