It’s time for horse-drawn carriages to be retired
- Staci-lee Sherwood
- Sep 7
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 27
By Staci-lee Sherwood
Once an icon of New York and former days it’s time for what we know to be an abusive industry to be retired as many traditions have been once the cruelty as comes to light. As a lifelong New Yorker I did ride the carriages way back when I was a child and even then knew it was cruel. During a ride anyone could see the horrors for the horses if you looked closely. I grew up riding and training horses and have a lifelong love and understanding of them. In the 1960s and 70s traffic, noise and tourism was half what it is now and it was unbearable then.
While it’s true the carriages are part of a tradition, that lacks credibility in continuing what is obvious abuse. The use of horses, or camels or donkeys, stems from a lack of modern transportation. Cruelty can no longer be ignored nor should it be allowed to be considered part of any legitimate job or industry. It’s 2025 for god sake enough already.
A history of horses as transportation
Tradition is a funny thing. It's a word thrown around to excuse away antiquated methods or cruelty (to children, women, animals etc) that some people or industries want to keep going. Just because we used to do something doesn't mean we should still be doing it. We used to have slavery, refused women the right to vote and allowed young children to work in factories. Those were all long held traditions we got rid of. For other non human species we lag behind even when we know deep down it's time to stop perpetuating suffering.
Horses have been used in fields, war and as transportation for centuries. That's not their choice but ours. Without other forms of transportation like cars, planes and boats it was the horse or donkey or nothing. Today we no longer need to be reliant on horses so the excuse of tradition holds no legitimate argument.
This was in the 1800s & 1900s when only horses (or donkeys and burros) were used as transportation. In 2025 there is no need for this. Photo credit Heritage-Images
Exploitation vs. Slavery
This comparison started to take hold a few years ago and when you stop and think about it what is the real difference? We humans attribute slavery to only our own species but the 13th amendment, written nearly two centuries ago, did not specify what species was considered a slave. In 2025 it's time to revisit our relationship and views of all non humans.
The definition of slavery is the practice of forced labor and restricted liberty which clearly is defined by animals in research labs, circuses, and carriage horses. Since the 1900s we as a civilized society, have seen the errors of old traditions that held down people based on gender, race and age. Isn't it time we extended that to all living beings? In 2011 PETA filed a lawsuit on behalf of captive whales and dolphin. Psychology Today magazine published an article pondering the legal question of animal slavery. Laurence tribe, a Harvard law professor who proposed extending legal standing to chimpanzees, said he thought it doubtful that courts are ready to apply the 13th Amendment to animals but supported the PETA lawsuit "as a potentially valuable catalyst for 'national reflection and deliberation' about humans' treatment of animals." Cruelty can't stand the spotlight.
In 2022 a horse collapsed on the street, his name was RYDER. His owner Ian McKeever lied to police about the horse's age claiming he was in his teens when he was 26. He had been forced to work in 84 degree heat during a week long heat wave when he collapsed. Ryder was swiftly removed from public view and only after public outcry did the union for horse carriage workers give a vague statement claiming Ryder was upstate being treated.
Concerns arose immediately s details were shrouded in secrecy and because Dr Camilo Sierra was the veterinarian who responded to the emergency call. In 2018 Sierra was suspended from veterinary practice for three weeks and fined $4500.00 by New York State Gaming Commission for improperly administering bronchodilator drug Albuterol (now banned) to a horse at Aqueduct Racetrack. He failed to do an exam first then used a fake name when reporting the incident. Sierra has several other violations going back years. Unfortunately for working horses this negligent vet is still practicing and getting $750,000 to treat NYPD horses. Sounds like a sweetheart deal for the doc and a nightmare for his equine patients. Carriage horse are at the mercy of their owners and the vets they employ. Click here to read more
McKeever made claims he cared for the horse but really just promoted himself as a businessman while trying to play on people’s sympathy and guilt. He was acquitted at trail of animal abuse, due to union pressure. Click here to read about the negligent vet https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-carriage-horse-ryder-veterinary-care-abuse/
Ryder collapsed on the street, whisked away in secret and then died. No one will ever know what really happened other than his life should never have been about serving humans.
Photo from NBC New York
In august 2025 Lady died on the street in extreme heat never knowing love or freedom. Her life was servitude for Transport Workers Union Local 100 who’s tactic include lies and manipulating guilt from people about the poor blue collar workers when the truth is they get paid to abuse animals.
Photo credit NY Post
This is the lie people want to believe and celebrities like Liam Neeson tell you, that it’s all a fairy tale and humane when it’s the opposite. If you want a fairy tale read one don’t abuse animals trying to live one.
Between 1983 -2013 there have been over 66 documented cases of injured and killed horses and these are the ones reported. Click here to read
Click here to learn about the cruelty involved
Coalition to ban horse-drawn carriages shows the truth
Where do retired carriage horses go….well who knows. Some do get adopted or go to sanctuaries but not all. We know many winning racehorses and most of our rounded up wild horses end up killed in slaughterhouses for overseas menus so can we expect any different for carriage horses?
Let’s not forget about the fires which can and do happen. In 1968 54 horses died another 50 ran off so this is not a new issue but a long term system problem. https://www.nytimes.com/1968/10/07/archives/50-horses-run-free-in-brooklyn-streets-after-fire-kills-54-50.html
The Central Park Conservancy has publicly come out requesting an end to this icon of cruelty. Since Ryder’s death in 2022 there is mounting public pressure to finally rid the city of these carriages, Ryder was just one of countless horses who died this way over the decades. Horses face extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, honking horns, people, air pollution, vehicle traffic, speeding bike messengers etc. on a daily basis. It’s only a wonder we don’t see horses dying every day.
More than 70% of New Yorkers support a ban because they know it’s long overdue. Other cities have stepped up to ban this cruel industry from Chicago, San Antonio, Biloxi and Salt Lake City to Key West and Camden including cities in other countries like Belgium, Spain and Puerto Rico, so it’s time New York City did the same. The New York City Council must bring to a vote and pass Ryder’s Law (Intro. No. 967) which would stop new licenses and wind down the industry starting in 2026. Click here to read about the law and how to help
Celebrities who pushed to keep cruelty going
In 2014 actor Liam Neeson chimed in with his support for animal abuse. Neeson wrote an Op-Ed in The New York Times claiming the carriages belonged in Central Park. Neeson is NOT a native New Yorker nor American he’s from Northern Ireland his opinion means nothing. His loud voice got attention so the cruelty remains today. Among his absurd claim he says in the BBC piece ‘"An entire way of life and a historic industry are under threat," he writes. "It has been my experience, always, that horses, much like humans, are at their happiest and healthiest when working," he writes. "Horses have been pulling from the beginning of time. It is what they have been bred to do." Horses existed long before humans they are not here to serve, contrary to what some people think. If Neeson is so concerned with the plight of working class people he should go back to his Northern Ireland, I hear they have some problems. His Op-Ed was admired by a fox hunting site.
He continued with false claims that opponents were well funded, a cheap tactic used to deflect from the real issue when you know you’re on the losing side. People latched on to his claims thinking they were true because celebrities have been elevated to a higher platform of credibility even when proven they know nothing or are lying. Equines are among the most abused of any species just read this to see how true that is. https://www.realitycheckswithstacilee.com/post/industries-of-equine-abuse
New York City must have leaders who don’t support cruelty
In 2014 Bill De Blasio ran for Mayor of New York City and won. Part of his campaign promise was to end the horse abuse. As Mayor he came up with alternative plans but all were shot down under the ruse of protecting jobs (always used for a guilt trip), false claims about tourism despite the fact no one travels all the way to NYC just to ride in a carriage. The compromises started with just moving the stables but eventually bending to pressure the ban failed thanks to celebrities, unions and people making money abusing animals.
After Di Blasio there was Eric Adams as Mayor. His administration is rife with corruption so any issue not directly helping him stay in office goes unnoticed. I reached out to NYC Speaker Adrienne Adams but never got a response back as to why she can’t or won’t bring the bill to a vote. I also reached out to NYC Council member Lynn Schulman asking why she too won’t support the bill but never heard back. If you know human nature you know that a non response usually hides the fear politicians have exposing either their corruption, payoffs or true ugly nature…what else could it be? Honest politicians love to explain their votes and positions.
GREAT Alternative
The Ecarriage or horseless carriage is a fun option driven by a human. Many cities have chosen to go the cruelty free way while still maintaining the sense of olde time elegance and romance with carriages one might have ridden in a century ago. The only difference is no horse, no whips, no suffering. There’s no safety concern of accidents with cars, bikes or pedestrians which do happen when horses get spooked. There’s no smell because animals do go to the bathroom while pulling a carriage and sweat on hot days.
I ventured up to Mt Dora, a charming town that’s home to the first horseless carriages. Old Mount Dora Carriage Company is owned by Brian Stilke and Brittany Poe. In 2021 they had a creative business idea for tourism. I spoke with Colleen who’s a driver for the carriages about how and why they chose this venture. She said Brian and Brittany “didn’t want to do horses because you can’t run them in the heat, you have to have watering stations every so often and you’ve got the expense of boarding and vet bills, food, and they really wanted to do something more economical and better for the environment.” After looking into Ecarriages they did a presentation for the Mayor of Mt Dora who loved the idea. The city council approved it and they were on their way. “Our City Council was thrilled to approve the Ordinance allowing the Olde Mount Dora Carriage Company to operate electric carriages in Historic Mount Dora,” says Mount Dora mayor, Crissy Stile. “Our city thrives on welcoming new business, and we never hesitated to welcome [co-owners] Brian and Brittany, making Mount Dora the first US City to allow electric carriage tours.” Colleen said that none of their customers had ever been on an electric carriage but “they all loved it.” I did too it was a wonderful ride in a beautiful carriage.
This is one of their beautiful elegant carriages reminiscent of by gone days
Every year their carriages are examined by a mechanic to ensure they are safe to use. On a horseless carriage the ideas are only limited by one’s imagination. Olde Mount Carriage Company offer a variety of fun and romantic ways to enjoy the ride. During the holidays they have a Christmas light ride, a spooky haunted Halloween ride, and several ride & dine rides where you can eat and drink while on the ride. For those missing the sound of horses trotting on the road they also have a soundtrack they can play along with a variety of music.
Another advantage to these carriages is weather, with the exception of bad weather you can still take a peaceful romantic ride in the rain since you’re covered and again there’s no horse to worry about getting spooked by the rain, fog or thunder. It’s time for New York City to follow the lead of Mt Dora and a growing number of other cities around the world and switch to Ecarriages. They’re gorgeous, fun and cruelty free and make a unique business for any city large or small. If interested in exploring this while visiting Florida click here https://mountdoracarriageco.com/
How you can help
Call NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams at (212) 482-6731 and politely urge her to pass Intro 967, also known as Ryder’s Law.
Contact Health Committee Chair, Lynn Schulman, at (718) 544-8800. Press 0 to leave her a message asking her to co-sponsor and fast-track this lifesaving bill.
Call New York City Mayor Eric Adams at 311 or, if you are outside the five boroughs, at (212) 639-9675. Leave him a message urging him to support and sign Ryder’s Law.
Sign NYC residents
Sign if NON NYC resident
Click here for truth about this industry
Support groups fighting to help the horses
Support Ecarriages by bringing them to your town or city
This is how horses should be living - free. They can't speak for themselves they need YOU to help save them
Also published on The Good Men Project on October 13, 2025
Interesting perspective. Change is always necessary as times evolve, just like how businesses must adapt to the digital era. Partnering with a trusted Digital Marketing Agency Dublin helps brands modernize their approach and connect with audiences in more meaningful ways.
Hi Staci-lee,
I appreciate you posting this.
Years ago I supported the woman who advocated for horse drawn carriages in NY be stopped. It was a money and NY fame losing battle that NY was and I see still is entrenched in because people are steeped in greed and ego. Eventually I tired of the absurd failing of NY to show care and compassion for the horses, so I stopped getting the emails.
I am a horse person living in Los Angeles. I am older and see how human beings are quite awful in lots of ways, yet wonderful in many. I suggest a woman I just learned about from an interview with Andrew Huberman, a neurobiologist and animal lover,…