rb_travelerxATyahoo

I would walk ... can be more romantic with ability to easily alter the route, and see if I can find a restaurant that serves Equine Steaks.

How do you prepare yours?

FainaAgain

I haven't taken a carriage ride in NYC, but I have in other places, and loved it.

Yes, it is romantic, especially if you can see the stars somewhere in a countryside. I'd rather go through a park then city streets with traffic and noise.

Feel sorry for the horse? Well, now you got me thinking... not more then for wild animals confined to the zoo cages.

Clousie

Anonymous: "the carriage driver is seriously hurt, though nobody one else is."

Unfortunately, the horse was and had to be put down.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the filthy, well-used blankets. I could never get under one of those, much less, feel romantic about it.

lynnejoel1015

I feel awfully sorry for the horses. It's a lot of weight on their backs and legs, a lot of strain. And they work long hours.

When I think about it, I can't even stand on my own feet shopping or waiting in line or what have you for hours on end, much less carry a burden of a ton on my back in busy, noisy, dangerous streets.

Just my honest feelings.

monamonie

I live near the carriage horses' standing place at the south end of Central Park. I passed them only yesterday and could hardly bear to look at them. The reason is that, while I had not even considered the condition in which they live their lives before reading an article on the subject, I have recently read that they never get to see grass, or to lie down in a pasture...Rather, they spend their days standing or trotting on city pavement, and after a long day are trotted a couple or three miles away to an antiquated barn for the night, a barn with wooden floors dating from around 1900...still no green pastures nor the ability to lie down to rest their legs. They work all day in the dense traffic (car and taxi horns constantly blasting on the street on which they stand on Central Park South). And along with the loud noises from the traffic, they must breathe exhaust fumes for about 10 hours a day. What kind of life is this? They have absolutely no say-so in how their lives are lived, and I have been told that they are sold to glue-factories at an early age, after they show signs of not being able to withstand the long days at work any longer. This is totally inhumane, and is done solely for the tourists' pleasure. In the tourists' defense, I don't think they really have thought much about the sad lives these animals live--I know I didn't until I read the article on their treatment. This was so sadly brought to my attention again when just recently (early January, 2006), one of the horses was spooked while being driven in heavy traffic. It ran out of control for many blocks until it finally hit a taxi, injuring the driver critically, and breaking its own leg--the poor, dear horse had to be shot on the spot to put it out of its misery. Perhaps it is now in a better place.

emd

I just have never had any interest whatsoever in it. Too many other appealing things to do in NYC w/my time and money. And it holds no romance for me.

pollyingrid

I have never taken a horse drawn carriage ride myself, but, as an NYC resident, I pass these beautiful and gentle creatures on a regular basis, and for all the reasons that everyone else has mentioned, am strongly opposed to the practice. I would like to invite anyone who feels as I do, and who lives in the New York metro area, to please attend an upcoming town hall meeting on the subject and make your voice heard. Here is information on the event:
"It's time to RETIRE THE CARRIAGE HORSES FROM THE STREETS. PLEASE COME to an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MEETING. Community Board 4 Transportation Planning Committee, Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 6:15 PM, 330 W. 42nd St. 26th floor (between 8th and 9th Ave.)"
I urge anyone who is concerned about the well-being of the horses to attend, as it's open to the public.

samschack

My wife and I will be staying in NYC near near the Park in March for our wedding anniversary and I had thoughts about having a carriage ride after our anniversary dinner but after reading these posts I think perhaps we will have a lovely dinner and take a leisurely walk in the park afterwards.

michelleNYC

TTT for this VERY important issue.

lynnejoel1015

TTT, agreed, and let's hope people in NYC show up for that council meeting.

though it's scary to think what will become of the horses if the city bans or severely restricts carriage rides....

AuntAnnie

Our local paper said that Martha Stewart's daughter Alexis is lobbying to have the horse carriages removed from NYC.
I rode a mule carriage in Charleston and was told it was easier for mules to take the heat...but now I wonder if that was bad as well.

Scarlett

Hi!
I thought this dropped from sight out of disinterest..I am happy to see that someone else feels the way I do.I was there when the horse died in the street from heat, one summer a long time ago. I have watched those poor horses over the years and they never seem to be in much better condition than they were, years ago.
The best and maybe ONLY way to Stop or End the Carriage rides in the City Streets is to show up at those meetings in NYC, to NOT take a carriage.
Yes ,dear Medea, bless your bleeding heart
Bless all of our Bleeding hearts