CARRIAGE HORSE STABLES
There are good horse stables and there are bad horse
stables.
Judge for yourself
In NYC, the law allows carriage horse horse stalls to be as small as 60 square
feet – 6’ x 10’ – even though many of the horses are large drafts weighing upwards
of 2,000 pounds. Equine experts
recommend stalls be 144 square feet or 12' x 12' - with even more space
provided to larger horses. There is not enough space in NYC to do this right and the
drivers want to cram in as many money-making machines (horses) as possible. This is,
drivers want to cram in as many money-making machines (horses) as possible. This is,
after all, a business - not a horse-sanctuary. When these horses cannot cut it anymore,
they are gone.
The law does not require turnout to pasture since the land does not exist. The law also
allows the stalls to be on upper
floors – accessible by a steep ramp.
How steep is it you
ask? Imagine a warehouse building with two floors connected by a staircase. Remove
the stair and replace it with a ramp, which
because of the small space, is very steep. This
is how the horses access their stalls. It is uncomfortable for them,
especially the older
ones, to go up and down every day. The ideal is to have the stalls on the first floor.
These are some pictures published by ChelseaNow lauding these stables as old New
York. But they are not historical
landmark material. They are just old,
smelly, decrepit
buildings that warehouse horses like a prison.
These pictures are available for the public via this newspaper. However they are nothing
These pictures are available for the public via this newspaper. However they are nothing
to be proud of.
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| Chateau Stables on 48th St. - This stall is too small for this carriage horse at 60 square feet. The horse still wears a halter. Although permissible, it is obviously done for the convenience of the drivers. But it is uncomfortable for a horse to wear it 24/7. More proof that these horses are just "products" and money making machines. |
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| Carriage Horse stable - Although Liam Neeson might want to live here, it is a disaster for horses. Note that it has one means of egress in the middle. If there were a fire, the horses would panic trying to descend a ramp to get out one exit. This is what the unions and City Council want to preserve? |
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| Carriage Horse stable - Clinton Stables on 52nd St. - It is not OK for a horse to be sharing his oats with pigeons. The pigeons defecate on the oats in the bucket, which is then eaten by the horses. |
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| West Side Livery on 38th St. - small and cramped and dirty. Couldn't they at least have cleaned up for the photographer? I guess they did not care. Again - horses wearing halters. WHAT A STABLE SHOULD BE AND HOW HORSES SHOULD LIVE
NYC should not be supporting this business. It is cruel and inhumane to the horses. No
matter how hard the carriage owners, Liam Neeson, some of the Council members and
others try to make this look romantic and "olde New York." it is inhumane and marks NYC
as one that does not care about animals.
It is also unsafe and dangerous to people whether the horses are housed in Hells Kitchen or Central Park.
Additionally, the 68 medallion owners are the only ones who make out here -- not the
drivers. Do not believe that there are 350 "good union jobs." There are only 120 drivers
who belong to the union and they receive no benefits.
Unions are losing membership all over the country and they need this to show their
strength. But it is based on a lie at the expense of the horses. The Mayor and Council
Members are terrified that the unions will come after them in the next election.
So in the end -- what are they trying to protect? What is really behind all of this nonsense?
Is this the kind of city you want to live in?
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1 comment:
Good post.
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