From a pure animal rights standpoint, horses should not pull carts or carriages because forcing them to do so violates their right to be free. However, concerns about working conditions and threats to the health and safety of both people and horses are additional arguments against horse carts and carriages. Although urban centers throughout the United States feature horse carriages for tourists, most of the controversy has centered around New York City, which has the highest carriage horse accident rate in the country.
While some argue for a ban on carriage horses and others believe there is nothing wrong with the industry, still others believe the industry can be humane only under certain conditions.
Working Conditions
According to the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, carriage horses in New York City work 9 hours a day, 7 days a week, sometimes in bitter cold and oppressive heat. Around the country, horses pull carriages through traffic on pavement and sometimes cobblestone, which is hard on their joints. The horses also constantly breathe in car exhaust which leads to respiratory problems. Collisions between horses and vehicles are a threat to both people and horses.
Although there are laws to protect the horses, enforcement is not perfect. In December of 2008, activists recorded video of horses being forced to work through a snowstorm in New York City, despite a law that prohibits working the horses during “adverse weather conditions.” The law required the horses to be recalled if the weather turned bad, but it took nearly two hours to recall the horses after the snowstorm started and authorities did not have the power to recall the horses any earlier.
When not working, the horses are confined in tiny stalls in indoor stables with substandard conditions, such as a lack of water, bedding, air conditioning and fire sprinklers. Some horses are tethered, and are unable to turn around in their stalls, which frustrates their nature as highly social herd animals.
ASPCA Statements
The official position of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is charged with enforcing the laws that protect carriages horses in New York City, is that it “is not opposed to the use of horses and other equines in pulling carts and carriages for hire.” However, ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres stated in November, 2009:We have said time and time again that neither the New York City environment nor current law provides carriage horses with the fundamental necessities to ensure their safety and well being . . . The use of carriage horses in New York City is not only a safety hazard to city residents, tourists, pedestrians, motorists and the horses themselves, but horses must often work seven days a week in heavily congested traffic and extreme temperatures.Arguments for Horse-Drawn Carriages
Carriage operators argue that the horses are their livelihood, that they love their horses, and that they have every incentive to treat the horses well. Some argue that horse-drawn carriages are an important tradition that deserves to live on, and improved conditions and regulations can address health and safety concerns.
Ban on Horse-Drawn Carriages
Various cities in the United States and around the world have already banned the use of carriage horses. Over the years, New York City has considered several bills banning the use of horse-drawn carriages, but none have become law. Some argue that the horses will be sent to slaughter if the ban becomes reality, but at least one version of the bill has required the humane disposition of the horses. Also, spent horses are already sent to auction and uncertain fates. Several former carriage horses have been rescued from auctions and/or slaughter, despite the industry’s claims that retired horses go to private farms and sanctuaries. The ASPCA believes that the phase-out of carriage horses in NYC is "much-needed and past-due."
2010-10-01
Horse Carts – Why Horses Shouldn’t Pull Carts and Carriages
