those with no voices or choices

I have been doing some research on the living conditions of the carriage horses of NYC.
I don't want to persecute anyone who is a fan
Or into that business.
There is nothing wrong with a 9 hr. Work day, horses are meant to be used that is their purpose.
It seems that the living conditions of these beautiful animals is less then good.
They have no running water or ventilation in the stables. Their stalls are60sq ft. In diameter. It looks like the life span goes.to 15 yrs. At best
There should besome water source for them when they are out working.
If so much money can go into lobbyists and lawyers, what has gone to improve this gentle giants living conditions.
I would love to be proved wrong.
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I agree with you whole heartedly.
The horses here in Atlanta, do at least have a small paddock to roam around in when not working, but it still isnt adequate in my opinion.
I always put myself in the horses position..if I where a carriage horse, and was either pulling a wagon on hard streets and doing my 9 hour day. The first thing I wouldnt want was to be placed into a small stall and not able to stretch my legs and back.

I think that is like taking you or I and working all day and then driving home. Never to sit down and stretch out or go for a nice quiet walk after work to releive some stress. It would be like going straight from the car, and then in the bed and the lights off with no relaxation in between.

There was another thread very recently on this, wasnt' there??

I was watching Animal Cops once, It was in NY, the officers (said) they made frequent trips to check on the horses, if it is past a certain degree (temp) outside, the rides are canceled and the horses have to be put up. They make sure there is water at the area where the horses are kept inbetween rides. But, I know they can't be there 24/7/365, it's hard work for the horses if not taken care of!

Do you have a link or a photo of their living conditions? I only ask because I was in NY on vacation (I did not take a carriage ride) but I did look at the carriage horses because we went into Central park daily. I stopped and checked them out daily. They all had healthy hooves and looked well kept. None were thin and all seemed healthy with shiny coats. They had blankets on when they were waiting for their next customers, had water available right there and everyday (we were there for about 5 days) they had a full bag of carrots in their carriage.

I'm not saying they don't work hard and I'm not saying they may be mistreated because you don't know what go's on behind closed doors but I am asking how you know where they live and what their stables looks like.

Farmpony - this has some photos of the stables, stalls, etc Carriage Horse Vet Resigns From ASPCA - DNAinfo.com -- personally, I think it looks like a rather nice stable *shrugs*

Do some actual, independent research that isn't presented by the AR groups, and I think you'll find that your uninformed opinions will be more than proved wrong.

We've already had this discussion. Unless you have eye-witness PROOF, you're just going off what you've gleaned off the internet and from airhead celebrities parroting the AR party line.

The horses look happy and healthy to me. Plenty of bedding, water and hay. Up to date on vet work and feet.

I found one online. They do have fans and they appear to have nice stalls but I geuss they can't possible have turn out and that is kind of sad...

The Stables Where Central Park Carriage Horses Live - Business Insider

This thread might as well be titled,
"are tom thumb bits cruel?" and "is my horse pregnant?" or "this is my stud, I'm going to breed him!"

How about a topic that hasn't already been beaten senseless.

Edit: not trying to be mean. I reread that and realized it sounded harsh. I just get upset when folks jump on soapbox for animals who are well taken care of, when there are SO MANY who at this very moment are starving and wallowing in their own filth. Let's champion a real cause, shall we? The carriage horses are fine.