A city-hired veterinarian recently found concerning conditions at the Central Park stables, where horses are housed, as they returned to work. This was detailed in a report that surfaced on Tuesday.
The shocking findings emerged from an unexpected visit to a Manhattan stable in December. Activists obtained the veterinary report through a Freedom of Information request, revealing troubling conditions.
According to the report, the veterinarian discovered at least 12 horses displaying various “abnormalities or concerns.” Issues included skin lesions and scars attributed to overly tight harnesses, lack of proper dental care, and overcrowded living spaces.
Among the 12 horses examined, nine had visible scars, and seven were noted to have dental issues. Dr. Craig Kulikowski, who inspected the animals, stated, “The overwhelming majority of horses I examined had scars on their backs.” Even though the scars had healed, they indicated prior trauma from improperly fitted harnesses.
“Such findings should not be the accepted norm,” he emphasized.
One horse, named Sophia, was noted for needing a thorough lameness evaluation due to marked pain and swollen tissue. Unfortunately, both the horse’s owner and other animals were uncooperative when it came to standard health checks.
Kulikowski remarked on the owner’s disregard for Sophia’s evident suffering in her hind legs, noting, “[The owner] showed no concern for the fact that Sophia was clearly in pain.”
After this unprecedented inspection, former Mayor Eric Adams issued an executive order aimed at reforming the horse-drawn carriage industry. This included directives for regular veterinary evaluations and testing for drugs and injuries.
However, these measures were quickly overturned by Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who took office on January 1 and rescinded Adams’ order.
Mamdani is now facing political pressure for further regulation of this industry, especially in light of a tragic incident last week where a startled horse-drawn carriage resulted in the death of a teenage tourist.
Following the incident involving 18-year-old Romanshu Mahajan on June 17th, TWU Local 100, the union representing carriage drivers, has paused passenger rides.
Alexander Kemp, executive vice president of the union, mentioned that drivers will meet to reassess safety protocols and ensure they maintain control of the carriages ahead of resuming service on Tuesday.
The union has also voiced its support for increased oversight by the city’s health department, advocating for regular evaluations and enforcement measures.
