Mayor Adams Wednesday referred to as on the Metropolis Council to cross laws that may wind down the carriage horse trade in New York, whereas instructing metropolis businesses to arrange for a ban of the long-lasting symbols of Central Park.
“I’m calling on the City Council to do what they should have done long ago: end the horse carriage industry in New York City and help keep all New Yorkers — including our animals — safe,” Adams stated in an announcement.
Horses are hitched and readied for a day’s work in Central Park at Chateau Stables.
“ This is not about eliminating this tradition — it’s about honoring our traditions in a way that aligns with who we are today,” he stated. “New Yorkers care deeply about animals, about fairness, and about doing what’s right.”
Particularly, Adams referred to as on the Council to enact “Ryder’s Law,” named after a horse that collapsed on a Midtown avenue in 2022. Ryder’s Regulation would ban the issuance of further carriage horse licenses and improve regulation of current carriage horses in an effort to sundown the trade.
Mayor Eric Adams speaks throughout a press convention at metropolis corridor Tuesday, Could 27, 2025 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
The invoice has been earlier than the council since 2022 however has but to obtain a vote.
Carriage driver Ian McKeever was acquitted in July of fees he overworked and tortured Ryder within the months main as much as the equine’s demise. However the controversy arose anew final month, when Woman, a 15-year-old carriage horse, died on the road on Aug. 5.
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A girl who witnessed Ryder, the horse that collapsed in Hell’s Kitchen, stated its driver was cursing the horse out simply hours earlier than its collapse. (Courtesy Caroline Smidt)
Every week later, the Central Park Conservancy got here out in favor of passing Ryder’s Regulation, arguing banning the horses was ” a matter of public well being and security for park guests.”
There are 68 carriages at present licensed by the town, and roughly 200 licensed horses, based on the Transport Staff Union’s Native 100, which represents roughly 200 horse drivers and stable-hands.
TWU’s worldwide president, John Samuelsen, blasted Adams’ announcement Wednesday, and stated he doubted the Metropolis Council would vote to ban the horses.
“Eric Adams is a liar — he knows the horses are not mistreated,” Samuelsen stated. “Independent experts and veterinarians have attested to this fact repeatedly.”
“This thing is replete with all kinds of conflicts,” he stated.
In 2018, whereas working as an lawyer in personal observe, Mastro represented New Yorkers for Clear, Livable and Protected Streets — the first group pushing for Ryder’s Regulation — in a swimsuit introduced by a carriage horse proprietor.
Samuelsen additional alleged that the trouble to ban carriage horses was a part of a plan to develop housing on the location of the carriage horses’ midtown stables — a rumor circulating for the reason that DeBlasio administration.
“Its all about development of the Westside stables,” Samuelsen stated.
Initially Printed: September 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM EDT
