They look so sad.....poor babies. I signed the petition. 

I signed and sent everything I could! I added a few media e-mail addresses to the list of council members, as well.

As a life-long horse-lover and current carriage driver (just at home with my own horse...not a commercial driver :), I must say that I do think often of the horses who live in big cities working tirelessly for our every whim.  Keeping carriage horses in the housing they are kept in takes a toll on their emotional and mental health as well as their having to deal with the stress of traffic and inconsiderate drivers (in the box seat and behind the wheel).  I hope that one day, they will all have the opportunity to really experience life in a relaxed environment and with someone who loves them everyday.  Horses are beautiful creatures that can teach us a lot about ourselves...what are we learning here? 

Alicia, I'm so glad you have also taken on this issue. I've been living and working as an actress in New York for the last 2 years and just recently I now walk down past the park and 5th avenue on my way to my theatre everyday. It is heartbreaking! I already avoided walking by the park for the very reason that my heart can't bare to watch these poor animals in pain. But now to walk by them and there handlers everyday is almost to much to take. I have already signed several petitions, wrote the mayor and I'm going to see what else I can do to lend my energy to stopping this barbaric and sad tradition in this beautiful city. Thank you again for lending more attention to this growing and ignored problem! ~pheonix

This seems to be a world wide problem.  Enslaving horses or any animal for human use is morally wrong.  We are also working on this campaign in Rome, but with less momentum than in NYC.
 We have a group on FB which has infomation regarding the campaign and a petition online.

I support the work of BHDC!!

Check us out:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=138296674252&ref=ts

or for info, my blog:

http://thecompassionatehedonist1.blogspot.com/2010/04/truth-about-horse-drawn-carriages.html

Dear Alicia:
Please get ahold of Elizabeth Forel at coalition@banhdc.org. It is not looking good for the Shamrock Stable horses. The lease has been extended till June 7th. June 5th is international
Ban horse drawn carriage day all over the world. If you know of anyone that can buy the horses and send then to a sanctuary or a ranch, that would be great. If they lose the lease, the owners may just get rid of them and send them to slaughter. I notified Jill Parker at Wild HOrse Rescue ranch in California. If you know of any movie stars that would buy them and send them to a horse sanctuary somewhere out there, they would sure deserve it after their hard life of pulling carriages. So sad. What a life. The dark dungeon, no freedom or fresh air, not enough water or good food. Freedom is what they need. If I had your email, I would forward the notice but just look up www.banhdc.org. Thank you for your love of animals. Anthony Marr is meeting with Big  Cat Rescue in Tampa on Tuesday to see if they can figure something out for poor Tony.
Look up www.pawsweb.org. The rescued lions from BOliva have arrived there. They have acres of grass, trees to scratch on, ponds to swim in after a life of small rusty cages in BOliva.
Thank you,
Cindy Wines
Animal Lover and Defender
Tucson, AZ

Hi Alicia! Thank you SO much for talking about this sad situation. From my apartment I can see the horses and they are out there in all kinds of weather, freezing cold, blistering heat. Horses don't belong in the middle of NYC amongst all the cars. They work so hard pulling those carriages and then they are sold to be slaughtered. It's just so sad. Anyway, I've joined the group "coalition to ban horse drawn carriages", and we were out protesting today. I was pleased to see many people coming up to us and saying they agree, I just wish there was more we and others could do to end it soon. Anyway, thank you for talking about this problem!!!!!!

Claire

Whenever I visit Rome I am always saddened by the poor horses toiling in the busy streets.  Please sign the petition:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/ban-horse-drawn-carriages-in-rome

We must find a way to end this horrible exploitation. 

Has anyone else seen the horses in Italy?