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There was a time when sheep grazed at Sheep Meadow in Central Park. There was a time rabbits romped the paths of the Rambles and horses galloped the Bridal Path. There was time, only a few years ago, when at least a hundred Canada geese graced the waters at Harlem Meer this time of year.
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The sheep and rabbits are long gone from Central Park. Riding horses have since been replaced by endless runners on the Bridal Path. And the geese have been relentlessly slaughtered and harassed in New York City to the point there is only now, one pitiful family of four geese remaining in the 839 acre park. Soon, even they will be gone.
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This past Sunday, I went to the Boat Lake to see the geese, but could not find them anywhere on the lake that was covered by at least 50-60 rowboats. (Apparently, the geese were hunkering down somewhere as it was middle of the day. My friend reported seeing them yesterday morning.)
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Feeling somewhat disconnected to my surroundings, I left the Boat Lake and continued to walk south to 59th Street where I was sure to see some animals in Central Park -- the carriage horses at least.
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While walking there, I stopped to watch (for a long time) passing horses and carriages at the 72nd Street park drive, carefully searching for any signs of abuse, overworking, exhaustion or cruelty.
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Though I saw close to 20 horses and carriages and it was a fairly warm, humid day, not one of the horses had even broken a sweat nor did any appear to be even slightly tired or straining to pull carriage.
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On the contrary, all the horses appeared relaxed and walking at very slow and leisurely pace -- almost as if they were walking themselves. Drivers barely had to do anything but point to various sights of interest to their passengers.(like tour guides). The horses know where to turn, when to stop and even where to get fresh, running water.
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If not knowing better, one would almost think the horses were fully in charge and command during the carriage rides and not the humans.
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Of course that is not really the case (just ask any of the people opposing horse carriages. According to some, the horses are "enslaved.") But, no matter how much time spent or horses observed, I could not detect even hint of any kind of "abuse" or "exploitation."
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On the contrary, either up close or from distance, I kept feeling I was looking at basically happy and secure animals. Horses who are confident in who they are and their place and job/role in the world.
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"Happy" is of course, a very subjective word and it can be hard to discern in either humans or animals. What is "happy" after all?
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Some us might think that in humans, "happy" is intensity marked by smile, laughter, a kind of free, devil may care attitude, wealth, success, love and a general joie de vivre. That is all probably true, but it might cause us to wonder and question why sometimes comedians and others who seem "to have it all" commit suicide?
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In animals, "happy" can be even more complex to discern. What is a happy animal?
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Quite frankly, it seems in both animals and humans, happiness is sense of balance, harmony, security, connection to others and the world around one. It is knowing and feeling confident and comfortable with one's place in the world and one's "role" in life.
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It is seemingly "icing on the cake," if one (animal or human) has an ideal and beautiful place to live, bountiful friends/relationships (with one's own kind) and plenty of leisure (non-worry and non stress) time. But, these are not necessarily determinants of happiness.
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I have for example, seen stray cats and even dogs living in junk yards where life was harsh and unpredictable, but who nevertheless, appeared "happy." By contrast, there are many cats and dogs living in beautiful homes exhibiting "behavioral issues" associated with depression, anxiety disorders and stress.
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Obviously, beautiful surroundings and even "love" as we define it are not necessarily preludes or determinants to being happy for either man or beast.
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But, harmony, balance and comfort with one's "lot in life" seem to be. Those and sometimes a little stress and challenge thrown in just to spice things up and keep them interesting.
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Comfort with one's lot in life is perhaps what I have most observed in the carriage horses of Central Park over this past week. Yes, there is noise and activity around them. Yes, the streets of New York City might not be the story book environment for them. But, like the nine million people living here and adapting to the stresses of life in the big city, the horses appear to be very adaptable, too.
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Should we assume that 9 million humans living and in most cases, working in NYC are "miserable?" Should we assume millions of dogs and cats living in city apartments are "abused" because they don't have a yard in which to run around?
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If we cannot accurately make these assumptions for humans and other animals living in NYC, why should we assume the horses are "miserable" and "abused" because they are not living the life some of us envision for them? ("Frolicking on farm or bucolic setting.")
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What I saw this past Sunday were horses being rewarded with carrots, buckets of oats, a pat on the neck and/or praise when returning from rides. Part of their "job" seems to be posing for photographs and putting up with people lavishing compliments. One driver even laughed that when talking too much with people and not paying enough attention to his horse, she nipped him on the arm as if to say, "What about me? Pay attention to me!"
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It reminded of when my dog, Tina would get jealous anytime I paid more attention to Puppy Boy. She'd interject herself between us as if to say, "What about me?"
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But, these things seem to point more to relationship between human and animal than to any neglect or abuse. Certainly, I was not abusing my dogs.
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In writing all this, it is not to paint a Pollyanna picture that everything is "fine" and perfect with carriage horses of NYC or that every driver loves or cares about his/her horse in the same way or to the same degree others do. Nor am I saying every carriage horse is "happy" all the time and to the same degree.
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What I am saying simply, is that these horses do not need rescue. (Tragically, tens of thousands of other horses do.)
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Improvements need to be made. Loopholes need to be closed that allow for any type of neglect or irresponsible abandonment. Horses should have opportunity for some pasture and grazing apart from that offered by 5 week vacations in the country alone. I am sure there are many others, but as the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day" and everything is work in progress.
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What doesn't want to be seen are the carriage horses disappearing and being banished from Central Park, the same way so many other animals have vanished or been wiped out over the years (including my beloved Canada geese).
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Horses helped to build this great city. Incalculable numbers actually perished doing so as there were no laws to protect them in centuries past. But it is very different now. How ironic and hard-hearted is it for us to come all this way and say now, we no longer want and welcome horses here -- even if just to pull a carriage through part of Central Park?
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Does it ever occur that the horses might actually derive a little bit of comfort and happiness from knowing and exercising their role and place in the world and that there are humans who greatly appreciate, cherish and strive dearly to hold on to and protect that -- both for them and for us? -- PCA
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