The Politics of Character Assassination to Ban Carriage Horses in New York City

 

A tradition lost to the politics of personal destruction?

One of the things that has most stood out over these months of viewing and researching the arguments of both sides of the carriage horse controversy in New York City, is the amount of seeming hate and actual vitriol emanating from those who fervently work to ban the iconic and treasured tradition in the city.

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It is nearly impossible when checking comments to newspaper sites or new entries to anti-carriage Facebook pages, to not encounter daily slurs, disparaging remarks, wild distortions and in some cases, outright labeling and name-calling targeted at the horse carriage industry and particularly, its drivers.       https://www.facebook.com/stophorseabuse      https://www.facebook.com/BanHDC

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But, it is not just the carriage horse drivers who find themselves routinely labeled as "greedy thugs, animal abusers, lawbreakers, simpletons" and even "racists" (a particularly popular label these days used to besmirch anyone not liked), but also all those taking carriage rides and anyone else otherwise supporting keeping carriage horses in NYC.

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For examples, politicians expressing opposition to the ban are called, "selfish liars." Horse supporting celebrities are labeled, "washed up actors." Horse supporting newspapers are accused of "yellow journalism." And the Teamsters Union to which the carriage drivers belong is accused  of "a reputation for being corrupt gangsters" (as tied back to former teamsters labor boss of the 1950's, Jimmy Hoffa).

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Typically, all those who in any way, support keeping carriage horses in New York City are labeled ignorant or heartless, "supporters of animal enslavement and abuse" or "carriage industry trolls." 

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Perhaps most disturbing however, is the seeming glee and sense of achievement expressed when distressing young children taken for carriage rides as described in one recently posted photo: "The child looks disturbed, as she should be. She is seeing our signs and banners and departing on a very dangerous ride."

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Has the campaign to banish carriage horses in NYC degraded to the point of even shaming young children?

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For many years, those tourists, lovers and families daring to take horse carriage rides in Central Park have been subjected to weekly "peaceful protests" that despite the claim of "peace" appear specifically designed to disturb, embarrass and shame people (and children) either by direct name-calling and/or displays of graphic, blow-up photos of the few and far between, unfortunate horse carriage accidents over the years. 

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In addition to the chants and direct confrontations, some protestors also take to following around (i.e. stalking) carriage operators and videoing/photographing both them and their passengers for purposes of posting accusation and labeling to the Internet. One recent example is a young woman taking a cell phone photo while on a carriage ride and later posted to Facebook with the caption, "Selfish selfie-taking."

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As one who has previously participated in rallies to protest the killing of Canada geese in NYC parks, I passionately support our Constitutional rights to protest. But when do such protests become not about education to enlighten and empower others, but rather, actions to devour others (as one of the models protested at the Victor de Souza carriage horse event this past September so well put it)?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC2pdD_mDH8

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In many cases, the protests appear motivated to evoke response from carriage drivers and in worse case scenario, even spook the horses themselves. (Certainly, it cannot be pleasant for the horses to be surrounded by angry protesters yelling and waving signs in their faces. Apparently at this point however, the horses are well used to the negative energy -- further testimony to their amazing forbearance and self-possession.)

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In recent years, a tiny percentage of carriage drivers have begun to stand up for themselves and talk back as this video shows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUjyoSeyZ2k.  Most drivers however (like their horses) are remarkably self contained and take the weekly verbal beatings with nary a frown or reaction.

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Nevertheless, politicians, police and others need be very concerned about the volatile and confrontational level these protests appear to have descended in recent months. All that is required for utter disaster is for some parent or carriage passenger to become enraged at the "shaming" and photo/video stalking and to react in extremely angry fashion as this recent video demonstrates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZsUiPvUNlc. 

This was an incident that resulted in media coverage and the police being called.  But, truth is, the incident could have been much worse, particularly if the horse had bolted or an actual fist fight broke out in the middle of large holiday crowds.

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Still, the most disturbing part about angry, demonizing protests seemingly hell bent on character assassination and "all or nothing" solution is the distrust and polarization they create and the damage they ultimately do to any efforts at constructive dialogue and/or to actually improve or refine conditions and situations. (Such is also seen in disrespectful rhetoric and hateful protests recently directed against the police in the NYC and the police reaction to turn their backs on the mayor.)

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Disrespect begets disrespect, hate begets hate and anger usually begets anger.

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Keep tossing inflammatory and demeaning labels on others and some "react" by ultimately becoming what we accuse them of.  Thus the person called, "fat" often takes to the refrigerator for comfort, the woman called, "slut" takes to partying non-stop, the man called "untrustworthy" will probably take up with other women, the person called "racist" will probably not nurture empathy for others. Labels have unfortunate way of defining others and often destroying self-esteem.  The thinking can become, "If that is what I am, I might as well earn the label."

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The question is, if we keep labeling others, "animal abusers," (or "racists") what do they ultimately become? (Fortunately, for carriage horse drivers and police, more New Yorkers support, rather than oppose them.)

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What is known is that the politics of hate and character assassination is not conducive to any kind of positive change, even the most minimal.

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Anti-horse carriage protestors do have some valid points in terms of particularly congested traffic conditions around 59th Street and Central Park South. As Blue Star Equiculture (the retirement sanctuary for carriage horses) puts it:  "Share the Road. Horses Paved the Way." 

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But such concerns are not given any political consideration in the face of "all or nothing" demands to ban the tradition entirely.

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So, instead of discussing or introducing legislation that would improve or refine potentially dangerous traffic conditions around Central Park South and create a safer environment for the horses, their drivers and passengers, the heated and often hateful rhetoric escalates and legislative attempt is instead introduced into the City Council, to banish the horses forever from Central Park.

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I personally believe that such, "all or nothing" legislative attempt will ultimately go nowhere for the simple reason that the politics of hate and personal destruction, while sometimes gaining traction in the short term, ultimately fail in the long run.

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Policies can and should never be made on the basis of distortive, smear campaigns and character assassinations.

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How ironic is it that in all the thousands of photos and videos posted online by anti-horse carriage groups, do we never see a photo/video of a protestor petting a carriage horse or offering a carrot?

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Is it because the drivers are too fearful of allowing the antis near the horses they so vehemently protest? Or is it because the antagonists are, at this point, incapable of actually connecting to and engaging with those they so fervently want "out of the city" forever?

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It's all very sad and regrettable.

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Yes, "Pity the Poor Horses" for having to endure for so long, such dismissal and lack of respect and appreciation for who and what they are and how so very instrumental to virtually all human progress they have been throughout the ages.  

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Thankfully, most New Yorkers understand and appreciate horses as perhaps the most valuable animals to our actual existence and wish to keep the carriage horses in New York City. 

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Hopefully, it is reason, respect and yes, healthy and beautiful tradition that will ultimately prevail in New York City.  -- PCA

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The Joy of the Holiday Season (With the Geese and Horses of Central Park!)

"Honey, we need to talk about your tendency to wave your butt in the air!"

Some of our new migratory arrivals at the Reservoir in Central Park.

A young boy offering treats to the hungry geese and ducks at the Boat Lake.

A carriage horse lowers head for a pat by young child.

Horse alertly looking back as passengers depart carriage.

Angelina -- "I'm big and I'm proud!"

Many new migratory Canada geese and duck arrivals at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park over the past few days -- a sure sign that the mild weather we have been enjoying in NYC recently is about to change. Normally, the late migrators arrive in December and typically stay in NYC for about six weeks -- or during the roughest parts of winter.

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There are also a few more geese and many more ducks at the Boat Lake in Central Park -- this despite the inexplicable, continued harassment on them by Geese Police and the CP Conservancy. One has to admire the birds' sheer tenacity and adaptability.

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It was particularly nice yesterday afternoon to note many people enjoying the geese and ducks at the Boat Lake as is typical for a Sunday, but even more so, during holidays. Families taking photographs of them and a couple of youngsters even navigating rocks to toss some treats to the hungry birds who are now attempting to fatten up before the real frigid temperatures hit and watercourses begin to ice over.

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Though I too, had packed a full bag of cracked corn and sunflower seeds for the hungry creatures, it was gone in the blink of an eye. The geese, ducks and gulls were very intent to get what they could, while they still could.

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Empty of all treats, I finally made my way from the Boat Lake in Central Park to the carriage horse hack line at 59th Street and Central Park South. 

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Because we are still in midst of holiday season, lines of tourists and families awaited the horses who eagerly (and seemingly very professionally) dropped off one set of passengers and picked up new ones -- each time, alertly looking back to see who was going and coming.

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Typically, people departing the carriages posed for photos with the horses taken by the carriage drivers and it was during these times, I got a couple of minutes to pet and coo to the horses.

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While seeming to enjoy the attention and sweet talk, the horses were however, focused, like laser beams on what was happening around them and their work.

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Appearing eager to "hit the road again," the horses swung their heads away from me as soon as new passengers embarked the carriages and moved forward without drivers even having to say, "giddy-up." A few of the horses even trotted as if reliving past glory days as racing trotters.

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I marveled at the horses' dedication to duty and their prowess and enthusiasm.

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But, most of all I marveled at their sense of joy and particular sensitivity to small children; one horse even lowering his head to receive the tender strokes of a toddler.

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Sensing that some of the drivers were out of carrots and regretting I had none, I found a food market a few blocks away, purchased a bag of baby carrots and returned to the hack line.

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One family had just departed from a ride and were setting to take photos with the horse. I offered a young boy of about ten-years-old a few carrots and showed him how to safely offer them to the horse by holding them in the flat of his hand.

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A huge smile and giggle lit up the child's face when the horse gently swooped the carrots from his outstretched hand.  "Mommy, look! He likes me, he likes me!"  So happy was the boy, I offered him more carrots while his mom snapped a slew of photos.

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Finally walking away, the mother thanked me profusely for the carrots to which I laughed, "Well, anytime you're going to see horses, make sure to have carrots!"

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My only regret was that so busy was I with the horse, the boy and carrots, I had neglected to take photos myself.

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My supply of carrots quickly down to a pitiful few as I had made my way through a number of engaging horses, I entered the park again to begin the long walk home. 

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There was a huge white draft horse taking a drink of water at the trough after completing a ride.

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"He's gorgeous!" I said to the driver.  "What's his name?"

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"Her name is Angelina," the driver chucked seemingly amused I mistook a girl for a boy. "And she's a wonderful horse."

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"Wow, she is bigger than most of the boys!" I laughed. "How old is she?"

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"15." the driver smiled proudly.

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"Would she like some carrots? I have a few." I asked.

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"Absolutely!  She will want to go home with you then!"

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Angelina apparently knew I had carrots as she gently and assertively pressed her nose at my bag.

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Swoop, swoop, till she got the last of the carrots offered to her.

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But, before leaving this time, I took a photo of Angelina's beautiful face which she was seemingly only too happy to pose for.

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Finally walking home, I felt on some sort of spiritual high.

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Though in the park nearly 4 hours, it had felt like mere minutes as seemingly every second had been taken up by either enjoying the plentiful geese and other water birds at the Reservoir and Boat Lake or the busy, bustling horses at Central Park South.

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But, mostly it was the completely positive energy of everyone -- both animal and human -- all around me.  

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I thought to myself, this must be what they mean when talking of "The joy of the holiday season."   Indeed, the day had been all of that -- and more.  -- PCA

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Slip, Sliding Away -- The Banishment of Tradition and Nature

Little girl enjoying one of the few mallards at Harlem Meer. Who needs wildlife anyway?

Carriage horse at Central Park. Who needs draft horses anyway? They are "antiquated."

Geese, geese, be gone from the Boat lake! Nature is "messy."

Migratory geese huddled on water of Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park against backdrop of city. Who needs migratory birds anyway?

 

"Slip, sliding away. You know, the closer to your destination, the more you're slip sliding away."   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_H-LY4Jb2M

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A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking with a friend and remarked on the difficulty of finding pretty and meaningful Christmas cards to buy this year.  "Oh," chuckled, Doug. "That is because no one sends out regular cards anymore. Everything is E-cards these days."

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"Really?" I questioned, surprised.  "But, it's so much nicer to have something in your hands! Something personal. -- Something, someone actually took the time to pick out and write."

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As matters turned out, Doug was apparently right. Not only was my personal list of Christmas card recipients much smaller this year than years past, but the number received was fewer than the fingers on one hand.

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Slip, sliding away.

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I was the only one in the building to put a Christmas wreath on my door this year.  And, unlike past years, there were little to no Christmas lights and decorations around my otherwise busy and bustling Upper East Side, Manhattan neighborhood. Were it not for news snips on TV about Black Friday shopping deals or the yearly rerun of "Its a Wonderful Life," one would not even know it was the Christmas season.

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Slip, sliding away.

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But, there were some areas of New York City where Christmas was very much evident and in view -- particularly around the Fifth Avenue department stores and of course, the carriage horses of Central Park. Long lines of mostly tourists waited patiently for the horses around the hack lines of 59th Street. Little children smiling in anticipation and glee at being able to take a ride or, up close and personal, pet a horse and offer a carrot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STHpqPkNzqs&feature=youtu.be

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But even this joyful picture has been marred in recent years by weekly, angry protests and nearly constant video surveillance on drivers by anti-carriage folks. They seek to record on photo or video, any tiny traffic or other infraction no matter how ridiculous or trivial to post on Internet sites in order to demonize and tear down an otherwise long and treasured tradition in New York City.

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"Horses don't belong in traffic!" the posters sneer. And carriage horses are "so last century" and "antiquated." 

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Slip, sliding away.

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And then of course there is the wildlife of Central Park.

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The late migratory Canada geese who normally seek out Central Park as brief refuge during the deepest parts of winter arrived over the past couple of weeks. Most take up a roughly six weeks residence at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir where they are safe from people, dogs and harassment.

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But, a few geese venture to the other watercourses in Central Park -- particularly, Harlem Meer and the Boat Lake.

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In recent weeks, I have wondered why no geese have been present at Harlem Meer -- or for that matter, other migratory water birds such as Northern Shovlers, coots or the occasional wood duck, all of whom used to be in ample abundance this time of year at the northern most point of Central Park. (Mute swans are of course, long gone from CP as there is general and current war against them in the state of NY). Currently, there is just a small band of about 30 mallards who still hold on at Harlem Meer, but that number is far down from what it was only a year ago.

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I have speculated that perhaps we lost far more water birds than was calculated during the particularly brutal winter in the north east of last year.

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But that speculation took a bit of a hit yesterday in news my friend and fellow nature lover, Liliana shared with me.  (http://theinsatiabletraveler.com/2014/12/19/rediscovering-new-york-lillian-bobo-feeds-birds-central-park/)

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"Geese Police was at the Boat lake yesterday -- yes, even Christmas Eve!" Liliana told me in despaired voice.

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A dog owner reported to Liliana seeing the man from Geese Police hurl a large canister filled with rocks and attached to a long rope on the lake to scare off most of the geese and ducks on the water. "It made a horrible, loud crashing sound!" the woman reported -- so bad, it even startled her small, Yorkshire  terrier. 

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One is at loss on what to say about all this. 

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It was only a few years ago, that a spokeswoman for Central Park Conservancy told me that the reason CP harasses resident Canada geese in the fall is "to make room the for migratory geese who seek out CP in winter."  Either the woman was misinformed or boldly lying as virtually all the geese (and ducks) being harassed now are migratory.

Slip, sliding away.

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There are those who will argue that we don't need Christmas cards because they waste paper and trees. There are those who will argue that we don't need carriage (draft) horses because the horses are "antiquated." And there are those who argue we don't need wildlife in our parks because nature is "messy."

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But I just find myself thinking of the Paul Simon song.

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"You know, the nearer to your destination, the more you're slip, sliding away."  -- PCA

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New York City in Need of a Mayor

Little girl feeding apple to carriage horse. Carriage horses will be in NYC long after our unpopular mayor is put to pasture.

New York City is in need of a mayor.

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Sadly, the current man at the helm is an embarrassment to the city and has served as instigator to problems, division and conflict as opposed to solver of them.

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Yesterday, Mayor Bill deBlasio blamed the media for "creating division" in the wake of heated anti-police protests that have occurred over weeks in New York City -- in many cases choking off traffic, shutting down bridges and assaulting police officers. This past Saturday, two police officers were gunned down while sitting in their patrol car. The violent deaths of officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu are a seeming wake up call to thousands of New Yorkers that matters have quickly spiraled out of control and our mayor appears asleep at the wheel -- or busy deflecting blame to the press, as he did yesterday. 

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http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/286605871.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_NYBrand

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Bill deBlasio was swept into office with only 18% of the registered vote on an anti-establishment and anti-police platform which appealed to only the far left factions of the city.  As matters turned out, most registered NYC voters didn't vote.

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DeBlasio's primary opponent during the primaries was City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn who was taken down partially by more than a million dollars funneled through NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets) to depict her as an "animal hating" supporter of NYC carriage horses (or as NYCLASS put it, "supporter of animal abuse.")

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By contrast, Bill deBlasio had promised NYCLASS and other extremist "Animal Rights" groups that he would "ban" carriage horses on his first week in office. (I put quotes around Animal Rights because its highly debatable how much this crusade has to do with actual animal rights and protection as has previously been pointed out in this blog.)

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DeBlasio of course did not ban carriage horses during his first week in office (an impossibility to anyone who understands how government and laws actually work). But he has since pushed for a bill to be introduced to the city council to banish the horses from New York City by 2016.

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Such action has stymied most New Yorkers, the overwhelming majority of whom (67% to 22% according to latest polls) support keeping the carriage horses in the city.

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Nevertheless, despite the wishes of most New Yorkers, opposition from every credible newspaper in the city, testimonies from equine experts, veterinarians and even rescuers to the health (both physical and mental) and excellent care of carriage horses, extremist AR groups have continued to protest and harass carriage drivers and tourists every week at the hack line at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.

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Perhaps the worst example of this can be seen in the video below shot several months ago during the Victor de Souza fashion show in New York City which propped models in horse driven carriages:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC2pdD_mDH8

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Though not known then, the above video was a foreshadowing of things to come in New York City.

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In the past, police lines and barricades are usually set up to separate protestors from those they are protesting against. Such is done to allow for free speech, while at the same time, ensuring safety for both agitators and the accused and to prevent matters from spiraling out of control.

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But, such was not done during the protest against the fashion designer which in actuality created a potentially and very dangerous situation -- one in which protestors are seen waving signs and screaming insults literally in the faces of models and horses.  Fortunately, none of the horses "spooked" (which says much for the actual composure of these animals under duress and the literal face of adversity) and models and drivers held their cool. Otherwise, it was a recipe for actual disaster.

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DeBlasio has stated that protestors should have the freedom to "vent."

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But, when do such freedoms cross the line?

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Do they cross the line with protestors up in the faces of those they hate and accuse? Do they cross the line when protestors have physical access to those they hate and accuse? Do they cross the line when protestors can shut down bridges, disrupt businesses and choke off traffic? Do they cross the line when protestors can yell death threats and assault law enforcement officers?

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The latter questions we would have to face mere weeks following the seemingly innocuous (or what deBlasio would deem, "peaceful") protest against the fashion designer and horse carriage drivers.

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But, make no mistake. There was nothing "peaceful" about the protest against the carriage horses that warm September 3rd evening and little that was actually peaceful in the anti-police protests that later followed. Rather, in both cases, the protests were mostly hateful if not in some instances, actually violent.

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One can certainly understand the frustration and despair of people (especially families) in instances of overzealous police force -- especially when that force results in the unnecessary death of an otherwise unarmed individual. But like it or not, we have a justice system to deal with such matters. And while we may not always agree with the decisions of grand or court juries, the fact is, they have access to far more actual evidence than does the general public.

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Juries are of course, not perfect.  One could argue that many a guilty person has been acquitted because of "lack of evidence."  But, how often have we heard it said that, "I would rather let 100 guilty people go free than convict an innocent person?"  That is how the justice system actually works in criminal trials. One has to be proven guilty "beyond the shadow of a doubt" -- a situation that in many cases releases violent criminals back to the streets for lack of enough hard evidence to show criminal intent and either move forward to court trial and/or convict.

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Obviously, many thousands of people were unhappy with grand jury decisions not to move forward with criminal prosecutions of police involved in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner deaths in recent months.

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But, were such incidents and decisions, "racist?"

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Not having access to all the evidence that grand juries received, I personally cannot answer that. Perhaps there is too cozy a relationship between prosecutors and police. Perhaps police overreacted as seems true from video of the Eric Garner incident. (Then again, police did not have access to Mr. Garner's medical challenges -- something that sadly may have contributed towards his death. Its not clear if a healthy individual would have perished from the same police takedown and under the same circumstances.)

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All of these are legal and medical questions which I am neither expert in nor privy to.

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What is known is that people have the right to protest that which distresses them or what they feel to be unjust.

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The question is (as asked above) when do such protests cross the lines and proceed into very dangerous territories? When do they become more about anarchy than actual justice?

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Mayor deBlasio has repeatedly referred to the anti-police protests as mostly "peaceful." He has said that we should not judge the "majority" on the basis of violent actions of the "minority."

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But, isn't that exactly what deBlasio himself did when proclaiming that he warns his biracial son, Dante, to be "wary" of the entire police force?

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And when asked by a reporter about some of the hateful chants yelled by protestors and how they may have contributed towards the violent deaths of two police officers this past weekend, deBlasio avoids the question and rather, deflects blame to the media.

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Media is not responsible for this.  The fact is, most major media did not even show or report on the below incident (protesters yelling, "What do we want? Dead cops!") including the reporter asking the mayor the question:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj4ARsxrZh8

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Mayor deBlasio has perhaps for his entire career, demonized the entire police force. In fact, it was one of the main issues he ran his campaign on -- that and carriage horses.

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Are there bad cops? Sure. There are "bad apples" in any profession or job (including mayors). 

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But, the overwhelming majority of police put their lives on the line everyday for the protection and safety of the public. Cops handle everything from tracking down and tackling criminals, to delivering babies, to playing peacemaker in neighbor or spousal disputes to even aiding people in car crashes or administering first aid to those experiencing heart attacks.

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Police officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were working overtime to bring protection to a particularly criminally troubled Brooklyn neighborhood when ambushed and shot to death this past Saturday. These murders were directly tied to rage and hatred against the NYC police in the wake of the Eric Garner death and subsequent protests. Were that not the case, the shooter (Ismaaiyl Brinsky), would have more easily killed police in Baltimore, where he shot his ex-girlfriend before coming to NYC.

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But the deranged and violent young man specifically came to NYC with one goal in mind. This was, after all the one place where people were yelling in streets for "dead cops" and the mayor warns his son to be wary of the police. Perhaps in the warped, troubled mind of the assassin he thought he was doing New York City some kind of favor and would be exalted to status of "hero" by many.

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There is ultimately no question that the demonization of the entire police force and hatred spewing out on city streets over the past many weeks played a key role in the violence and murder that occurred this past Saturday. No question at all.

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That our mayor insists on denying any role or responsibility and rather blames the media for this horrific series of events demonstrates unquestionably that deBlasio is unfit and incompetent to be major of our great city.

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For this reason, more than 60,000 New Yorkers have signed an online petition over the past two days calling for deBlasio to resign:

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http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/resignation-of-new-york.fb49?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=11475065

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As for our mayor's efforts to ban carriage horses in New York City, deBlasio's political capital right now is zero.

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The horses will still be in NYC long after deBlasio has been put to pasture. -- And thankfully so.

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The fact is, deBlasio's departure can't be soon enough. New York City needs a real mayor and not a divisive demagogue who at this point has the respect of few, least of all, the peacemakers who serve as the finest police force of the land -- that is, a long as they are not cut off at the knees by a dysfunctional and out of touch, mayor. -- PCA

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Flying Through the Woods on a Horse Named Gypsy

Memories of Gypsy......

Sometimes we are asked the question, "What have been the best three days of your life?"

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Among the three best days of my life was a beautiful, crisp April day when I was invited by two older work colleagues on a trip to a dude ranch in upstate New York for horseback riding.

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I was in my mid twenties and had never been horseback riding in my life. Indeed, my only interactions with horses were the occasional offerings of carrots to the carriage horses in Central Park. -- in other words, I was a complete novice, knowing virtually nothing about horses.

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I was in jovial company during the car trip upstate and the scenery was beautiful.

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When finally arriving to the dude ranch, I was first struck by the sense of being out of New York entirely.  Country music played over the sound system and everyone walked around in cowboy gear. It felt like the middle of Texas -- a place I loved visiting and staying in for six months, when a child.

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One of the men I was with was a very experienced horse rider and known to the ranch and so we were allowed to leave the premises with our rented horses. 

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Herb gave me some basic pointers on horse back riding 101 and though perhaps a little nervous in setting off on what was for me, a new adventure, I was reasonably confident and relaxed.

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The horse I was riding was a smallish, black horse named, Gypsy who also appeared very confident and relaxed.

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At first we navigated through some worn horse trails at a slow and leisurely pace. Everything felt beautiful -- the cool, crisp air, the sun shining brightly and the soothing clip clop of horses' hooves on dirt paths.

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But we eventually entered a wooded area and it was then that the experience transformed into some wondrous, fantastic dream that one could never imagine in real life.

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As if on some unknown cue, Gypsy broke into a fluid and seemingly fast moving canter as did the other two horses. -- So fast, that Gypsy's hooves seemed not to hit the ground at all.

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Suddenly, we were literally "flying" through the woods, sunlight flickering through the fast spinning trees and me feeling like I was, in one moment, transfixed and one with the horse and the universe entire.

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It was a feeling I never experienced before or since -- a sense of time stopping and yet swirling forward towards eternity. I perhaps should have felt frightened, but I wasn't. On the contrary, there was simply this overwhelming sense of peace, oneness and flying through time and space itself.

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It was a feeling and experience I never wanted to end.

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I don't know whether it was a few minutes or an hour later when we departed the woods and the horses again slowed to a walking pace. But I was speechless as all sense of words or reality had long since left.  I was transfixed in bliss.

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Finally returning to the ranch, we dismounted the horses and I stood a while just petting and offering carrots to Gypsy and thanking him for what was an experience I could not put into words either at the time or even now.

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But when it comes to interactions and relationships between horses and humans, it seems words are not needed.  Though he could not speak, I could sense that Gypsy felt proud and even happy that I was so pleased. He had a "job" to do and he obviously did it well and he seemed to know and take great delight in that.

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Herb, Hal and I then had lunch at the ranch and I couldn't believe how much I was enjoying the country music playing in the background (I was normally a rock fan). Everything was just so perfect and harmonious that day.  Great friends, great horses, great weather and even the country twang of the music.  It just all fit.

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It was nightfall by the time we finally made it back to the city. But, during the two or three hour drive back, I am not sure I said anything at all as I was so transfixed in trying to relive again, the memory of flying through woods on a crisp, sun-filled day on a horse named Gypsy. (Indeed, the only regret from that day is that I did not bring a camera. But the images and feelings are forever imbedded in brain and spirit as if they occurred yesterday. -- A feeling of oneness and spiritual partnership with a horse.)

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It has been decades since one of the three most wondrous experiences of my life. (The other two?  The day my daughter was born and the night my grandmother accompanied me to a Bob Dylan concert.)

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Herb sadly died from cancer a few months after our horseback riding trip.  He was one of the funniest and most warm hearted people I've ever known and his loss was profoundly felt by all who knew and worked with him.

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I did go horseback riding (locally) a number of times after the initial and mystical experience. Though always fantastically enjoyable, it was never quite the same as that magical day of flying in upstate woods with Gypsy and where everything was so harmonized and fitted right down to the country music and cowboy gear. Nothing could ever come close to equaling the sheer perfection and bliss of that beautiful day, particularly as exemplified in the proud and joyeus look on Gypsy's face at the completion of the ride.

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But, perhaps it is that experience that lives within me today in the struggle to keep our beloved carriage horses in New York City.

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The same look of confidence and pride in a job well done observed and felt so many years ago on Gypsy's beautiful, soft face is the same look seen a couple of weeks ago on a carriage horse named Harry's face.

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Whether in country woods or city streets, the partnership and connection between humans and horses is something to be forever cherished and jealously protected and guarded. It is to never be dismissed as to do so is to banish the possibility of perfection, bliss and yes, the splendor of the dream. -- PCA

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Animal Emotions -- Are Holidays a Stress on Carriage Horses? (Surprise, Surprise!)

Working carriage horse yesterday. "Abused, Miserable?" Note the forward ears and calm, engaging facial expression.

Mounted patrol horses yesterday in Central Park.

And a carriage horse quickly following in footsteps of police horses.

Alice enjoying some feed after ride.

 

Perhaps the one skill most important in animal rescue is the ability to accurately gage the emotions and energy of animals. This is vital not only for the safety of the rescuer, but also in terms of lowering stress, fear and panic in the animals and helping to ensure a successful outcome.

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I spent many years in animal rescue and placement -- both with strays on streets and Animal Control shelter animals. In nearly all cases, little if anything was known about the animals' histories and one had to rely almost exclusively on "intuition" and getting a general feel for the cat or dog.

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In 1981, when humanely trapping my first feral cat, (for spaying and release) I knew nothing about feral cats. While riding on the bus to take the stressed cat to the vet for spaying and shots, I made the huge mistake of putting my finger through the grating to try and calm the cat who was loudly yowling.  "Lilly" promptly sunk her teeth deeply through my finger and held on like a pit bull. By the time she finally released her grip, I was bleeding enough to completely soak through the large, fluffy white towel I had used to cover the trap.

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Later in the week, my entire arm blew up like a football and turned all the colors of the rainbow, making it hard to type at my job. The pain was quite intense making mere concentration difficult.

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But the good news was that both, I and the cat, Lilly, survived the ordeal no worse for the wear.

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Just as importantly, my first "initiation" into the world of stray and feral animal rescue was one that was ultimately beneficial, for it taught me the importance of being able to read animal emotions and how to work around them without being injured, bitten or severely stressing out an animal more than was absolutely necessary.

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For these reasons, I mostly abandoned use of humane traps for stray cats except in the most stubborn and resilient cases. It was preferable and more humane to slowly win trust of cats and gain their approach, at which time, I would grab the cat by the scruff of the neck and quickly lower or back up into a carrier. (Something that would not look pretty on photo or video, but is far less stressful for the cats.)  Such methods also work with stray dogs, though when gaining a dog's trust and approach, one gently places a slip leash over the dog's head.

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Though I would go on to rescue several thousand more animals over three decades, I was never seriously bitten or injured again (though got scratched and nicked a few times).

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The reason for relating all of this now is because, while I am not an expert on horses specifically, I have spent decades learning to gage animals' emotions in general, both domestic and some forms of wildlife (mainly, geese and ducks).

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For months, I have been researching  and reading the online sites of those whose goal it is to ban carriage horses in New York City with the claims that the horses are "miserable, abused" and "suffering" and represent "danger" to themselves and others (e.g. "weapons when spooked.").

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Though I have spent many hours actually observing the carriage horses in NYC, interacting with them and speaking with their drivers, I have yet to meet a single carriage horse who engendered in me the feeling that the animal was "miserable, overworked" and "suffering."

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On the contrary (as previously written), I have observed and experienced the opposite. -- Animals with sense of purpose who are thoroughly engaged in what they are doing and actually appear to enjoy the engagement with people and mental and physical stimulation.  

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So the question: Have I simply lost touch and ability to gage animal emotions?

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Yesterday, I sought to again observe carriage horses, but this time during one of the busiest seasons of the year for tourists and carriage rides.  Moreover, I went to Central Park and 59th Street late on a pleasant, but nippy Sunday afternoon when many of the daytime horses would be nearing the ends of their shifts. 

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Would the horses be straining and showing signs of exhaustion and overwork? Would they appear miserable and stressed?  This was something I had to see for myself.

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The first horses observed were those actively engaged in carriage rides through Central Park.

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Not only did the horses not appear to be in any way "exhausted," but on the contrary, there appeared to be more of a spring in their steps than usual!

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One carriage horse even quickened his steps to seemingly catch up to the horses on mounted patrol slightly ahead of him.

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Looking closely at the working carriage horse and the several police horses a few steps ahead, it was impossible to tell any difference among them in demeanor and mood. All appeared to be of good and lively spirit, the only difference being the mounted patrol horses had police officers on their backs and the carriage horse, a carriage to his/her rear. 

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But, confidence, energy and engagement were exactly the same.

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By the time I walked to 59th Street and Central Park South, I was already experiencing some measure of surprise, but even more was soon to come.

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As expected, the holiday crowds were deep and dense with many tourists and lovers taking carriage rides.  One could feel the high energy literally in the air as the horses were kept moving and busy.

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Because of the rush of activities, I did not get a whole lot of opportunity to talk with drivers or engage as much with the carriage horses as normal, but there was some.

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What struck me with the few horses actually approached was that they were not too interested in bumping chests and beseeching treat, but rather in staying focused on their work.  In other words an energy that said to me, "Nice to see you, but I've got a job to do and we're on a roll!"  An energy that quite perfectly mirrored that of their handlers and drivers.

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Several drivers did put out the buckets of feed for their horses at the end of rides, but even then the horses appeared more focused on activities around them than showing a whole lot of interest in eating.  It was as though they would miss out on something by munching, though most did take a few mouthfuls.

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Walking through the hurried crowds, one little boy squealed in delight to his mother after a ride and giving a carrot to the horse, "Mommy, the horse licked me! He licked me!" 

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Though there wasn't a lot of time to speak with drivers, one answered when asked what he thought of the proposed ban, "Those people don't know anything about horses and what they need!"

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From what I was observing, I had to agree though fully admitting not to be an expert on equines.  Nevertheless, the energy the horses were exuding was one of enthusiasm and eagerness.  "Despair and misery" were not in evidence anywhere -- least of all in the carriage horses themselves.

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Finally, walking home through Central Park, my memories drifted back to the days of working at the Russian Tea Room during the holiday season (a particularly popular restaurant with tourists).

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How great was it then to go into work each night and feel the hours fly by like minutes! The busier it got during the holidays, the more energized I and other workers became! So fantastic and invigorating was it, that I happily volunteered for overtime and double shifts right through New Year's as I could not get enough of the stimulation and vibrance of feeling needed and time speeding by. (Very different story unfortunately after the holidays.)

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That was what I actually felt from the carriage horses yesterday.

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Just like humans, they seem to revel in the feeling of being wanted, needed and appreciated. 

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Horses who (logically) should have been tired after a long day of work, appeared rather, willing and eager to do it all again -- just like I was so many years ago when so mentally and physically engaged and stimulated. (Gosh, what magnificent animals the horses actually are. They are to be awed, not pitied.)

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Perhaps I should return to Central Park South again after the holidays if the goal is to finally see what the anti-carriage folks have been describing as, "sad and miserable" horses?

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Only then I suspect the horses will return to their familiar and funny chest nudging, "Me, me!  Pay attention to me!" behaviors.  

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For sure, I will need many carrots then.  -- PCA

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