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Nancy MacGown (MA)

As an equestrian and avid carriage driver for 60 years I disagree with the laws that are trying to outlaw carriage driving in NYC! I believe that the vast majority of the horse owners and drivers take very good care of their horses and that the nostalgia and romance associated with carriage riding is an asset to the city of New York

Sincerely,

Nancy MacGown

Member of: West Newbury Riding and Driving Club(MA ) Granite State Carriage Assoc.(NH) Moore County Driving Club(NC) Myopia Driving Club(MA)

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Carriage Horses in NYC and beyond

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to strongly oppose ending the carriage driving horses in NYC.  These horses are well cared for and lovingly handled.  They are able to tolerate the noise and traffic of the streets of NY and have a useful life of purpose.  It behooves their owners to take good care of them and treat them kindly as they are co workers.  No one would want to get in a carriage and pay money with a skinny or lame horse pulling the carriage.  So, both out of being business-minded and out of the love of the horses, these horses receive excellent care and training.  Like dogs or cats in NYC, these animals are not able to freely roam around in a pasture any more than the dogs or cats can run free down the streets.  However, I submit that these animals are lavished with love and attention, just like the horses in question.  Because people do not get to interact with animals like they do in the country or more rural locations, I believe that they receive even more personalized care and attention than the animals in the hills of Wyoming or the feed lot in Texas.

I also think that the carriage horses and owners add a great deal to the allure of NYC.  Children and adults alike love animals and enjoy the benefits of touching, smelling and being in the presence of these horses.  It 'softens' the landscape of neon signs and noisy cars by being able to go through Central Park and enjoy the scenery. An immense amount would be lost without having this opportunity.

Please do not overreact to this situation. It is not harmful to the horses. They would not tolerate it if it was. They are much stronger and bigger than their human and would run away if they hated their work.  Let the people who derive their livelihood and love their horses continue their way of life, while making NYC a more humane and beautiful place.

Thank you very much. 

Isabella Martin 

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Isabella (Boo) Martin,M.Ed. Executive Director & Founder Touchstone Farm Temple, NH 03084

www.touchstone-farm.org

[nyccarriages]

Proposed Legislation

It's so disheartening to read about legislation that could end the tradition of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. Horses who perform this job are highly unlikely to be capable of doing another job to "earn a living". If the horses were ill-treated, I'd be one of the first people rallying to help them, but they are well cared for and they are the loyal partners of the drivers who will also be unemployed should carriage rides be banned.

What's particularly appalling is the prospect of forcible removal of the animals from their rightful owners. By what authority can this ever come to pass? If it did, who is going to fund the on-going care of the horses? Where will they go?

Please direct your attention to the homeless people in NY and leave the carriage horses alone.

Cathleen A. Stringer