Horses' future uncertain if NYC carriage rides end


NEW YORK (AP) — Activists working to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City say volunteers are clamoring to adopt any animals thrown out of work if and when the industry shuts down.

Groups including the Humane Society of the United States say they can guarantee homes for all 200 or so of the horses licensed to pull carriages in Central Park.

But even if their own horses aren't in danger, the carriage drivers warn that shutting the city's stables might have unintended results.

They say it will eliminate a rare outlet for surplus horses pouring out of the farming and racing industries.

Last year, 140,000 horses were shipped off to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico when they became unprofitable for their owners.

Carriage drivers say eliminating potential homes for those animals is irresponsible.
