Our beloved horse drawn carriages in Central Park. Hard to imagine them replaced with electric buggies.
There’s been so much debate…”the animals are not treated well”…”it’s dangerous for carriages and cars to be on the same street”… “it’s inhumane”…”it was fine many years ago, but not for today…”
But a number of investigations into the conditions of the horse stables have found no evidence of neglect or mistreatment. My personal observations and chats with the drivers show a passion for their jobs and their horses, as well as tourists and locals enjoying this “living landmark.”
And now it’s turned into a political battlefield. The newly elected mayor plans to ban the horse drawn carriages, perhaps driven by initial campaign donations? It’s also interesting to note that the midtown stables where the horses are housed is valuable real estate for developers. Hmm….
Couldn’t there be a compromise? Instead of the horses being housed in midtown Manhattan, perhaps utilize some structures within the park eliminating the need to having them on the street? Or provide protected lanes from Central Park to the stables once the horse carriages leave the park?
Who knows what (or who) to believe in the news these days…but thinking about electric buggies replacing the horse drawn carriages just makes me sad. I guess…time will tell…
P.S. Note the “featured” photo as well as the final one were captured with my Pentax K1000 film camera.
It’s been over 30 years since I picked up that camera…a learning experience for sure!
Another icon being lost in our world
So agree Bill!
That debate has been going on for quite awhile now.
Unfortunately, everything like this is driven by politics and greed.
So sad that another wonderful icon will taken away. Not all change is good, in my opinion.
Your photos are beautiful. My camera was a Pentax, too when I did photography.
Love the real film with the diffent speeds and the darkroom.
I have no clue on how to work a digital camera.
I also love your ideas on keeping the horses on the park grounds or the protected lanes. You should present those ideas to the appropriate Board.
Thanks for sharing, as always.
XOXO
Thanks Lisa! Looks like my thoughts are similar to many others…but who knows what will happen! xoxo!
I hope that a solution will be found and the horses can stay! They are an icon and to take a Ride in a horse drawn carriage is so utterly romantic!
Absolutely! I love seeing the couples taking this ride…romantic indeed!
Wonderful images, as always:)
Thanks Elena!
I love how you share your world(s)!
Thank you!!
Oh NO!!! They have to save the horses. Central Park just wouldn’t be the same without them. I will hold positive thoughts that the decision makers will wake up and come to their senses REAL soon… Thanks for sharing. XoXo MORE!!!
I so agree…I can’t imagine not seeing them and hearing the footsteps on the pavement! Thank you!
Sad indeed!!!!
Boo hoo is right!
I love coming back to this topic (after V&V) to see more images, dear Robin, now that we are back home from England. How can any of us imagine not seeing such beauties anymore????
YAY for picking up that camera again, after all these years. You are one amazing woman!
Oh…Thanks Miss Ginnie! It’s fun to play with film again!
The horses look wonderful as do the carriages. It is hard to imagine that anyone would think removing them from the city could be an advantage on any level at all. As always your photographs bring everything to life
For one thing those horses should stay. I think that is a lot of the charm of NYC.
Dear Lady, I am impressed by your pictures, too bad we don’t live in NY, I would walk the HighLine at least once a week, just to see the flowers.
Absolute fabulous pictures from the desert, so good, a delight.
Love and hugs.
Would be such a pity wiithout them. I’ve just seen carriage horses at Majorca, and I have seen how they got water showers when it was hot, and how their owners took really good care of them. I hope I’ll see your horses one fine day when I’m going to visit NYC …