When Ryder the carriage horse collapsed near Times Square in 2022, the world watched in horror.

But banning horse-drawn carriages won’t prevent the next tragedy — stronger protections will.

Ryder had been out for hours on a hot summer day. He was underweight, possibly sick, and later euthanized after a diagnosis of bone cancer. His collapse sparked outrage, but it also exposed gaps in how we protect the animals that serve New York City’s historic carriage trade.

Without stricter rules, horses can fall through the cracks.

That’s why we’re calling on the New York City Council and Mayor Eric Adams to pass stronger, enforceable health and safety regulations for carriage horses, including:

• More frequent and independent veterinary checks
• Limits on working hours during heat waves
• Transparency about a horse’s age, condition, and medical history
   

We can respect tradition and protect animal welfare. The answer isn’t eliminating jobs or banning the industry outright — it’s demanding higher standards that keep horses safe and healthy on our streets.

Sign this petition to push for real reform and honor Ryder’s legacy with action.