Dear John,
News this week about the
death of a bay gelding named Ryder hit us hard. We’re sure it hit you hard, too.
Our coverage of Ryder’s August 10 collapse on sweltering New York City Streets stirred the conscience of millions. We were swamped with calls about the carriage-horse industry that broke this geriatric, ill, malnourished horse. You were outraged. You demanded change. And you asked us to keep tabs on him to ensure his remaining years were happy ones.
The latest news though confirmed our worst fears. According to a story in the Daily News, Ryder “was recently humanely euthanized due to his medical condition and age.” The horse had over the last two months been diagnosed “with a variety of serious medical conditions that required for him to be put down,” according to the statement. His owners did not say what those conditions were, citing an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into the horse’s collapse.
Ryder’s death has stiffened our resolve to combat the mistreatment of carriage horses in New York City and beyond. These horses endure hardships and hazards on slick city streets all to provide a fleeting experience to tourists who often have no awareness about what the animals endure.
We’re committing to sparing horses the risks. But the fight to take the horses off the streets will require our own long workdays and slogging efforts. We have a battle ahead of us.
This industry has provided false assurances about the level of horse care for years. We continue to see horses down on the streets, hit by cars or trucks, or simply languishing in substandard stalls and barns.
With Ryder’s death, it’s time to rededicate ourselves to a lasting solution. We know it’s just a matter of time for the next horse to suffer some sad fate unless we turn this situation around.
We will continue our push for legislation to phase-out animal-based tourism and replace that method with superior, alternative means of mobile tours, such as electric carts. We are championing transparency and accountability when it comes to the treatment of the horses. And we are demanding a full accounting for Ryder’s health and death.
In a broader sense, we are refusing to accept the platitudes of the industry, which says in essence that only minimum reforms are necessary.
Will you help us continue the struggle? Ryder’s lifelong exploitation and suffering need not be in vain.
I hope you’ll donate today so we can press the fight.
Thank you,
Center for a Humane Economy
