They’re not horsing around at the Clinton Park Stables. That was the assessment of the president of the New York State Horse Council after visiting the West Side facility Thursday to see firsthand how New York City’s carriage horses are treated. “It’s wonderful,” Marsha Himler said of the home to 76 of the iconic Central Park carriage horses... Himler said conditions at the stables are in complete contrast to how naysayers — who want Mayor de Blasio to put the horse carriage industry out to pasture — have depicted them. “Most of that negative press is, in my opinion, from people (who have) never been here, don’t know anything about horses, don’t know whether a horse is being taken care of correctly or not, and they’re going to listen to what they hear,” Himler said. She noted that ramps were cushioned with rubber mats to make descent and ascent for the horses easy, and that the 8-foot-by-10-foot horse stalls were roomy and well-ventilated. She was also impressed with the stable’s misting system to cool down horse in hot weather. “I know what it takes to take care of a horse. I know when they’re being taken care of well and when they’re not,” said Himler, who owns a 47-acre horse farm in Saratoga Springs. “They’re probably safer than some of the horses out in pastures,” she said of the animals housed at the Clinton Park Stables. “It’s proof that they’re not being treated cruelly.” “It’s my personal opinion that it is a grave mistake if any type of legislature banning carriage horses passes,” Himler said. “We’re here to support the carriage horse industry and do whatever we can to see that it continues.” “We’re very, very interested in what happens here in New York City with the carriage horse industry,” Himler said. “Because if this goes, so goes possibly the rest of the country.” “These are above average stables,” Clarke said. “People who are saying to the contrary haven’t been inside.” Budnik agreed, describing the stables as “open, airy and very comfortable.” “Anyone who thinks otherwise should see it for themselves,” Budnik said. “Don’t just listen to what people are saying. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.” “It’s just another brick for the foundation to solidify our place here in the city,” Malone said. “All horses should be as lucky to have owners and a facility as nice as this,” he added. “It’s not an environment thats cruel to horses, its people who are cruel to horses. People this good deserve to stay in the business.” (Full article in the link below...)
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 02:24:34 +0000
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