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Open Your Eyes for Blinders: Alec Baldwin Hosts Exclusive Premier

Written by PETA

Posted 06-19-2008

10 Comments

Photo Credit: Patricia Schlein

Last night was another red-carpet moment for animals. Alec Baldwin hosted the premier screening of Blinders—the latest documentary to give viewers a critical inside look at the inner dealings of the horse-drawn carriage industry. Director Donny Moss exposed the archaic industry for what it is—a living hell for horses. Forced to spend their days breathing in exhaust fumes, walking on hard pavement, and risking their lives because of weather extremes and idiotic NYC drivers that somehow passed their driver's tests, these horses are prevented from doing anything that is natural and important to them. Moss began to record the daily lives and living conditions of horses pulling carriages in and around Central Park after noticing the onslaught of recent injuries to horses in the carriage industry.

Says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk of the documentary, "From the stench inside the horses' minuscule stalls, where horses sleep standing up in piles of their own waste, to the hostile streets of Manhattan, where horses live a nose-to-tailpipe existence, Moss doesn't blink in documenting how horses live long after tourists' 30-minute rides are over."

Chrissie Hynde, Pink, and Lea Michele have all thrown their support behind a carriage-horse-free NYC; now it's your turn. Throw your blinders in the trash and jump on the bandwagon ... so to speak, of course.

Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky

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ABC, NYC, carriage horses, Alec Baldwin, huskies, basketball, of, North, White Rain Carolina, UNC, tar heels, wildcats, sparty, the best damn sports show period, american public media, marketplace, blinders

Recent Comments

Elizabeth Schreiber commented:

1-13-2009 7:49 PM

The movie was a real eye opener.Howeveras far back as 20 years ago I was engaged in a one on one debate with a driver of a horse drawn carriage.The Horse was thin and it's overall condition was pitiful.A nice idea when they were kept in Central Park and the city wasn't so congested and they weren't so easy to replace with another horse.It's over.Time to quitantiquated and best left for real rides in the country. A Horse owner for many yearsI consider it a relationship.Mutual respect a must. Elizabeth Schreiber
RANSON Louise commented:

9-1-2008 2:20 PM

At last I can speak. Not only in New York does the plight of carriage horses haunt my sleep. In QAuenec City at 40C stupid people get in these carriages. When they alight the horses are panting and nobody gives a damn. In Malta it is the same. It Greece it is the donkeys. If people stopped using these carriages the problem would be erwed. You have found a champion Alec Baldwin. Bravo to him and to you. Can we help? Do tell. Warm regards Louise Ranson
Vicki commented:

8-3-2008 6:53 PM

Can someone PLEASE HELP the horses in St. Augustine FL. It's so sad to see them pulling carriages loaded with people. These beautiful animals are dealing with heat humidity AND exhaust fumes. St. Augustine is no longer a small quiet city the traffic is unbelievable the streets are congested. It breaks my heart to see what these horses have to endure. About a week ago a carriage overturned because they say the horse took the corner too sharp. Thank goodness the horse and riders were not injured. I was told the alternative for these horses would not be good.
joannemcneil commented:

6-30-2008 4:19 PM

i think it should have been banned long ago i never agreed with it.
Becky commented:

6-23-2008 3:05 PM

While I live and work in Chicago a Very different place than NYC I was outraged at the obvious lies in this socalled documentary and agree on the ban of the movie.
lynda downie commented:

6-22-2008 11:44 PM

Thanks once again to Alec Baldwin for speaking up for animals. I hope NYC listens to his message.
Becky commented:

6-20-2008 11:44 PM

Thank you for this compelling story. It is time that people learn the truth about NYC's horsedrawn carriage industry it is corrupt politically entrenched and simply inhumane.
roxanne commented:

6-20-2008 9:50 PM

Do you really expect the city council to do the right thing when the lobbyist James McMahon brother of councilmember Michael McMahon send letters to the city council to boycott the screening of blinders. It seems the council is ruled by the lobbyist and not by NYC residents
erin finn commented:

6-20-2008 8:53 PM

So glad to see him bringing attention to something most turn a blind eye to pun intended It's a disgrace how these horses live if you want to call it living something must be done. a ban must be made.
Pamela L. commented:

6-20-2008 1:17 PM

What a wonderful way to get the message out to people who don't understand the horrific conditions of the innocent horses and exactly lay it out to those don't thing this is a big deal. It is! And thanks to all the celebrities involved!

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