Shocking Verdict in Collapsed NYC Horse Case: What You Need to Know About Ryder
Update (July 21, 2025): Despite damning video footage of horse-carriage driver Ian McKeever violently hitting, whipping, and overdriving Ryder, a severely ill, emaciated horse who later died, a court of law found McKeever not guilty of overdriving, torturing, or injuring animals. The disappointing “not guilty” verdict is evidence that horses will never be safe as long as humans force them to pull carriages through chaotic city streets. PETA is calling for a ban on horse-drawn carriages to protect horses like Ryder from being worked to death by this merciless industry—and we need your help.
McKeever allegedly overworked Ryder in plain view of other carriage drivers and owners who did nothing to stop the abuse. Instead of helping Ryder, they stood in solidarity with McKeever during the case.
“All animals deserve to be treated with the utmost care, and the type of abuse that Ryder allegedly suffered is unacceptable.”
—Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
How You Can Help Horses Like Ryder
No matter where in the world you are, you can help horses like Ryder:
Originally published on October 17, 2022:
On August 10, Ryder, a horse used for carriage rides, collapsed in the middle of a busy New York City street, likely due to illness and heat exhaustion. He lay on Ninth Avenue for over an hour—with no veterinary care—while his driver reportedly slapped him, whipped him, and screamed at him to get up. PETA exposed this horror on social media within minutes.
About two months later, on October 17, Ryder was finally relieved of his agony. Veterinarians at Cornell University’s Equine Hospital euthanized him after they discovered that he was suffering from several untreated major medical problems.
His horrid owner, Colm McKeever, is currently being investigated for animal abuse. Colm falsified the horse’s health records, changing his reported age from 26 to 13, and he faces a New York State Department of Health hearing.
This elderly horse, who was twice as old as his abusive handler would admit in legal paperwork, deserved to spend his days in a pasture, not on pavement. PETA is calling on the New York City Council to pass Int 0573 and get suffering horses replaced with modern electric carriages before history repeats itself.
—Ashley Byrne, PETA Director of Outreach
Making horses pull loads like carriages is cruel. Horses are forced to toil in extreme weather conditions, dodge traffic, and pound the pavement all day long. They may develop respiratory ailments from breathing the exhaust fumes of motor vehicles, and they can develop debilitating leg problems due to walking on hard surfaces.
This appalling incident garnered attention from people all around the world, including celebrities who are using their platform to speak out against horse-drawn cruelty.
Help Horses: Take Action Now
Never take carriage rides pulled by horses, and explain to your family and friends why they shouldn’t, either. If your city allows horse-drawn carriages on its streets, urge your legislators to propose legislation that will ban them.
