Update (October 17, 2022): Ryder, the horse who collapsed on a New York City street in August, has finally been relieved of his agony. Veterinarians at Cornell Equine Hospital euthanized him after they discovered that he was suffering from several untreated major medical problems. His horrid owner is currently being investigated for animal abuse.
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
PETA held a public vigil for Ryder on Tuesday, October 18, at the location where he collapsed. Join us to honor his memory and to urge the city council to get horses off the streets.
No matter where in the world you are, you can help horses like Ryder:
Originally published on August 20, 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.
Over a month later, it’s been reported that Colm McKeever, Ryder’s owner, 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.
BREAKING: Colm McKeever – owner of abused horse Ryder illegally falsified @nycHealthy vet records, changing his age from 26 to 13.
Today he faces a DoH hearing. We must END this criminal abuse & PASS Intro 573! @NYCSpeakerAdams
Read our statement here: https://t.co/tUOIHzkcQC pic.twitter.com/pEdFDwhcNZ
— NYCLASS (@nyclass) September 23, 2022
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.
