Edie Falco to Adrienne Adams: Why Are You Blocking a Bill That Will Save Horses?
Award-winning actor and proud New Yorker Edie Falco is reminding City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams that in the city that never sleeps, it’s time to wake up and take action for horses. The Sopranos star penned an urgent letter to Adams, urging her to stop blocking Ryder’s Law—a life-saving proposal to phase out horse-drawn carriages in New York City—from getting the hearing that it deserves.
“I have literally lost sleep over the plight of carriage horses in my beloved NYC. I’ve fought for them at fundraisers, I’ve done voiceovers, I’ve recorded PSAs, etc. all in the hopes of getting these poor animals off the streets. I’ve been told repeatedly by people ‘in the know’ that ‘it’s being dealt with.’ For years … The Central Park Conservancy has joined the discussion as well, all of us wondering how on earth this is still being allowed to happen! This is New York, for God’s sake!!” –Edie Falco
The ‘City of Dreams’ Is a Nightmare for Horses
Carriage rides are no walk in the park for sensitive horses. Horses are easily startled, and New York City’s crowded streets, blaring horns, and wailing sirens are terrifying and dangerous for them. Day after day, carriage operators force them to pound the pavement for hours in the sweltering heat or freezing cold. The horses breathe in exhaust fumes that can damage their lungs and haul heavy loads on hard surfaces that can leave their legs aching and injured.
Drivers have even worked horses to death—just recently, a horse named Lady collapsed and died on the street in Manhattan. Her death happened just days before the anniversary of Ryder’s collapse, a horse who, in 2022, broke down on the street and lay there for an hour—with no veterinary care—while the driver repeatedly whipped him and screamed at him to get up. Ryder eventually died, but not before a veterinarian’s exam revealed that he was malnourished, sick, and elderly.
One administration after another has failed to take decisive action, but the horses can no longer wait.
Why Is Adams Blocking Ryder’s Law?
If passed, Ryder’s Law would protect horses from cruel exploitation and abuse—so what’s the holdup? In her letter, Falco condemns Adams for blocking for more than three years at the behest of the union that represents horse carriage owners. Before the death of Lady in August, polling showed that over 70% of New Yorkers—Adams’ constituents—want horse-drawn carriages banned.
“Please. Please—before another horse like Lady or Ryder is worked to death … these spectacular animals splayed out dead in our New York City streets for all to witness—Please stop blocking Ryder’s Law from moving forward. Please be the one that finally puts this to rest. It’s time. It’s past time. We’re New York. We’re better than this.” –Edie Falco in a letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
Join Edie Falco and Take Action for Horses in NYC
Horses are social, emotional animals—not a ride service. Many major cities, like Chicago and San Antonio, have already banned horse-drawn carriages—there’s simply no excuse for New York to lag behind.
If you are an NYC resident, please urge your city council members to help advance Ryder’s Law.
No matter where you live, you can take action for horses below:
