On December 18th, I was in NYC on business. Whenever I come to the city, I always take a side trip through Central Park. I like seeing carriages going through the park and the relaxed horses resting at their stand together.
For the first time, I decided to take a closer look. I said hello to a couple of drivers, and once they established that I wasn’t interested in a carriage ride, they gave me space to watch the horses. They were polite, but I felt an edge of wariness from them as I started asking them questions. I dismissed it as a normal level of caution in a big city. I asked about horse brasses, harnesses and why they all had numbers on their hooves. After answering all my questions in great detail, one of the drivers suddenly handed me a bag of carrots and said, “Here, give her a treat. Don’t know what’s going on with you, but maybe you’re missing your own horse or something.” It made my day.
Next to catch my attention were the articles hitting the national news a few weeks later. What was this controversy? I read up around it and discovered the whole massive, multi-layered debate. Better writers than I am are engaged in it, so I’m not going to repeat my findings. I simply wanted to let you know that the more I learn, the more I am moved to support you in any way I can. One one level, that means donating money to you and organizations like Blue Star Equiculture. You’re actually doing something for the horses. On another level, I am following your progress with great interest and sharing your story where I can. They should stop laying siege to you guys. You are operating with transparency, self-restraint, dignity and responsiveness. Real animal abuse is happening behind closed doors, not in a regulated and self-regulating business operating under intense daily public scrutiny.
Next time I’m in NYC, I’m going to support a horse and a teamster by actually taking a ride around the park. I might even hold a business meeting in a carriage. What better place to have a conversation about different perspectives and equitable, productive, working partnerships?
