Animals' Angels Investigation (West Side Livery)

Video made available from an Animals' Angels investigation shows the interior of West Side Livery, a multistory Manhattan stable that houses a number of New York City's carriage horses. Contrary to popular belief, these horses live in cramped tie stalls that can be accessed only by walking up steep ramps. More than an inconvenience, these ramps would pose a clear danger in the event of a stable fire. In lieu of sprinklers, the stable has fire buckets filled with sand. Hay is stored in the stable, making the building a firetrap. In the event of fire, flames would likely race through the building.

The horses at West Side Livery are tethered to feed troughs inside stalls so cramped that the horses can't lie down or turn around. The stable is 2 miles from Central Park.

Video highlights:
0:24 steep ramp at stable entrance
0:42 fire buckets
1:08 tie stall, thin white horse
1:46 dirty floor (urine)
1:53 horse eats from pail hanging on wall
1:56 horse is visibly tied to trough

Related story (CBS2 HD, 2007):
A 2007 CBS2 HD undercover investigation at West Side Livery revealed cramped standing stalls, floors covered with manure and urine, and inadequate bedding.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/carriage.horse.central.2.489867.html

NOTE: Some of the pictures shown in the Animals' Angels report were provided by an anonymous source.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• West Side Livery
• Animals' Angels
• New York City carriage horses
• horse-drawn carriage
• horse and buggy
• Central Park carriages
• tie stalls

[Glenfine1]

That is disgusting, what an awful life for any animal. Those horses are in appaling condition look at the length of their coats (which helps hide their lack of body condition) and how they have rough "staring" coats! How old are these horses? They look aged and in need of gentle care.Do they ever get to roll after a days slog? Do these "rides" still run over summer? I cant believe this is allowed to happen.

[bekindtoanimals100]

We had a protest today. The carriage drivers threw horse feces at us. One of them said he would tie me to the stall and let the horses rape me. Another threatened to knock my teeth out. So, much for the illusion of it being a fun family thing. These carriage drivers are sick.

[PaisleyPlace]

I'd been up around that area of PA. I've seen many Amish buy those horses and take them home where they are used to plow fields and run their carriages in and out of town in addition to the backboards when they need to purchase lumber or something more than little things they can't make or raise on their farms.

[PaisleyPlace]

Have you? Maybe you should get a job there and just show them how it's done... If you were as self-righteous as you think you are that's what you would do.

The horse in the stall could have been waiting to be moved elsewhere. Nothing in that video showed otherwise. It's worthless. As is your opinions.

[PitytheHorses]

And. I live in NYC. You should really take off your own blinders and check out the situation for yourself next time you visit. Otherwise, your opinion does not carry so much weight. These horses are treated like crap, and often their reward is a trip to the auction in New Holland, Pa., where killer buyers are standing by.

[PitytheHorses]

I don't know what you mean about one horse. have you seen the decrepit dump that is West Side Livery? Have you checked the water troughs lately?

[PaisleyPlace]

That was ONLY ONE horse? Where is all the TONS of mistreatment this video claims?

I've been to NYC & never seen mistreated or harmed horses in the line up where the carriage horses await rides.

[inhonorofmig]

The owners and drivers treating these majestic horses like inanimate objects will find reap what they sow in due time.

[PitytheHorses]

Yes, shame on the Department of Health and the Department of Consumer Affairs, the ASPCA, and anyone else who basically turns away from the sad spectacle of this horses. So disgusting.

[inhonorofmig]

this is typical for the industry as they care about money and money only. the slave horses are just that - slaves! Sad state of affairs when NYC allows this to go on. NYC residents are in favor of a ban. It is the unwitting tourists that dont know their miserbale lives. Watch them in midtown traffic or Times Square at 2 am and it is sickeningn to any feeling human being. Horse carriages in modern day NYC is pitiful. These horses have a miserable life!!