HA HA HA HA

[GTs]

So we had a 'vet' confront us with the carriages today about check reins - we have them attached to the cheek piece buckle, so they are super loose. They really only prevent the horses from putting their head down and running - a shear coincident that the only accident where a horse died in Boston was where a horse bolted in such a manor (it was not one of ours).

I just laugh that is the biggest the concern from someone is this - I guess the following are not important:

- Do you horses get offered water out here?
- How many hours a day/days a week do they work?
- Working on busy roads?
- The horses legs on the hard ground?

BUT NOPE - FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS!!! PONY PATTERS - I HATE THEM!

 

[Tia]

Just out of interest GTs; are your horses in Boston monitored daily by the ASPCA like they are in Central Park?

 

[GTs]

Nope - New York is a totally different set up. Firstly NY has 60+ licensed carriages, Boston has about 10. NY carriages are mostly privately owned, therefore they have 1 horse, 1 carriage and go out 5 days a week. Their horses live in the city, there is no turn out, etc - a horse needing 3 months off would put them out of business.

We have 1.5 horses per carriage, our horses only work 3 days week - they live on a farm 20 miles away, and turned out daily. All our horses are turned out for 2-3 months per year doing no work at all - right now Nugget is biting mares bottoms while on vacation.

I think we do a pretty good job of self regulating (carriage rides are romantic, and emaciated lame horse takes that away in a hurry) - though every year our horses are looked over by a vet, the department who regulates us, and there are random spot inspection.

 

[Tia]

It really sounds like the Boston horses have it pretty good then. Lovely to hear that they also have a life outside of work, so to speak.

 

[GTs]

Our horses do work hard but certainly are taken good care of. I do get kind of frustrated when I hear any negative comments - our horses have it a lot better than many pet horses. Also our company is very good when it comes to selling - all of our horses are sold to private homes after they retire from their job. They get to be spoilt! We also had a horse in the hospital the other year - unfortunately it died, but not many horses who cost $700 with a job are given the chance.