Stopping NYC Horse Abuse

05/28/2026

05/19/2026

🚨URGENT: Another violent and entirely foreseeable horse carriage crash unfolded in Midtown yesterday, leaving a driver injured after a horse spooked and flipped a carriage over. We still do not know the condition of the horse.

Please take one minute to contact the New York City Council and Speaker Julie Menin and politely urge them to reintroduce and pass Ryder's Law to end this.
➡️Take action here: https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

Full New York Post article link in comments. ⬇️

“This has happened so many times, carriage drivers have been injured and nearly killed, passengers have been injured and nearly killed,” Edita Birnkrant said. New Yorkers have had enough of this."

NYCLASS urged Big Apple lawmakers to consider passing Ryder’s Law to phase out horse carriages — a nod to a carriage horse named Ryder who tragically collapsed while working on a hot August day in 2022.

02/18/2026

🐴🔥 We are officially in the Year of the Fire Horse, a year of freedom and strength.

Rescued carriage horse Chance has that freedom today. We saved her from a slaughter auction after the carriage industry discarded her. Now she runs free, living the life every horse deserves.

But in New York City, horses are still forced into traffic. New Yorkers have seen the crashes, the collapses, and the gruesome deaths. 78% of polled voters support Ryder’s Law.

Passing Ryder’s Law is how we give every carriage horse the same freedom Chance has now.

➡️Take action now: https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

Tell the New York City Council to pass Ryder's Law. The horses cannot wait another year.

01/15/2026

🐴We thank Council Member Frank Morano for his thoughtful and powerful commentary on last week's violent runway horse carriage crash and why he is a strong supporter of passage of in the New York City Council.

➡️Take action here to help us pass it: https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

01/14/2026

🚨BREAKING: The New York Times reveals that Destiny, a 25-year-old geriatric carriage horse, (the equivalent of an 80+ human) was already FORCED BACK INTO TRAFFIC by her owner after running wild and crashing into multiple vehicles just five days ago!

Destiny should have been retired years ago. Instead, her heartless owner sent an elderly, traumatized horse RIGHT BACK onto chaotic Midtown streets — putting New Yorkers and Destiny at risk. This is cruelty, plain and simple. The NNew York City Councilmust advance and pass Ryder’s Law.

🔗➡️Take action at this link: https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

The horse bolted through traffic and its carriage sideswiped a taxi, reigniting questions over the safety of carriage horses in Central Park.

01/13/2026

🚨 NATIONAL ABC NEWS 🚨

One week into 2026, a runaway carriage crash in Midtown Manhattan has already made national ABC News.
The carriage union’s excuse is not a defense. It is an indictment. Horses are nervous prey animals. Anything can frighten them, and when they bolt, a 2,000-pound animal becomes a weapon in traffic or in the park, as we have seen dozens of times.

People have already been seriously injured in carriage crashes. In seconds, someone stepping out of a taxi, crossing the street, or simply walking in the park could be killed.

The City Council has a legal duty to protect the public. We look forward to working with Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members to advance Ryder’s Law this year, a public safety solution supported by nearly 80% of polled New Yorkers and by the Central Park Conservancy.

🔗 Take action to pass : https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

We should not have to wait until more people are seriously injured or killed to act.

01/13/2026

⚠️“Forcing nervous prey animals, hardwired to bolt when frightened, to drag open carriages in chaotic Manhattan is reckless endangerment,” animal advocacy group NYCLASS said of the incident.

“While cities around the world have banned this, NYC is still gambling with lives in 2026,” the group said, renewing calls for a full City Council ban on carriage horses.

➡️Help us pass by contacting NYC Council here:
https://nyclass.org/stophorseabuse/

Video shows the steed running through multiple lanes of traffic and colliding with about five vehicles, including a yellow cab.

01/06/2026

We’re getting so close 💚

On Thursday, January 15, we’ll come together at Spicy Moon at Bowery 7PM-9:30PM for Voices for Horses — a joyful night of community, compassion, and action for New York City’s horses!

We’re thrilled to welcome Jamie Logan, animal rights creator extraordinaire and host of Jamie’s Corner, as our MC for the evening.

This night truly matters. 🐴✨

NYCLASS is facing a lawsuit from the Transport Workers Union because our advocacy exposes the truth about a cruel and outdated industry. They will not silence us. They will not destroy us. This is the year we win freedom for the horses. 💥

Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring

• a live comedic theatrical performance about the carriage horse industry with special guests

• music by Kirk Miller Music

• comedy by Pat Burtscher

• a DJ and surprise performances!

• delicious vegan food and cocktails

• Auction items and NYCLASS hats

✨ 2026 is the Year of the Horse ✨

And this is the year we fight to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC and retire the horses to waiting sanctuaries — where they can finally run free on grass, as nature intended.

🎟️ Get your tickets here ⬇️

👉https://form.typeform.com/to/nlZe9ZLV

We’d love to see you there.