NYS HORSE COUNCIL EXTERNAL POLICIES AND STATEMENTS
HUMANE TREATMENT AND HORSE SLAUGHTER: The issue of equine handling and slaughter
evokes strong emotions on all sides of the discussion. There is one perspective that equine arefarm animals and slaughter is part of farm management. Another perspective views slaughter
as a necessary way to deal with unwanted animals. Yet another perspective of equine owners
consider slaughter as inhumane and totally unnecessary. The NYSHC has members who
support each of these three positions.
NYS Horse Council members generally agree that dealing with unwanted equine is an importantissue. The actual issue of slaughter is more divisive. What we can agree on is:The NYSHC supports the position that equine are livestock and should be treated withthe care, respect and handling as afforded all other livestock.
The primary focus of the NYSHC is to provide the best possible solution for equine careof all animals.
The NYSHC supports the right of equine owners to make decisions they feel are best for
their own animals as long as the health, safety and welfare of the animal is considered.
The NYSHC believes the use of rehabilitation facilities, rescues and alternative
placement for unwanted horses should be considered as a primary disposition method if
it leads to a better outcome for the animal, the owner and is economically viable.

The NYS Horse Council believes health, safety and welfare should be the driving consideration
for all equine decisions. All alternatives should be explored for placing an unwanted horse
before any consideration is given to destroying an animal.

ENDORSEMENT OF AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL WELFARE CODE OF PRACTICEThe New York State Horse Council reaffirms its support for the American Horse Council’s National
Welfare Code of Practice.
We are committed to the safety, health and welfare of all equine in our State and strongly advocate thatposition to our legislators and the general public.
As a member of the American Horse Council, we would like to go on record for this support and ask tobe listed among all organizations currently endorsing this Code.

NEW YORK STATE HORSE COUNCIL, INC. STATEMENT OF SUPPORTFOR THE NEW YORK CITY CARRIAGE HORSE/CARRIAGE HORSE INDUSTRY
It is not a question of whether the carriage trade is necessary to New York City or not. Thecarriage horses are an iconic symbol of NYC; they are part of the cultural heritage not onlyof NYC, but also of America. They provide economic benefits to the City through tourism
and tax revenues. Today’s carriage horses provide a presence and exposure to ruralanimals not available to many anywhere else.
Some people have labeled the carriage horse industry as “inhumane.” It is not. While theword “inhumane” is not mentioned in the law, cruelty is. NYS Agriculture & Markets Law,
Article 26 and more specifically, Section 353, defines cruelty as “failure to provide propersustenance, such as food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
All the NYC carriage horses are well taken care of and have better than average stabling
available to them. Each horse is provided food and water (each carriage carries food andwater for the horses so they may eat/drink during working hours); the stables are warm,
well ventilated and have spacious stalls for resting during non-working hours;
Veterinary care is required and provided annually and on call; each horse also has a mandatory
minimum of 5 weeks’ vacation annually at nearby farms. The NYC carriage horses are probably
the most regulated horses in the country, if not the world. They are covered by approximately
144 pages of regulations; they are watched over very closely by multiple city agencies, including
the Health Department and the NYPD.
It is the opinion of the Board of Directors of the New York State Horse Council that the NYC
carriage horses and their owners should be allowed to continue to operate their small
businesses without fear of reprisal or loss of livelihood. The horses are a great tourist
attraction because they ARE horses not cold, impersonal pieces of metal.
The NYS Horse Council hereby calls on all other State Horse Councils and all concernedhorse groups and horsepersons throughout the country to come to the support of theNew York City carriage horses and the carriage industry. The world is watching to see what
happens here; the outcome could affect YOU!
“The mission of the New York State Horse Council, Inc. (NYSHC) is to create a strong,unified voice for all interests toward the preservation of a future for horses in NewYork State. “RELEASED January 14, 2014 (updated September 16, 2014)