New York City’s long-running horse-drawn carriage industry is facing a major change as Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports efforts to end the use of horses for tourist carriage rides.

For more than 150 years, horse-drawn carriages have been a familiar sight around Central Park, attracting visitors from around the world. However, animal welfare advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about horses working in busy city traffic, extreme temperatures, and potentially dangerous conditions.

The debate has intensified following incidents involving carriage horses collapsing or becoming injured on New York streets. Animal protection organizations argue that the animals should no longer be required to work in such an environment.

Supporters of the carriage industry, including drivers and some horse owners, maintain that properly cared-for carriage horses can work safely and warn that a ban could threaten jobs and livelihoods.

The proposed transition has been discussed with a target of June 2028, although the precise legal arrangements and implementation timeline require confirmation.

For animal welfare advocates, the issue is about protecting horses. For carriage drivers, it is also about preserving a historic New York tradition and their livelihoods.