By Brittany Edward and Kaitlyn Mayrose
Buffalo Review West Reporters
A horse and
buggy was a common source of transportation until the early 20th century
and since then, has turned into a tourist attraction.
Horse and carriage rides became a controversial subject circa
2013. Images and videos of horses collapsing in Central Park, New York had
surfaced the web and angered civilians. Since then, many people have been very
vocal regarding their disapproval of carriage rides.
Opponents say
that horses are not meant to be used as a means of transportation in the New York
City urban setting. However, the environment in Buffalo differs greatly from
New York City.
The Hotel Henry
Urban Resort Conference Center, 444 Forest Ave., offers carriage rides every
other Sunday until April 28. There was a waitlist in February for the carriages,
which showed the popularity of the rides in Buffalo.
Hotel Henry has
collaborated with Banner Farm WNY in Perrysburg for the carriage rides. These
rides generate revenue for the coachmen to provide everything necessary that is
needed to take care of their horses.
“Our collaboration with Banner Farm puts money towards
feeding and caring for the horses, as well as supporting the horses’ mental and
physical stimulation,” Jessica Mancini, digital marketing manager at Hotel
Henry, said.
The carriage
rides at Hotel Henry have been popular. The people who work with horses, and are educated
on the proper needs horses require, are happy to see a local company supporting a local
farm.
Although the
carriage rides have been popular, the
hotel has received some negative comments about the concerns of animal abuse.
However, Hotel Henry and Banner Farm take these comments as an opportunity to
educate people on the topic.
“We respond saying, ‘We understand your concerns. These
horses are very well fed and taken care of, and are in no way being abused’,”
Mancini said.
Banner Farm WNY Coachman Jonny O’Loughlin:
The horses used
to pull carriages are referred to as Clydesdales. These horses are actually
bred to work, and if they do not work their bodies could potentially suffer
mentally and physically.
“It wasn't that
long ago that horses were the main mode of transportation, moved goods, and
were inextricably linked to people's lives,” Erika Abbondanzieri, owner of
Banner Farm, said.
The farm does
not only take care of horses that pull carriages, but it is also home to a few
retired racehorses, a rescued wild-caught mustang and a pony that came from a
neglectful home.
Banner Farm has
120-acres of farmland for the horses to live on. The horses have 24/7 access to
a large pasture, fresh water, shelter and hay.
“Every six
weeks they go to the farrier to have their hooves trimmed or their shoes reset,
and when horses need it, we have the chiropractor out to be sure they are in
tip-top shape,” Abbondanzieri said.
The Buffalo
area is not as familiar with carriage rides as New York City is. In Central
Park, carriages line up waiting to give pedestrians a ride around the city, among the busy traffic
within the urban area. The scene is different in Buffalo, which is the reason
why horse-drawn carriage rides are not seen as a top priority with the SPCA
Serving Erie County.
The SPCA faced a
few issues regarding horse-drawn carriage rides and abuse back in 1867, which
took part in the creation of the organization. However, since horse-drawn
carriages have made a fresh comeback to the Buffalo area, the SPCA does not
have much experience dealing with this controversial issue.
The SPCA’s mission is to create a “caring and
kind community that encourages fair and humane treatment of all creatures.”
“If we receive a report on local carriage horses being mistreated
and abused, it will be investigated without question,” Gina Browning, SPCA chief
communications officer, said.
