New York Has a New Mayor—and He Wants to Free Central Park’s Horses

New York City's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has pledged to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, a tradition that dates back to the city's colonial era. Mamdani's decision has been met with support from activists, celebrities like Kim Petras, and politicians, who have long advocated for an end to the practice due to concerns about the welfare of the horses. The failed introduction of Ryder's Law in 2024 aimed to prohibit horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by 2026, but Mamdani's recent commitment has brought renewed hope to advocates that a ban may finally be within reach.

Animal rights nonprofit NYCLASS has been at the forefront of the movement to end horse-drawn carriages in New York City, citing concerns about the industry being outdated, dangerous, and inhumane for the horses involved. While incremental progress has been made, such as the Carriage Horse Heat Relief Bill in 2019, the executive order issued by former mayor Eric Adams for horse inspections, and ongoing campaigning for a hearing on Ryder's Law, the support of Mayor Mamdani has sparked optimism that carriage horses may soon be a thing of the past in the city.