Horses have been part of the fabric of New York City for centuries. First brought to the city by European colonial settlers, they were once essential for everything from transportation to delivery services to firefighting. Today, cars and trucks perform all of these functions. But horses still walk the streets of New York—now largely pulling carriages full of tourists in and around Central Park.
Many people believe it’s time for that tradition to end. New mayor Zohran Mamdani is among them. Even before he was elected in November 2025, Mamdani expressed support for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in the city. Just before officially taking office in December, he doubled down on that position. “I support removing horse carriages from Central Park,” he said. “I intend to deliver on that.”
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German singer-songwriter Kim Petras is also on board with Mamdani’s mission and has even promised to privately send the new mayor a copy of her new album if he manages to get horse carriages banned from Central Park. While the offer may seem unusual, it has context: it followed Mamdani’s revelation to Interview Magazine in December that he’s a fan of Petras’ music (he also likes Madonna and Lil Wayne, for the record).
Mamdani and Petras are far from alone. Activists, celebrities (including Billie Eilish, Joaquin Phoenix, and Bella Hadid), and politicians have been pushing to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City for years.
The ongoing campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City
In 2024, Council Member Robert Holden of District 30 introduced Ryder’s Law. The proposed legislation—named after Ryder, a horse who collapsed in Manhattan in 2022—aimed to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 2026. Ultimately, the bill stalled and failed in committee in November 2025.
Still, Mamdani’s pledge has renewed hope among advocates that a ban could finally be within reach. “We absolutely expect Mayor-elect Mamdani to keep his promise,” Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS), told CBS News.
NYCLASS is an animal rights nonprofit dedicated to ending the use of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The organization argues that the industry is outdated, dangerous, and inhumane, alleging that horses are overworked, denied adequate veterinary care, and confined to small, unsanitary stalls when they are not working.
NYCLASS
In 2019, NYCLASS successfully backed the Carriage Horse Heat Relief Bill, which effectively prohibits drivers from forcing carriage horses to work in high summer temperatures.
While Ryder’s Law failed to advance, the movement has made incremental progress in recent months. Before leaving office, former mayor Eric Adams issued an executive order requiring all carriage horses to be inspected by a city-approved veterinarian.
Now, NYCLASS is campaigning for a hearing on Ryder’s Law. With a newly elected mayor publicly committed to ending the practice, advocates believe New York City may finally be on the verge of leaving carriage horses in the past.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
