New York is preparing to say goodbye to horse-drawn carriages
Protests by animal rights activists and a number of serious incidents that have occurred recently have been decisive
2' min read
2' min read
After 165 years of history and having become one of New York’s iconic symbols – immortalised in some of the most famous films set in the Big Apple – horse-drawn carriages could soon be replaced by electric vehicles.
For over a century, they have been the symbol of New York at its most romantic. The horse-drawn carriages that traverse Central Park have provided the backdrop to some of cinema’s most iconic scenes, from “When Harry Met Sally” to “Mum, I’ve Missed the Plane: I’ve Got Lost in New York”, helping to shape the image of the American city in the collective imagination. Now, however, that 165-year-old tradition may be drawing to a close.
For years, there has been a heated debate in New York over tourist horse-drawn carriages. On the one hand, there are those in the industry, who regard them as a historic and distinctive feature of the city. On the other are animal welfare organisations, which have long been calling for their abolition, arguing that horses should not be made to work in city traffic – not only for their own welfare but also for that of the tourists on board.
The latest incidents of 2026
The debate was reignited by the serious accident that took place on 17 June in Central Park. An 18-year-old tourist, visiting New York with his parents and younger brother, died after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage that overturned. The horse suddenly bolted, running out of control until it collided with another carriage, causing two other people to fall as well.
According to reports, the accident was caused by the coachman’s negligence, as he is said to have stepped away from the carriage to take a photograph of the family on board. Following the incident, the horse, named Sampson, was retired after just six weeks of service, whilst the driver was suspended.
The incident came just a few days after the death of Deniz, another horse employed in Central Park’s horse-drawn carriage service, which died after ingesting a poisonous plant.
For these reasons, too, the Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, has spoken out in favour of abolishing horse-drawn carriages and has stated his intention to work towards a transition that protects both workers in the sector and animal welfare.
