At 08:38:04 on 11.12.10, Flicka wrote:
Joanna Lumley has added her voice to a group of people asking that the horse-drawn carriages which are part of the scenery of Central Park in New York are banned. As an animal rights supporter she believes the horses shouldn't have to work in freezing or boiling temperatures and live in cramped city stables. The animal friendly alternative she suggests is a Great Gatsby era car. Do you agree with her?

At 13:19:35 on 11.12.10, bmc06239 wrote:
Horses have been in New York since it's founding, America is becoming the land of the mommy state instead of the land of the free. Joanna Lumley needs to find a tree and hug it!

At 15:06:53 on 11.12.10, bee20 wrote:
When I saw them in New York this Summer, they did seem to be healthy and well looked after unlike the poor horses I saw in Cairo at the pyramids. Joanne Lumley should perhaps focus her attention on these horses, no matter how much I tried to prepare myself I found it very upsetting. What about the Police horses in London, they live in city stables and have to stand around for hours and are subjected to abuse from rioting crowds. Should they be banned as well ?

At 16:53:29 on 11.12.10, BandEsupermom wrote:
They ban horse drawn carriages, and what's next? They go after pleasure riders? Or anyone who owns a horse at all? Animal rights groups often take things way too far and spout their moths off before checking their facts. My second point, people have to work in hot and cold environments, and work and live in crouded cities, are we then to assume that Joanna Lumly thinks that horses should have more rights than people? Yes, I prefer the company of my horses to some people I have met, but they are not delicate, frail creatures. I am certain that in extreeme temperatures, the carriage drivers do not take their horses out! My third point is that horses are most often creatures of habit. They do something often enough, they start to love it! I don't think that this woman has spent much time around these animals or she would see for herself how they are treated. There's my 2 cents on the issue. Beware these animal rights nuts, they could come after you next!

At 22:23:17 on 11.12.10, dixierider wrote:
I am in agreement. What the tree huggers do not realize is these horses are VERY well taken care of. They rotate in and out of the city. I personally know the owners of several carriage companies up in New York and these are good, horses loving people who are in it to show the beauty of their amazing city. AND if you ever go there- go to Central Park and rent a horse for the afternoon. It is one of the most BEAUTIFUL places to hack year round!!! On another note- we have the same tree huggers in Florida that harp on the carriage horses of St. Augustine- the oldest city in the U.S. These horses have been doing that for almost 600 years.

At 23:48:45 on 11.12.10, kibby wrote:
No they shouldnt. And what would happen to all these lovely horses if they did ban them. This is the last remaining true work for these heavy horses.

At 23:01:05 on 12.12.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
i remember we wer on our holidays down in bantry co.cork (where we go every year) when there was all the hullabalooo about the horse and carriages in the killarney national park. although theirs was about their droppings polluting the place! i was shocked but the people got what they want the poor horses have a big sack behind then catching poo and, for mares, pee. an you see them with their tails in it aswell, its nasty. i think its lovely to keep a tradition going :) and lets face it for alot of people their horses have to earn their keep, c'est la vie!

At 19:40:43 on 14.12.10, Pat Wooldridge wrote:
No. Why in the world should they be? Before someone decides such a thing they ought to find out firsthand how things work. Then, in this case, they would need to experience Central Park as a carriage horse. Not just one horse, but several, each with a different owner. Since there's obviously no way we can do that, why not decide to enjoy the sight of the horses and carriages and know that the majority of horse&carriage owners are conscientious and caring of their animals. These folks know enough to protect their horses from the elements, give them enough water on a hot day, don't work them too hard, etc. Horses are hardy animals. When working is a habit with them, they welcome it. It isn't a hardship. They don't have the "live for the weekend" mentality, but take each day as it comes. And plenty of folks who own these horses, tie up their tails so they are up out of the way of The Big Sack that catches the poo and all. So, no problem there either.

At 12:13:33 on 15.12.10, Flicka wrote:
Very envious of Dixierider getting to hack round Central Park-I stayed in New York for a few months and only got to walk round it on my own two trotters but absolutely loved it and I don't think I ever looked at the horses pulling the carriages and thought there was anything cruel about it. I heartily agree with most of the replies that have been written here-sense at last!! Obviously a horse being kept in a stable for most of the time isn't ideal but I bet with this bad weather a lot of livery yards haven't allowed horses to be turned out and what about a lot of top competition animals. I feel we should send our thoughts on to Ms Lumley. I'm sure she means well but is just misguided and it might make her re-think her stance. 'll probably regret saying this but it's a bit like vegetarianism-I wonder what vegetarians think will happen to all the animals if no one eats them any more? But eating less and better quality meat through more humane farming methods is definitely something I believe in.

At 12:28:32 on 15.12.10, YasandCrystal wrote:
she should stick to helping the Gurkhas - although that campaign backfired on her with the poor Gurkhas living in poverty here in the UK - had they been awarded a British prnsion in their own country they could afford an acceptable standard of living. I just so dislike rich do-gooders - they are so out of touch. Like Dire Straits lead singer son disrespecting the cenotaph in the student riots - like he will EVER have a problem with money and student loans???!!!!