another carriage standardbred dies in central park

[Hambletonian46]

Not sure that is the right metric. There are very few retired racehorses that won't need substantial vet care in their retirement years to keep them comfortable, and so while retiring them out in a field man lengthen their lifespan a bit, is it really humane? And let's face it, racehorses are used to living indoors and not roughing it.

[SDST2009]

Not sure that is the right metric. There are very few retired racehorses that won't need substantial vet care in their retirement years to keep them comfortable, and so while retiring them out in a field man lengthen their lifespan a bit, is it really humane? And let's face it, racehorses are used to living indoors and not roughing it.

I do not agree with this. I would say most retired (standardbred) racehorses do not need extensive vet care after their race careers. Or, at least not more than the average horse. These things are pretty hardy. I've got 3 racehorses-turned-Amish cars, one certainly road foundered and is approaching 30 and just an average horse. Another half that age ridden regularly, easy keeper. The worst of the three (soundness/health wise) actually never raced and instead spent her time as a broodmare for some big farms but didn't produce so did come from the Amish, ultimately. Just because they aren't sound or talented enough to race doesn't mean they need extensive vet care upon retirement.

Also, keep in mind the majority of these things are raised on breeding farms where they spend a large majority of their first years outside, and the broodmares near 24/7. Sure, they enjoy a stall in the hot summer days and freezing winter nights, but they are far from frail.

[The Answer]

I don’t know if this horse was abused or not but jumping to conclusions is wrong. How many people die at work each year without being abused and nothing is said?

[Jctoronto]

NYPOST take
https://nypost.com/2025/08/08/us-news/cause-of-death-revealed-for-nyc-carriage-horse-lady-who-died-on-street-this-week/

[Mr.Turnpike]

  I don’t know about horse abuse but the barns is way than you would find on the backside of the track

[Harness Racing Revolution]

Would you take your horse whose seen nothing but green for 15 years then leave it in this situation to work for 47 weeks straight? Remember, just a 10x12 box stall two stories off the street with no windows. 10 hours a day in harness. Not a blade of grass or second in a field. Maybe it's just me, but I sure as shit wouldn't. Remember how we care for ours, and remember these horses come from farms to thrown on the streets of Manhattan. Stressed to the max. Yes it happens, but the way those horses exist in NYC is WRONG. Would you give your horse to a trainer who has never touched a horse before? Would you give your horse to a trainer who hires only grooms who have never touched a horse before? Would you leave your horse with people who become furious when someone points out their horse is lame, then refuses to diagnose and treat the issues? This is what over 90% of these people in those three stables are. The stable manager who invited me into that "stable" to talk said he has over 4 decades experience, started in Ireland where he's from. He had NO FUCKING IDEA the mare was dead while he was trying to give her water laying on the street, not clue how to take vitals. We would never do it to one of our own.

[richesskid]

I have 6 retirees age 20-26. It costs me roughly 2000 a month for bare essentials.. hay,grain,bedding, supplements. They are barefoot and trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This doesn't account for ANY vet work that may be needed ..

[Harness Racing Revolution]

I have 6 retirees age 20-26. It costs me roughly 2000 a month for bare essentials.. hay,grain,bedding, supplements. They are barefoot and trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This doesn't account for ANY vet work that may be needed ..

That's right because most farms if you can find them for rough turn out is usually around 300 a month. But being realistic, there's no way to home or care for the amount of horses there are in need, we're only talking about what this game creates. Those pens are filled with everything of every breed from foals to elder. But when I see these horses "specifically Standardbreds" in Manhattan, I've come to the conclusion they would be better off put down. It's torture for them or any horse.

[Open bridle]

They need to tie these owners to the back of these carriages and make them walk around central park all day in the heat also.

[dougie]

Open bridle.....great idea!