07/09/2015
Please read
While the NYC carriage horse drivers and their supporters continue the fight to preserve the industry, we would like to remind everyone that this doesn’t end in NYC. Every animal industry is under attack by radical animal rights activists. We support all carriage horses which are well-cared for and encourage animal-people everywhere to stick together in this fight. Below is a piece written by Becky Faust-Roberts on the Metro East area of the Midwest‘s carriage horse industries, who are going through something we can relate to…
“On a sunny day in December of 2014 I went to Tilles Park in Ladue, MO. a suburb of St. Louis, MO. I wanted to photograph the Horse Drawn Carriages at their annual "Winter Wonderland" Christmas lights display. I have been an Equestrian for almost 50 years now, rider, trainer and owner. And I do love a Carriage ride. To many, nothing is as majestic, dignified, powerful and elegant as watching the Heavy Draft breeds pull Carriages on the City streets in the U.S.A. It is a part of our past and now our "living history" which is one of the few things that we can enjoy in this Century. It dates back to 150 years and beyond. St. Louis, MO. is one of those Cities in America where one can experience this National Treasure.
I felt happy, peaceful, and safe as I walked around watching the Drivers hooking up the Carriages to their horses. I introduced myself to Jerry Kirk, owner of Brookdale Farms in Eureka, MO who provides all of the Horses and Carriages for this Holiday Event. He was kind and welcoming. I took photos and then took a ride through the park when the sun went down. Jenny Farmer was my Driver. Her horse "Smokey", a black Percheron walked at a steady pace through the park pulling a Cinderella Carriage as we discussed horses, her love of being a Carriage Driver and enjoyed the lights and ambience of the Season and passed several other Carriages carrying passengers of families of all ages seemingly enjoying the same feelings as I was that evening.
If you take a walk through Historic Lacledes Landing in St. Louis, Missouri near the great Mississippi River during the months of March to early January, you will see many Carriages and Horses lined up along street. The Horses are decorated beautifully from head to sparkling hoof. The Drivers are dressed in full formal attire from tuxedos to Top hats and gloves. The exquisite Percherons, Belgians and Clydesdales are groomed and incredibly well taken care of. The Drivers are more than happy to tell you the history of Lacledes Landing as they drive you around Lacledes Landing. For even more enjoyment take longer ride down by the St. Louis Arch to what is known as the Riverfront and learn more about our history here in the Midwest and why St. Louis is known as the "Gateway to the West".
Brookdale Farms is an 102 acre facility where Kirk has a 16 stall beautifully structured brick barn. He owns 12 stalls in a barn in downtown St. Louis and employs 20-30 drivers. His average horse is 8 to 9 years old. Kirk owns 17 Percherons and 3 Belgians. Kirk provides rides in the ornate Cinderella Carriages and a Hotel Trolley which is driven by a team of horses which carries up to 25 passengers for Corporate events and parties. He is known for his charity benefits such as the "Make A Wish" Foundation, as well. He granted a wish to a five year old girl who suffered from Luekemia who's last wish was to go for a ride through Tilles Park during the Holiday Season. A week later, she passed away. Kirk also provides funeral services. Alicia Baker who is employed by Kirk has donated her time and driven two children to their final resting places in a Cinderella Carriages funeral processions following behind.
However, there has been a looming threat for the past 45 years by like minded individuals, radical animal activists and under educated politicians of a Ban on the Horse Carriage Industry in this area. In July of 2014 on Lacledes Landing in St. Louis, MO. the then Health Inspector, Pamela Rice Walker stated her claims regarding this issue.
Ms. Walker assumed that "Moose", a black Percheron owned by Jerry Kirk after just returning from a Carriage Ride as being "under duress". This was at 8:55p.m. His last ride was at 7:30p.m." She stated that, "after an hour and a half later he is still gasping for air. I poured a bucket of water on him". I do know a horse under duress when I see it" after stating that she's been a horse owner and trainer for over 25 years. Walker assumed Moose was having a heat stroke. "The temperature was 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 and working on the pavement makes it even hotter", she went on to say. Walker called Jerry Kirk and detained Moose for two and a half hours even after Kirk arrived on the scene. When Kirk arrived he was greeted by Walker, the Media, Officers of the St. Louis Police Department, a Veterinarian not specialized in Equine care and HSUS.
Kirk's response to Walkers' findings were as follows: "At no time was he having heat stroke. He was hydrated and comfortable upon my arrival. Horses with heat stroke do not continue to stand. This is an example of a person using her position to further her personal agenda. I know this because on five different occasions I asked for Moose to be brought to our barn. Four Police Officers were instructed to let neither one of our horses on the scene to leave. When I arrived, I knew Moose was fine. Walker stated that Moose had heat stroke but would not allow him to be removed so he could be cooled down or treated. "Obviously this was not about the horse's welfare", stated Kirk. The HSUS stated that Moose was fine, yet the Veterinarian did not respond nor comment. Ms. Walker reported that Moose suffered from COPD which can only be diagnosed by an ultrasound procedure. Walker's Veterinarian took Moose's temperature and then left.
Kirk took Moose to his farm in Eureka and after having two Equine Veterinarians complete exams, reported that Moose did not have COPD and gave Moose a "clean bill of health". Kirk told me that he has received several threats from animal activists groups and that he "won't even consider shutting down. Yet, I understand we are a visible target for misinformation and we are tasked with telling the true story." While it was announced on March 30th, 2015 that Ms. Walker has resigned from her position of seven years her actions will not be forgotten to the general public and STL Carriage Horse Industry.
A well known fact of Draft Horse History is that this breed is most suited for farm work and pulling Carriages. Percherons are the Carriage Horse of choice as they are the most graceful and docile and have the stamina to travel in a trot on an average of 35 miles per day. Shires, Belgians and Clydesdales are also used. As Jerry Kirk tells me, "the work of pulling a Carriage is nothing compared to these horses capacity for work". Each horse is groomed, the tack is cleaned and they are fed every night after work. One of the issues brought up in this controversy is daily turnout for these horses. Horses who get a 6-9 hour daily low impact of exercise do not need daily turnout. His horses stabled at the Downtown barn split time between each facility. Kirk has all vetting and farrier work done at his farm in Eureka. He loves showing the horses and explaining the history of the service. "We are entrusted in telling the story of the work horses and how they have built America."
This issue is due to perception and education or the lack there of. People do not know what a healthy comfortable work horse looks like. One of the issues has been, "why do these horses sweat so much?" Sweating cools horses down just as it does their human counterparts. Carriage Horses usually walk but do trot on occasion. The Activists' agenda is that it is felt that the horses are abused, kept in bo***ge and used for humans for our entertainment and profit. Yet in fact, it is the most benign horse activity we have today. The Carriage Horse is the Driver's partner and the bond is like no other between Driver and Horse.
Relentless fear was recently confirmed in Chicago, Illinois on February 6th, 2015. Jim and Valerie Rogers, owners of "Great Lakes Horse and Carriage" in Chicago were notified at approximately 2:30 a.m. that the building where they keep their Carriages had been set on fire at approximately 1:30a.m. The building is known as the Historic "Noble Horse Theatre". The fire was put out within 30 minutes. At the time the fire was started there were 2 people, 4 horses and 3 cats. The Rogers store their Carriages in this building built in 1871 as do two other Carriage Services. Along with Roger's carriages there were another 13 carriages completely destroyed in this fire. The carriages are now a total loss and worth $10,000.00 each. A year before this event that morning, the Rogers and two other Carriage Companies who use this building were sent a third of three threatening letters from someone who is a possible 'person of interest' and a Radical Animal Activist.
The Chicago Police Department ended their investigation and ruled this to be an "electrical fire". Had it not been for the insistence of Jim Rogers and his love for his horses and business, he contacted the FBI. It has now been determined that the fire as "Arson". The words, "FREEDOM" and "SAVE THE CARRIAGE HORSES" were spray painted on the outside walls in yellow paint. If the person or persons who did this are apprehended, they will be charged with "attempted murder". I asked Rogers how he felt about this issue. "I wish people would stop asking me this", he said. "I feel devastated and emotional. This is our supplemental income. My wife is a full time Nurse and we have a newborn baby boy." No one in this Industry is immune to these actions of these Activists from the wealthy, to the modest, to the Carriage Drivers who work for Carriage Companies or work as Gypsy Drivers and lease space for their horses and carriages per diem. This incident is still under FBI investigation and a $500,000.00 reward is being offered for anyone with information on the person or persons who were responsible for this at this time.
In the Carriage Horse Industry for the most part, there are no bowed tendons, pulled shoulders, nor do there hocks need to be injected as in other Equine Sports. How many other disciplines can you say this about? Carriage Services carry Accident Liability Insurance for their Carriages and Horses have been used for sport and work since the horse was first domesticated. It will not be long before the activists will be zooming in on Barrel racing, Showmen and Dressage events.
I spoke to several Carriage Drivers about what they love about the Industry and how a Ban would affect them personally and financially. Ashley Conway who has been a driver for three years told me, "these activists are spreading the word that these horses are over worked, blame the infrequent deaths on being overworked even if the horse passed due to natural causes." She has heard everything from they are "never fed, never cared for and never leave their stalls unless they are working." Conway stated that a Ban for her would mean leaving a decent paying full time job to being jobless and searching for another 8 hour shift type of employment. Conway has never once had an accident or even been close to feeling in danger or danger for her horse that she drives who's name is "Maverick". Maverick is a Belgian Draft and Conway says she knows he is happy to see her by the way he nickers and kicks out when he comes out of the stall or trailer wherever they are working. The most detrimental factor for the horses is that if not working, they would not be able to be afford to be kept and could be sold at auction. They also become depressed and loose muscle mass if given excessive breaks for weeks on end from not working."
Jenny Farmer states that "they have 'puppy dog' attitudes and a willingness to work." She drives the Percheron "Silver". She enjoys talking to passengers especially the tourists not from this area. Jerry Kirk pairs up drivers and their horse partners who are compatible with one another. All drivers keep water and extra halters on their carriage at all times. Safety is of the utmost importance. Farmer also states that in the summer they have water brought to them multiple times a day. All of the drivers use good judgment skills and will pass on a ride if in fact their horses seem to be sweating too much in the heat and need a break. She also says that the tack is cleaned daily to prevent saddle sores, the horses are bathed daily, stalls cleaned out daily and oil is applied to their hooves to reduce chipping. Steel flat shoes with borium are used for concrete work to lessen the opportunity of slipping. A little known fact to the uninformed individual is that the harnesses they use to pull a Carriage is less intrusive than a saddle.
The undereducated activist sees "chestnuts" as tumors. I have never ridden nor owned a horse who does not have chestnuts on their legs. One of the difficulties now of this Industry is taking passengers for a ride and having to pass activists holding signs saying that a horse should not work and that the driver is "cruel". Imagine being a parent of a young child riding in a Carriage and having to explain to your child the accusations shouted at the Drivers and their horse partners. Horses belonging to Brookdale Farms and Jerry Kirk will work five days in a week then be put on a two week break cycle. The months from January to March are considered "dead months" due to climate change. That stated, this Industry is a high cost and low profit Industry yet providing enjoyment to both passengers and Drivers.
Why do these Drivers work in this Industry? Simply stated, it is for the love of the Horse. The Wedding Season begins in May which makes use of the Cinderella Carriages. Tourists come to St. Louis in the summer months enjoying rides down by the Riverfront and Lacledes Landing.
The average age of the typical Carriage Driver is around 28 years old however there are some mature Drivers. Some are students. Most of them have "day jobs" and drive the Carriages during the evening hours or on weekends for a supplemental income. And some do drive the Carriages and work for Brookdale Farms and Jerry Kirk fulltime.
Alisha Blackwell who usually has "Moose" pull her Carriage states that she has worked for Kirk for ten years. I asked her if she ever felt in danger. Her response was, "Sometimes, from people passing by. I once had someone throw a half full Styrofoam cup at Moose who is considered "bomb proof" and he did not flinch. Cars and motorcycles can also be annoying, yet Moose never fails to keep a steady pace. I've also driven past Activists holding cruel signs. I just smile and keep on going." She said a ban would put quite a dent in her financial situation. While she does make a good living as a Wine Sales person by day, she depends on driving for Brookdale on the weekends. She enjoys her job so much and tells me "it's all about the horses, my interaction with them and how much relaxation I get from being around them and the passengers who ride with us. I love talking to them about the History of St. Louis."
Alicia Baker drove a Four Star General to nearby Scott Air Force Base in the Hotel Trolley for his retirement party. She and Maverick once drove passengers through a "White Castle" drive through for dinner. Several times she and "Scooby" have gone through Smoothie King for a healthy cookie for him and a smoothie for Alicia before their evening's work. Imagine the look on the employee working the drive up window's face seeing this majestic horse pull up to get waited on. I cannot help but smile as I write this.
Yet, due to the activists all of this charm, elegance and joy could be taken away from us. Social Media is flooded by sites such as "Ban All Equine Sports". The well informed and educated individual knows that horses in all disciplines are a sport. They love to work. All horses need a job to do. Our grandchildren and their grandchildren will not have the opportunity to enjoy what we have enjoyed from this Industry. An estimated two thousand or more jobs will be lost for humans and horses across our Country if a ban is set in place.
Horses enjoy the interaction with their Drivers and the staff who takes care of them. They love having their photos taken after a ride and in Weddings and parties or wherever they go. Parents and their toddlers love to pet these horses and the Drivers are more than willing to allow this within safe boundaries, of course. A Driver will always tell a passenger where to approach the horse from and where he loves stroked and petted. And if you're lucky, you just might get that rare kiss from a Carriage Horse or be able to kiss his soft nose.
It has been said that "it's only a problem if there is a solution". We can start by getting the word out to not only the Equestrian Community then move forward to tourists and the general public who enjoy Carriage Rides. This is a Nationwide issue. It is a growing issue that puts fear in the lives of the horses and the people who love them.
Individuals and animal activists have seen Carriage horses standing with one back leg c**ked and their head down. This is perceived as the horse is sick or sad, yet another uneducated myth. Ask any of the Carriage drivers and they will politely tell you, "It is what do you do when you are standing for long periods of time. You may c**k your hip and adjust your weight, correct? This is what this horse is doing right now. He is resting and content." The Drivers know their horses so well that they will tell you anything you wish to know if people will just simply ask to become informed. Come visit St. Louis, especially in the Spring and Summer months. It is beautiful, especially down by the Riverfront, the famous Arch and Lacledes Landing with all of the lights in the City in the evening. Listen to the Drivers who are happy to tell you about our History here in the area. Educate your fellow horse lovers or anyone else that may feel that The Carriage Horse Industry is an abusive way to treat horses.
Our Country as we know it at the present time is moving towards building more Industries as we approach our future. This is part of growth, and a part of the journey of life as we know it. It is exciting, true. And we seem to have lost the simple pleasures of our past when life was a little slower and technology had not taken over. Our Country was built along side of the Horse. Wherever you are in this Country, if you see a Horse Drawn Carriage please take a ride if you can. Listen to the calming "clip clop" of the horses' hooves as you ride along. Feel the light breeze, air and sunshine on your face. And when your ride is over, thank your Driver who most certainly will take you back to your original destination safely. And even more importantly, thank the Horse as it is he who has made your trip the most enjoyable. He will show you his gratitude as it is he who wishes to continue his journey of life as one of our greatest and most noble traditions, "The Carriage Horse".”
