Miller’s Horse Company is set to reintroduce horseback riding in Central Park, marking the first major return since the Claremont Riding Academy closed in 2007. The company plans to operate guided rides with small groups along the park’s Bridle Path, transporting horses from a private barn outside Manhattan. They emphasize horse welfare, promising careful management of work hours, regular veterinary care, and rest days, although they have not disclosed detailed safety plans or received official city Parks Department permission. This initiative comes amid growing activist pressure to ban horse carriage rides in the city, with critics arguing that urban environments like Manhattan are inherently unsuitable and cruel for horses.

Despite Miller’s assurances about responsible horsemanship, animal advocates remain skeptical, highlighting concerns about the welfare of horses in a busy city setting. The company states that riding horses will work fewer hours and receive more frequent breaks than carriage horses, with additional measures to monitor each horse’s condition daily. However, the project’s lack of transparency and the ongoing debate over the ethics of using horses in Central Park underscore the tension between tradition, tourism, and animal rights in New York City.