Ian McKeever, a New York City carriage horse handler, was found not guilty in his animal abuse trial following the collapse of a horse named Ryder in Hell’s Kitchen during summer 2022. McKeever, who has worked with horses for 40 years, denied overdriving or abusing Ryder, testifying that the horse fell while changing lanes and that he was unaware of Ryder’s underlying cancer and leukemia, which were later confirmed by a necropsy. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before acquitting McKeever, who expressed relief and emphasized his lifelong commitment to horse care.

The case sparked debate over the carriage horse industry, with animal rights activists criticizing the verdict and calling for reforms such as “Ryder’s Law” to phase out the industry. Meanwhile, the carriage drivers’ union highlighted improvements in horse care and oversight since the incident. The Manhattan district attorney’s office urged the public to report animal abuse, while the trial focused solely on McKeever’s actions during the specific incident, not the industry as a whole.