The proposed “Ryder’s Law,” introduced by Councilman Robert Holden in 2024 to phase out horse-drawn carriages in Manhattan by 2026, faced a significant setback when the City Council’s health panel refused to advance the bill out of committee. The legislation, named after a carriage horse that collapsed in 2022, aimed to address concerns over the welfare of horses working in Central Park and the safety of park visitors. Despite renewed calls for a ban following another horse’s death and Mayor Eric Adams’ vocal support for ending carriage rides, several council members, including Jim Gennaro and Justin Brannan, criticized the bill as poorly conceived and advocated for compromise rather than outright prohibition.

The debate outside the council chambers was heated, with around 200 protesters on both sides, and the union representing carriage drivers strongly opposing the bill. The committee vote resulted in one affirmative, four negative votes, and two abstentions, effectively stalling the legislation. Mayor Adams condemned the council’s decision on social media, while Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani expressed skepticism about the industry but suggested further study through a panel. Holden vowed to protest the committee’s handling of the bill, accusing the process of being undemocratic after his request for a hearing was denied.