Central Park Horse's Death Polarizes Drivers, Animal Rights Group

CENTRAL PARK, NY — The Central Park carriage horse whose collapse and eventual death last year stunned onlookers and triggered protests suffered from a genetic condition, according to an autopsy released Sunday — but union leaders and animal rights advocates disagree about what that means.

Aysha, a 10-year-old horse, collapsed near the park's southeast corner on Feb. 29, 2020. Footage showing the horse stumbling and falling while being dragged by workers sparked accusations of neglect and a pledge by Mayor Bill de Blasio that police would investigate.

One year later, however, the autopsy shows that Aysha had been "in good condition, no evidence of struggle, no marks, no fractures, and no injuries consistent with abuse or mishandling," according to Dr. Camilo B. Sierra, a veterinarian who conducted a post-mortem examination for the city's health department.

Instead, Aysha suffered from PSSM, a muscular disease that makes it harder for horses to convert food into energy.

"Autopsy reveals #NYC #carriagehorse #Aysha was killed by industry-wide neglect + preventable disease enabled by @nycHealthy like so many other #carriagehorses. NY Veterinarian + NYCLASS call on @NYCCouncil to BAN the abuse. PROTEST March 1"~@nyclasshttps://t.co/jX4DVjj89Q pic.twitter.com/N62A55PJEA
— Pauline Park (@paulinepark) February 26, 2021

The findings were hailed by the Transport Workers Union, which represents the city's carriage drivers, and whose spokesperson called it proof that "the carriage horses are being properly cared for."

The animal rights group NYCLASS, however, claimed Sunday that Aysha's death could have been prevented by a genetic test that would have detected the common ailment.

The group planned a protest Monday afternoon near where the horse collapsed last year, calling on the City Council to "ban horse carriage abuse."

Carriage horses have been a hot-button issue in city politics for years. De Blasio pledged to ban the carriages during his 2013 campaign for mayor, but has instead only moved the spot where carriage drivers pick up passengers.