Our Companions
Our Central Park Carriage Horses
At NYC Royal Horse Carriage, our horses are the heart of everything we do. They are gentle, well-trained, and cared for with the highest standards of welfare and respect.
Our Family
Which Horses Pull Our Central Park Carriages?
Each of our horses has a unique personality. Here are some of the stars you may meet on your ride.
Duke
Percheron · 12 years
Gentle giant who loves photo ops. Duke is a guest favorite for romantic evening rides and has been with us since 2018.
Bella
Belgian Draft · 10 years
Calm and steady, Bella is perfect for families with young children. She responds gently to petting and enjoys apples as treats.
Charlie
Percheron Cross · 9 years
Energetic yet well-mannered, Charlie is known for his smooth trot and confident stride through busy Central Park paths.
Rosie
Belgian Draft · 11 years
The most decorated horse in our stable, Rosie has been part of over 5,000 carriage rides including hundreds of proposal tours.
Max
Percheron · 8 years
Our newest team member, Max joined us in 2022 from Lancaster County, PA. He is playful, curious, and quickly became a guest favorite.
Lady
Belgian Draft · 14 years
Our most experienced horse, Lady has been with NYC Royal Carriage since 2015. She knows every route through Central Park by heart.
All of our horses are licensed and regularly inspected in accordance with New York City regulations.
We treat our horses like family. Each one has a unique personality, and many of our guests enjoy meeting them, taking photos, and sharing a special moment together.
Transparency & Compliance
NYC Regulations for Carriage Horses
We maintain full compliance with every regulation governing carriage horses in New York City.
Health & Veterinary
What Health Standards Do Our Carriage Horses Meet?
Licensing & Registration
All of our carriage horses are fully registered with the NYC Department of Health before working. Licenses are renewed annually in accordance with city regulations.
Annual Veterinary Examination
Each horse undergoes a comprehensive annual physical examination by a New York State licensed veterinarian before registration.
This examination includes:
- Vaccinations (Tetanus, Eastern & Western Encephalitis, Rabies)
- Deworming treatment
- Fecal examination
- Coggins Test (Equine Infectious Anemia screening)
Biannual Veterinary Checkups
In addition to the required annual exam, our horses receive a second veterinary examination every 4–8 months to ensure ongoing health and fitness for work.
Living Conditions
Where Do NYC Carriage Horses Live and How Are They Cared For?
Mandatory Furlough (Vacation)
Every carriage horse receives a minimum of five weeks of vacation each year at an approved horse stable facility.
During this time, horses have:
- Daily paddock or pasture turnout
- Freedom to move and graze naturally
Proof of furlough is available to the Department of Health and/or ASPCA upon request.
Stable Standards
Our stables strictly comply with Article 135 of the NYC Health Code.
- Cleaned daily stalls (min. 4 ft × 10 ft, 9 ft ceilings)
- Minimum 3 inches of bedding
- Proper ventilation
- Winter temperatures maintained at 35°F or higher
- Constant access to fresh water and mineralized salt
- Hot water and operational bathroom facilities
- Full compliance with NYC Building and Fire Codes
Our facilities are safe, sanitary, and free of hazards to both horses and staff.
General Health & Hygiene
- Horses are kept clean at all times
- Maintained under a professional fly and parasite control program
- Equipment must be disinfected between horses
- Abuse of horses is strictly prohibited and subject to severe penalties under NYC law
Shoeing & Hoof Care
Hooves are trimmed and re-shod every 3–6 weeks (or sooner if necessary).
Improperly shod horses are not permitted to work.
Work & Safety
How Many Hours Can NYC Carriage Horses Work?
Work Hour Regulations
Under NYC regulations, carriage horses may not be outside of the stable for more than 9 hours within any 24-hour period.
This total time includes:
- ~30 min traveling from stable to Central Park
- Up to 8 hours of permitted work time
- ~30 min returning to the stable
This ensures that actual working time is strictly limited and carefully monitored. In addition:
- Horses must receive at least 15 min rest for every 2 hours worked
- Horses are offered water regularly throughout the day
- Horses are continuously observed for signs of fatigue
At NYC Royal Carriage, we carefully track daily schedules to ensure full compliance and prioritize the wellbeing of every horse.
Speed & Safety
Carriage horses are not permitted to travel faster than a trot.
Drivers are required to maintain full control and prioritize the safety and protection of the horse at all times.
Fitness to Work
The health of every horse is continuously monitored. Horses may be removed from service if found to be lame, sick, injured, fatigued, or otherwise unfit for duty.
Written veterinary clearance is required before returning to work.
What Happens to Carriage Horses in Extreme Weather?
At NYC Royal Carriage, we strictly follow New York City weather regulations designed to protect the health and safety of carriage horses.
Cold Weather Protection
- When temperatures approach 40°F, horses wear blankets at hack stands
- Blankets maintain body temperature and prevent muscle stiffness
- Horses are continuously monitored during cold conditions
Adverse Weather Conditions
Horses are returned to the stable immediately during:
Safety decisions are made conservatively and always prioritize the horse's wellbeing.
Real-Time Weather Suspension Alerts
Drivers receive official text message alerts from the NYPD and the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) when operations are suspended due to extreme heat/cold, high wet bulb temperatures, or severe weather conditions.
When a suspension is issued, horses are immediately returned to the stable. We strictly follow all official suspension notices without exception. The safety and wellbeing of our horses always comes first.
Oversight
Who Oversees NYC Carriage Horse Welfare?
Removal from Work
Horses may be removed from service by the NYC Health Department or ASPCA if they are found to be:
- Lame
- Sick
- Injured
- Showing signs of fatigue
- Otherwise unfit for duty
Veterinary Clearance
Before returning to work, the horse must:
- Be examined by a NY State licensed veterinarian
- Receive written medical clearance
- Be approved for work under NYC regulations
Failure to comply may result in fines or legal summonses.
Additional Compliance
Horses may also be returned to the stable for:
- Improper identification
- Expired registration
- Improper shoeing
- Any regulatory violation
NYC Royal Carriage maintains full compliance to ensure every horse working is healthy, legally registered, and properly equipped.
Experience It Yourself
Meet Our Horses in Person
Book a Central Park carriage ride and experience firsthand the gentle nature of our well-cared-for companions.
Ready to book your ride?
Call now for instant booking
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