Tourists visiting the Big Apple will be tooling around Central Park in horse-drawn carriages for years to come, after New York City officials reached a deal that allows some carriage operators to stick around, and will mean a new stable for the four-legged workers.

Instead of doing away with the carriage industry entirely, which Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to do on “day one” of his administration, the city said it has made an agreement that reduces the number of licensed horses from around 180 to 110 by Dec. 1, 2016, and will mean a new in-park stable for the animals. The plan still needs to be approved by the city council.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement in concept on the future of New York’s horse carriage industry,” de Blasio’s office said in a statement, via ABC 7. “We look forward to working together on the final details of this legislation and getting this passed.”

The horses live in private stables on Manhattan’s West Side at the moment. Animal rights advocates have been trying to get carriages banned completely, calling it inhumane for them to live in the crowded city full of cars.

The number of licensed horses will fall even more to about 95 by Oct. 1, 2018, when their new permanent home in Central Park is expected to be complete. The deal means horses will be limited to traveling to and from their existing stables to Central Park starting June 1. When their new home is ready, they’ll only be allowed to work within the park.

“Working out the logistics of this agreement will be key in reaching an outcome that is suitable to all parties involved,” Council members Ydanis Rodriguez and Daniel Dromm said in a statement Sunday.
New York City Reaches Agreement On Horse Carriage Deal [ABC 7]

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