New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriage rides are set to end by June 2028 after the City Council passed legislation to phase out the long-standing attraction.

The council approved Romanch’s Law, previously known as Ryder’s Law, on Thursday, October 22, marking a major development in the decades-long debate over the use of carriage horses in the city. The measure is expected to take effect on June 1, 2028, once the legislative process is complete.

A spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that the administration plans to move forward with the bill. Sneha Choudhary said the mayor would sign the legislation and that his administration was working to provide strong protections for the owners and workers affected by the change.

The law includes a two-year transition period intended to ensure the humane retirement and placement of the city’s carriage horses. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) welcomed the measure, describing the transition as an opportunity to protect the animals while addressing the future of the industry’s workers.

Horse-drawn carriages have been part of New York City’s history since 1858, eventually becoming a familiar sight around Central Park. However, animal welfare organizations have long argued that the practice exposes horses to unnecessary risks, particularly when they must navigate busy streets, traffic and noise.

“Horse-drawn carriages have been part of New York City’s history since before cars, but our city has changed drastically,” said Lynn Schulman, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Health, in the council’s announcement.

The legislation gained renewed momentum following two deaths in June 2026.

On June 17, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan died after suffering injuries when he fell from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. That same month, a 16-year-old carriage horse collapsed and died while pulling passengers through the park. Both incidents intensified calls to end the attraction.

Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA, argued that the risks of making horses pull carriages through New York’s crowded streets were inherent to the practice and could affect the animals’ quality of life.

He described the passage of Romanch’s Law as a significant step after decades of debate, repeated accidents and incremental reforms. Bershadker said the legislation offered a lasting approach that would protect horses, support workers and reflect the priorities of a modern city. He also praised council members for passing the measure and expressed hope that Mamdani would sign it.

Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals, also celebrated the vote as a historic milestone for animal welfare. She argued that preserving a tradition should not come at the expense of risks to animals and people, emphasizing that horses have needs and instincts beyond their symbolic place in the city’s history.

Although the City Council has approved the bill, the mayor’s formal decision remains an important step. According to Block, Mamdani has 30 days to sign the legislation, veto it or allow it to become law without taking action.

If the measure takes effect as planned, the familiar horse-drawn carriages of Central Park will have a defined end date, closing a chapter of New York City’s history while giving operators time to prepare for the transition.

Source: Compiled from various sources.