New York, New York – it’s a wonderful town, with its own set of traditions. One of these traditions has been getting a lot of publicity lately. A horse-drawn carriage ride along city streets delights some, but has distressed Glee star, Lea Michele, who has done a TV ad for PETA decrying the practice.
In the ad, Michele claims the horses are overworked and badly treated. However, fact checking with the Horse and Carriage Association of NYC, the group responsible for the oversight of the industry, reveals that the horses in NYC live in what most horse lovers would consider pretty good conditions. They have limited work days, and have a five week vacation every year where they are taken to the country.
The carriage horses of today without a doubt enjoy better treatment and living conditions of horses half a century ago, much less half a century before that.
Horse and Carriage Jewelry
Horse and carriage jewelry is actually pretty hard to find. We’ve got this great pin to tell you about, which has a little bit of history of its own!
Bridle rosettes were a once popular way to dress up your horse’s tack. Images are protected under glass domes, and backed with a sturdy brass panel. You’d slide your bridle through a loop on the back, and your horse would wear it, like jewelry. Usually a horse would wear a matched pair.
Today, many of these rosettes are seeing new life as pins. You can see the range of pins we have available here. At just under 2″ across, they’re the perfect size, and they were built to last. They’re a little heavy, so don’t plan on pinning these to your favorite silk blouse. On a blazer, denim jacket, or even on a bag, they look fabulous! Unique and equestrian-vintage, they’re a perfect gift for your favorite horsewoman — even if that’s you!
