Horse Died Needlessly
To The Editor:

It was most upsetting to see the picture in this Saturday's Daily News of Smoothie, the carriage horse, lying fatally injured on a Manhattan street, after being panicked by the sound of a snare drum being used by a break dancing group.

Why can't people realize that loud noises can and do frighten horses and other animals? You would think that common sense would prevail, but half the world has its brains in its backside.

People today don't use good judgment in many situations. Also, it is time for all horse and carriage businesses to stop! Horses are beautiful creatures, and God did not put them on this planet to be abused. Instead of riding in carriages people should use their two legs and walk around Central Park. I am sure that the exercise would not hurt them. Also, [if] the drivers of those two carriages were there, maybe they could have calmed down those beautiful animals.

My heart goes out to the driver of Smoothie- I am sorry for your tragic loss. I am glad that the other horse was okay. God put all life on this earth for a purpose and mistreating anyone or any animal is not ever the right thing to do. People and animals have a right to live without fear of being harmed or abused in any way.

Let's start right now by banning the horse and carriage industry from the streets of New York! John Amato Fresh Meadows