"There are enough New Yorkers who can’t watch horses suffer"—Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary backs better treatment

If you've ever strolled through Central Park, chances are you've seen them—the majestic horses pulling vintage carriages. Their hooves clip-clop on the pavement while tourists take photos and couples enjoy a romantic ride. It looks like something from a classic movie, but behind the charm is a serious debate.

Kevin O’Leary, the Shark Tank star, sees the bigger picture. He doesn’t just talk about saving the horses; he talks about saving the people. “You can’t just yank the horses out of Central Park and call it a win,” he says. And he’s right. Many of these drivers don’t have a backup plan. If the industry vanishes overnight, what happens to them? Without another way to make a living, they could be left struggling. O’Leary calls them “legends in their city,” and even law enforcement supports them. If we’re going to move forward, we can’t just toss these people aside.

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Why Shark Tank investor says that banning isn't a simple solution?

At first glance, banning horse-drawn carriages might seem like a quick fix—no more horses, no more controversy. But real life isn’t that simple. These horses aren’t wild animals taken from the forest. They’ve been bred and trained for this work. If they’re suddenly removed, they don’t get sent to some peaceful green pasture. In reality, they could end up in much worse conditions—sold to shady buyers or even sent to slaughter auctions.

Unlike other industries where animals are often neglected, Central Park’s carriage horses are already closely monitored. They have regulations in place to ensure they’re well cared for. Kevin O’Leary, always the straight shooter on Shark Tank, doesn’t ignore the concerns of activists but asks a fair question:

“There has to be a middle ground.”

Instead of shutting everything down, why not improve the system? Better stables, stricter health checkups, and reduced working hours in extreme weather—these are practical ways to ensure better treatment without destroying an entire profession.

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Can we find a middle ground?

Let’s think outside the box—something Shark Tank investors like O’Leary do best. Instead of wiping out an industry, why not innovate? Imagine high-tech stables, top-tier veterinary care, and regulations that make sure these horses have the best lives possible. Rather than banning the carriages, why not make them a symbol of ethical tourism?

And if the city insists on phasing out horse-drawn carriages, they need to provide solutions for the drivers, too. They can’t just leave them jobless. Some have proposed electric carriages as an alternative—keeping the charm but ditching the horses. O’Leary, always looking for business-savvy solutions on Shark Tank, has suggested that New York explore creative ways to keep the tradition alive while ensuring fairness for both the animals and the people.

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The bigger picture: What does this say about urban evolution?

New York is a city that never stands still. It went from horse-drawn trolleys to subways, from handwritten letters to instant messaging. But while progress is necessary, it doesn’t have to erase history. The debate over Central Park’s carriage horses isn’t just about animals—it’s about how we evolve as a city.

Kevin O’Leary’s take on this issue is a lesson in smart decision-making. Shark Tank fans know that great business minds don’t just destroy something without having a better plan in place. Change should be strategic, not reckless. Instead of scrapping a beloved tradition, why not refine it?

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The takeaway: Thoughtful change over instant decisions

Quick fixes often create more problems than they solve. The real goal shouldn’t be just getting rid of the horses—it should be ensuring a future where both animals and humans are treated with respect. If we want true progress, it has to be thoughtful, structured, and fair.

So, before we celebrate a ban as a victory, let’s ask: is it really a win? Because in a city like New York, there’s always more to the story. As Shark Tank mogul Kevin O’Leary put it:

“There are enough New Yorkers who can’t watch horses suffer, and I kind of agree with them. But there has to be a way to do this that actually works—for the horses and their owners.”