Could Carriage Rides End?

(AP) - New York's governor is taking on the 150-year-old tradition of horse-drawn carriage rides in Manhattan's Central Park.

Gov. David Paterson says the horses need to be treated better or the popular tourist rides should be banned.

His recent comment before an animal activist group drew praise from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Paterson's spokeswoman says the governor is seeking "more humane treatment of horses."

Horsemen have their own high-profile fans, including Irish actor Liam Neeson and others who testified for them at a recent hearing about how well the horses are treated and how important the service is to the city.

The romantic rides in ornate Hansom carriages have graced Central Park since the 19th century, drawing 800,000 customers a year. They have been featured in tourism ads and in countless movies and TV shows.

There are 225 horses hauling 68 carriages in and around Central Park.