Schulman questions on driver training course content and inherent risks
Schulman asks about driver training on spooking responses, course curriculum development, and whether DOHMH believes inherent risks exist that training cannot address. Schiff describes the course components; Ortiz notes inherent urban challenges.
Okay, DOHMH administers the horse-drawn carriage operators course, which includes testing for safe driving practices.
Horses can become startled by bicycles, scooters, vehicles, and other unexpected activity.
What training do drivers receive on responding to a horse that becomes frightened of bolts?
Is that response tested as part of the driver training?
So the course that we administer as a prerequisite for the DCWP license includes information about horse behavior and maintaining control of the horse.
And as I noted, it also includes training that it is prohibited under the administrative code to leave a horse.
unattended.
And there is a written component, a classroom component to the exam, and the aspiring driver has to pass a test at the end of the classroom component.
And then there is a practical component with a horse and our equine veterinarian, where that is the opportunity for the aspiring driver to demonstrate that they are able to
manage the horse properly.
Okay, does DOHMH believe there are any inherent risks that cannot be addressed through DOHMH's carriage operators training course?
I will say that the course is designed to be comprehensive, to teach the aspiring driver about horse
anatomy, to look for signs of
of illness and other issues and to address, to cover the health and safety requirements of the multiple city agencies.
I would add to that, Chair, that echoing the testimony that was submitted by the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare,
that there seem to be inherent challenges with operating horse-drawn carriages in New York City in a busy urban environment in situations where we have exacerbated weather situations now because of climate change.
I think these do pose inherent challenges to the industry that is a part of this conversation.
Thank you.
During the fatal incident in June, the driver stepped away from the carriage.
We understand that this goes against safety protocols and violates DOT rules, which require the driver to hold the reins at all times.
Are these safety protocols identified in the horse-drawn carriage operator's course?