Cover for the film, Blinders.

Blinders

50m

NR

2007

Last Updated: 24 July 2021Published On: 28 March 2015

Blinders take viewers behind the scenes of the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry to expose the truth behind the tradition.

Cover for the film, Blinders.

Blinders

50m

NR

2007

Last Updated: 24 July 2021Published On: 28 March 2015

Blinders take viewers behind the scenes of the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry to expose the truth behind the tradition.

Cover for the film, Blinders.

Blinders

50m

NR

2007

Last Updated: 24 July 2021Published On: 28 March 2015

Blinders take viewers behind the scenes of the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry to expose the truth behind the tradition.

NOTES FROM THE FILMMAKERS

Synopsis

Blinders takes a critical look at the Horse-Drawn Carriage industry. Throughout the year, tourists from around the world travel to Central Park to ride in one of New York’s famous horse-drawn carriages. Yet the future of this industry is the subject of a highly charged debate being aired on the streets, in the press and at City Hall.

Carriage operators say that horse-drawn carriages should stay because they are a cherished symbol of New York City that bring in tourist dollars. Animal rights activists say the industry should be banned because it’s inhumane and unsafe. They believe Hollywood has romanticized horse-drawn carriages and claim that life on congested city streets is anything but romantic for nervous, prey animals.

As a result of three fatal accidents since 2006 and a bill introduced at City Hall to ban horse-drawn carriages from NYC, the plight of the NYC carriage horses is now in the public eye more than ever before. But the public doesn’t know much more than what they see on the streets and in the news.

Through original footage was taken with hidden cameras and interviews with carriage drivers, veterinarians, accident witnesses, animal rights activists, politicians, tourists, residents who live near the horses and people who have rescued NYC carriage horses from slaughter, Blinders takes viewers behind the scenes to expose the truth behind the tradition.

Warning: Graphic Content

Blinders depict scenes where animals have been hurt by cars which may be disturbing to some viewers. Please proceed with caution and awareness.

About the Filmmakers

Blinders was produced by McMoss Productions and directed by Donny Moss. Find out more about the film at blindersthemovie.com.

Critic Reviews

“Moss has carefully structured the chapters in a manner that initially invites the audience into the unbridled joy of moving about the famous park in a mode of transportation that goes back centuries, then gradually peels back the layers of hurt (the graphics of the animal/auto collisions are not for the squeamish), anxiety (the normal trait of nervousness is hugely exacerbated by the sudden sounds, odours and flashing lights that pummel the pathetic creatures every block of their way) and dismal living conditions (incredibly, many of the stables are high rise “apartments” where a twice-daily trek up and down a ramp is the only way of gaining access to the squalid quarters—surrounded by hay, one match would burn the tenants to death before any alarm would be responded to).” – S. James Wegg. JWR Articles. An Astonishing Tradition of Cruelty. 30 March 2009

Official Trailer

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