Ryder, the carriage horse that collapsed on a Manhattan street at the end of the summer, has died, according to a statement from the Transport Workers Union Local 100.
Ryder was recently humanely euthanized due to ongoing medical conditions and age, according to a press release from the union and officials from Equine Rescue Resource, Inc., The Sanctuary at Maple Hill Farms, Inc. and the Unbridled Heroes Project.
Ryder gained national attention after collapsing on the street on Aug. 10. He appeared to be overheated and police officers doused him with water before the horse eventually stood back up and returned to his stable.
The incident was recorded and posted to social media, sparking outcry for days from animal rights activists who said the horse appeared to be in poor health due to “long-term neglect.”
According to New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS), Ryder’s former owner, Ian McKeever, is currently under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for animal abuse.
The group also claimed that McKeever, along with his brother Colm, allegedly forged veterinary documents that changed Ryder’s age from 26 to 13.
After Ryder was transferred into the care of Cornell Equine Hospital, veterinarians determined his true age and he “was diagnosed with a variety of serious medical conditions that ultimately required him to be humanely euthanized.”
NYCLASS has planned a protest against horse-drawn carriages in New York City for noon at West 45th Street and Ninth Avenue on Tuesday.