After petting a carriage horse in New York's Central Park at the age of five, Alexus Lawson was hooked.

She has driven a carriage in Manhattan's most famous park, pulled by her horse, for six years. But since Lawson heard about the city's vote this week to outlaw the carriages over animal and public-safety concerns, she has been worried.

"What am I supposed to do with my horse?" asked the 28-year-old, who has been driving in the park for six years. "You're going to tell me I can't work with her anymore? How am I supposed to ensure her health?"

Lawson is one of roughly 200 horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park. Use of the carriages has been an at-times controversial tradition for over 160 years that has become a popular tourist activity.

On Thursday, New York City Council is expected to vote to pass a ban on the carriages that would start in June 2028.…