Manhattan —

The fight over the fate of New York’s carriage horses is heating up – even with winter approaching.

The Horse and Carriage Association of New York declared Dec. 6 the official kick off of its holiday carriage ride season, and set up shop at at Central Park’s Grand Army Plaza. So did protesters, who loomed just yards away with a huge banner reading “Pity the Poor Horses” as Santa welcomed kids into his carriage for candy canes and photo ops.

HORSE'S MOUTH: Both sides have plenty to say in the fight over whether to ban carriage horses in the city.