No Horse-Drawn Carriages On Philadelphia Streets During Heat Wave
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- They have the whole day off.
The horses pulling the tourism carriages along the streets of Philadelphia's historic district never left the stable today, due to the heat.
And yesterday, they were taken off the streets once the temperatures climbed.
When the temperature exceeds 91 degrees, there is a city ordinance that says the horses need to be off the streets.
"We actually follow KYW -- the airport temperature here in Philadelphia," says Eleanor Forstater of 76 Carriage Company.
And she says the animals are watched closely during the excessive heat since each one is unique and reacts differently.
"The horses are continuously hosed off to keep them cool," she explained today from a stable and yard facility in Kensington. "We also have set up a sprinkler system in our pasture for them, as well as brought in additional fans to circulate the air for them."
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Forstater says electrolytes are put into their water, and they're given extra molasses.
"The horses are here and they are having fun, rolling in the yard," she said. "And the drivers are having fun, getting wet right alongside of them."
