Carriage horses should be off the streets

Krista Robertson
541 Godfrey Park Place

Sir,
I just received an alarming phone call from my husband regarding the maximum temperature allowed by law before the carriage horses must stop running. He was greatly distressed, since the temperatures this week are the highest of the summer thus far, reaching the upper 90s with an extreme humidity level. He told me the horses looked as if they were ready to fall over.

Continue reading "High temperatures affect all"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Sir,
I am a frequent visitor to Charleston and every time I see a carriage with 15 people being drawn by one horse I get so angry. I understand this is a money maker for the tourist industry, but can something be done about the number of people one horse is forced to pull. Many times the number of overweight people in one carriage is appalling. These poor animals have to work so hard to make money for human beings,surely it would not hurt to lighten their burden a little bit. At least 2 animals could be used for the larger carriages, couldn't they? Thank you.

B.J Clouse,
23 Watkins Circle
Taylors SC 29687,

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Some carriage companies are breaching regulations

There are mixed feelings about horse-drawn carriages on the Peninsula. Some residents feel they add to the historic charm of the district and help the tourism industry. Others say they clog traffic, and horses are worked sometimes in inhumane conditions. In response to citizen concerns, some years ago the City introduced an ordinance to regulate the industry. Most folk thought the ordinance limited the number of horse-drawn vehicles on the streets to 20 at any time, and that to ensure compliance, mandated carriages to carry a City-supplied medallion each time they embarked on a tour. The facts are slightly different. The ordinance gives the carriage companies considerable latitude in where they can travel, and without medallions. And indeed it seems to us that the carriage companies frequently breach the law.

Continue reading "Too many horse carriages on the Pensinsula?"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Animal welfare ordinance faces no hurdles

Strange explanation of Foundation's investment with Al Parish

It's been more years than we can count in the making. And the Committee that was responsible for the Carriage Horse Welfare ordinance before Council yesterday was not the first to make an effort. Council was not inclined to dispute, or even discuss any issues relating to the ordinance. It was passed with only three Council members opposing because, in their view, the ordinance was not necessary.

Continue reading "City Council, April 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Still defining temperature and humidity thresholds

Final draft of ordinance likely to draw strong criticism

Warwick Jones

Committee members hoped today to complete their task of shaping an ordinance governing carriage horses. It was not to be but completion is likely at the next meeting. Two months have elapsed since the last meeting of the Committee. A meeting in January was planned to allow two veterinarians, one of the public’s choosing and the other of the horse carriage operators’, to make presentations. Either because of reluctance or timing, there were no presentations.

Continue reading "Carriage Horse Committee – February 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Delays decision on ordinance

Issues still over load and temperature thresholds

The Committee today voted to accept the draft ordinance virtually as it was submitted. This was not to be seen as an endorsement of its contents, but rather to put something concrete before the two veterinarians who are to make presentations before the Committee in January. At the last meeting, a group of citizens who were concerned about some aspects of the draft ordinance, asked that a veterinarian of their choosing be allowed to make a presentation. Committee member Doyle, who represents the horse carriage trade, said that if this were allowed, he wanted the carriage trade to also choose a veterinarian to make a presentation. Both requests were approved by the Committee at the last meeting.

Continue reading "Carriage Horse Committee, December 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Final ordinance likely by early next year

Public allowed to have another equine vet make a presentation

Committee member Tom Doyle was right. Progress in shaping the ordinance to protect carriage horses has been slow. We can't comment on the whole of the three years that the new ordinance has been in the making, but he is certainly right about the last few months. The draft ordinance placed before the Committee today was little different from that of some months ago.

Continue reading "Carriage Horse Committee November 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Calls in an expert

But still can't get answers

The Committee charged with shaping an ordinance for carriage horses called an expert witness to guide them. He endorsed a draft of the ordinance which we expect will change little as it now moves into its final form. But his endorsement was a surprise and hard to take seriously. It followed a presentation to the Committee today that raised a host of questions but gave few answers. The unanswered questions were very pertinent to the draft. And although he didn't say the thresholds referred to in the draft were wrong, such as the ambient temperature that horses should cease working, he didn't say they were right!

Continue reading "Carriage Horse Committee"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:59 PM | Comments (0)

A slow walk for carriage horse ordinance

Issues remain over workloads, temperature and humidity thresholds

There was little action stemming from yesterday's meeting of the Carriage Horse Committee. Mr. Tom Doyle, the representative of the Horse Carriage industry was absent. In consequence, the Committee decided not to vote on any anything substantive. It seemed that members also were reluctant to discuss important issues.

Continue reading "Carriage Horse Committee, September 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)

Plodding to completion with an empty load

I enjoyed watching the carriage rides because I love horses but watching the carriage rides throughout the days put a pit in my stomach. I started to feel bad for the horses because it was only one horse per carriage. I am an animal lover. The poor horses were pulling well over 20 (sic) people per carriage. It was well over 90 degrees. The horses were pouring sweat. It just turned me off on the whole "classic carriage ride." You can see more of Charleston by walking. 7/31/06 -Yahoo Travel Guide Review

Continue reading "An Ordinance to protect carriage horses"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)

Carriage Horse ordinance in final leg

Is it sufficiently stringent?

The City of Charleston has an ordinance that covers horse carriages. But it has none that covers carriage horses. The need for an ordinance was recognized some 13 years ago, and a committee was appointed by the City to help shape it. It has been slow progress, but after two years of deliberations, the Committee most recently appointed is close to completing its task. The final draft could be presented to Council within two months or so. It essentially will regulate the working and living conditions of the horses.

Continue reading "Horse Carriage Committee Meeting August 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)

Pat Jones who covers Tourism

The Carriage Horse Committee met on June 30 to discuss a number of issues. Highlights were visits to the city's carriage horse facilities and a general greement amongst committee members that stall size, the weight of horses and heat should be added to the issues dealt with in the new regulations. Also discussed, was the possibility of lowering the external temperature at which the horses' internal temperature must be checked from 95 degrees to 90 degrees. This is to ensure that horses do not suffer from heat exhaustion.

Continue reading "Tourism Commission - Carriage Horse Committee considering new regulations"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:03 PM | Comments (0)