LETTER: Horses pull heavy loads in searing heat

To the editor:

Polls may be only a snapshot (“Good News; Community raises concerns about carriage horses”). The reality of equines being forced to pull heavy loads (17 Adult passengers by ONE horse) for eight hours a day in searing heat and humidity day after day is a reality that citizen/taxpayers living and working in Charleston understand. It’s common sense.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Heat Index Chart, temperature and humidity combined would dictate that these equines be off the streets at far less temperatures and humidity than is currently allowed in Charleston.

PS: And where is the thermometer located? Four stories above street level on top of a hotel, where cooler ocean breezes blow….

— Ellen Harley, Charleston, S.C.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  We received several letters from people outside of South Carolina — many from New York City — on both sides of the carriage horse issue.  While we appreciate their words, sometimes inflammatory, we generally publish locally-generated letters, not obvious or coordinated outside attempts to add fuel to the fire of a local issue.

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