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Philadelphia's Horse Carriages Take One More Sweltering Day Off

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The city's horse-and-carriage companies had to take a day off today because of the excessive heat (see related story).

Elaine McDonald,  a longtime carriage driver, spent the day with a stable of horses in North Philadelphia instead of chauferring tourists through Old City.  She says the manager of 76 Carriage Company made a command decision early in the morning.

"She texted me at 5:30 (am) to tell me the temperature was already 79 degrees and not to bother sending anyone out.  So we didn't. The drivers that showed up came in and hosed down all the horses," McDonald (right) said.

The horses are hosed down for about 20 minutes, several times throughout the day. They can also get some relief from the shady stalls and huge exhaust fans.

City law prohibits carriage companies from doing business when the temperature reaches 92 degrees.

Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio 1060

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