Heat

How to offer carriage rides during a heat wave? You really can't push it. The law prohibits working when the temps are over 90, or the combined heat and humidity add up to more than 140. It can be hard to pay the bills if you need to rely on fares to do so. The drivers in NYC are under criticism again for their long hours in the heat. A horse can be sponged regularly to cool them, but then they just look wet as if they're drenched in sweat. If the driver also looks like they are suffering, it isn't worth trying to find someone to pay you for a pleasant ride- it's best to stay home. Thank goodness for our big pasture at Seaview farm, where there is plenty of shade along the stone wall lined with tall oak trees.
Today I had Curley out with the light carriage in Rockport, just to keep in shape- I didn't even try to pick up a paying passenger. Like any athlete, too many days with no exercise can lead to weakness and possible injury. We stopped at a friend's house and asked her to come along for company, and just tooled around for 30 minutes. Then home again for a shower and back out to the field. Just in time! A thunderstorm blew in, and I enjoyed a great show of acrobatics as the young, light horses galloped around the field, kicking up their heels in the exciting wind just before the rain. The three drafts just kept grazing- it takes more than a swooshing wind to get them excited.