Operators of horse-drawn carriages (calandrias) in the Guadalajara historic center have been forced to suspend their labors on three occasions so far this month due to the extreme heat.
Municipal regulations mandate the suspension of the activity when the thermometer rises above 32 degrees Celsius.
Officials from the municipality’s Animal Protection unit are responsible for monitoring temperatures and advising carriage drivers when to cease work.
There are 39 traditional horse-drawn carriages still operating in the downtown area, despite promises from the current administration that they will be phased out. Only 16 electric calandrias have so far been acquired by drivers.
According to Protección Animal Director Juan Antonio Barragán Sánchez, ten more electric carriages will be introduced in the next few months, allowing 20 horses to retire.
Regulations stipulate that horses must have 24 hours of rest for every 24 hours of work. The horses must also undergo a medical check up every three months.
Visitors to the city center still prefer to rent the horse-drawn models rather than the new electric ones, most drivers say.