The Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA) has warned cart horse operators to be mindful of the soaring temperatures.
A hot weekend is predicted for Cape Town, the West Coast and Northern Cape.
Cape Town experienced a maximum temperature of 34°C on Friday and the same is predicted for Saturday. On Sunday the South African Weather Services predicts a maximum high of 28°C.
Karin Paschen of the CHPA shared a document, titled Operation Scorcher, on what their organisation do when temperatures are very high.
On days when the temperature is in the low 30s they implement what is called Phase 1. They ask drivers, if they have to work, to go out early and return by 12:00. A patrol, call out and response officer are also on the road supplying feed for the horses and water for the drivers while patrolling on such days.
When the temperatures reaches the high 30s, Phase 2 is implemented. This is when the organisation’s inspectors patrol the areas where work is done.
The CHPA work with neighbourhood watch groups and ask them to escort working cart horses out of the area and send them home. They also only send them home once the welfare of the cart horse has been checked, the document reads.
The public are also encouraged to get in touch with the neighbourhood watch if they do see a working cart horse in order to escort them out of the area.
“Unfortunately, there is no law that forbids them not to go out and work in extremely hot weather,” Paschen told TygerBurger on Friday.
Several community groups on social media also shared a notice informing residents to report cart horses who are out in hot weather as high heat puts horses at risk of dehydration, exhaustion and serious harm.
For emergencies call 082 656 6599.
