New weather bug system could keep carriage horses healthy

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - It takes you back to a different time.  The horse drawn carriages in downtown Charleston are an attraction that remind us of the old Holy City. A city that's known for its high temperatures that can be hard on horses who have to be taken off the streets when it hits 98 degrees.

This one weather bug on the top of a Calhoun Street building is the only thermometer that's been measuring heat for years; a place where the carriages don't even ride passed. The city's Tourism Board has installed new weather bugs on top of the Dock Street Theatre and Double tree Inn right in the heart of the carriage routes.

"If its installed by the manufacturer's specifications, you wont see any resistance from Palmetto Carriage and I would assume most of the industry," said Tommy Doyle, owner of Palmetto Carriage Tours.

He says he's fine with new technology to be installed as long as it's done the right way.

"Leave it to the professionals to install it. The industry supports it and so do I. "

Some argue that these weather bugs aren't accurate because they are on top of buildings-far away from the heat the horses feel.

Those who helped install the system disagree.

"They will not install this on the ground where it can be influenced by radiant energy from the street or sidewalks buildings, where wind can be affected," said Vannessa Turner Maybank.

The thirteen thousand dollar system will measure conditions for the next 3 months,  then data will be sent to experts who will make new recommendations regarding heat and horses.