St. Louis carriage horses get 40-hour workweek, 5-week vacation

The St. Louis health director is calling for better working conditions for city carriage horses.

City Health Director Pam Walker on Tuesday ordered the animals to be sidelined on days when the heat index reaches 100.

She also set standards for ventilation and cleanliness for stables. Carriage companies are not allowed to work a horse more than eight hours a day, five days per week. Each animal is now entitled to a five-week vacation every year.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that at least one carriage company owner says he will ignore Walker’s requirements.

Walker previously said she wanted to ban the companies but has softened her position. She says she doesn’t have the authority to ban the companies outright.

This story was originally published July 16, 2014 at 7:07 AM with the headline "St. Louis carriage horses get 40-hour workweek, 5-week vacation."