Vienna carriage horses to get time off during heatwaves

The City of Vienna on Thursday approved legislation making it illegal for its world-famous carriage horses to work in temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius and above.

The new law, set to enter into force in mid-July, will also reduce the animals' monthly work load from 20 to 18 days and shorten their daily roster by one hour. 

In addition, the capital's 375 horses will have to undergo regular health check-ups.

The Austrian capital's carriages, known as "fiakers", are a massive tourist magnet, taking people around the main sights and cobblestoned streets all year long.

As a result the horses at times spend hours wandering around the city in blazing heat, prompting warnings from animal groups.

Last summer, the mercury soared above 35 C (95 degrees Fahrenheit) no less than 18 times in Vienna.