horse's subsequent demise has caused great concern in a community sympathetic to animals. That concern was amply demonstrated when this newspaper carried a front page picture of a person trying to help Yankee and then made the mistake of not including the story which was scheduled for Page 3. The Royal Gazette switchboard was flooded with calls from people trying to find out what had happened to Yankee.

We will not know until the investigation is completed but it would seem that the heat and very high humidity in recent days must have been a contributing factor to Yankee's collapse. That will bring to the fore all the questions people have about how the horses which hack from Front Street are cared for.

Indeed it will highlight all the questions about how horses in general are cared for in Bermuda especially in the summer.

We believe that the general standard of care for animals in Bermuda is good and we have to note that many of the drivers bring their carriages to town only in the evening when the temperature is cooling off. But that does not mean we should not be vigilant. The summer heat can be very difficult for humans and we should take extra care of animals.

A system of regular checks on the horses in their working state to be sure that they are well fed and regularly cooled would be very sensible.

This newspaper has had complaints from visitors about the charges made by drivers and suggestions that they shorten the time of the drives for which they charge. However we carried out some investigation on our own which did not show any significant infractions. It might be sensible if those responsible for granting hacking licences did regular probes of the service provided. We have to be impressed by the attractiveness of the carriages and the high state of maintenance. People who care for their carriages that well doubtless also care about their horses. Just think of the pathetic looking horses and dilapidated carriages you see plying for hire in other countries.

It has never seemed to us that a drive along the canyons of Par-la-Ville Road and then past the Serpentine Road industrial area is the most attractive carriage ride for visitors. However we do know that the roads and the surrounds of Hamilton do not allow for much choice.

Despite the collapse of Yankee we do not think Bermuda has a serious problem.

But we know that there will always be a few offenders and we are asking that Bermuda take care.