Coming through the fires: A common sense approach to returning our horses to work

I have seen varied tidbits of advice circulating this past week, regarding returning our equine friends to work.  Clearly, we are all anxious to have life return to normal.  But returning our horses to a fitness/work schedule should be approached with prudence and a big dose of common sense.

Check out this link from UC Davis for a good explanation of what smoke and exposure include.  https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/guidelines-horses-exposed-wildfire-smoke

Now, let’s take a look at the return to fitness/work portion.  There are many variables to consider, including the extent of smoke/fire exposure, your horses age, previous fitness or pre-existing conditions, etc.

It really all boils down to awareness.  Take a moment and a good long look at what your horse has gone through these past days.

* Poor to hazardous air quality 24/7 multiplied by X days – this alone can cause sore throat and irritated airway, clogged sinus cavities (ie., headache), depleted oxygen saturation. 

* Ash in feed and water sources

* Potential new, high-stress living environment with new handlers, herd mates, change in feed and water intake.

* Pre-existing age or health conditions as contributing factors

Now, just for a moment imagine this is you. 

You have been outside in the smoke and ash for days on end.  Your water has had ash in it, your food has had ash on it, the ground you sniff around is peppered with ash, you are unable to breathe deeply.  Your heart races sometimes due to the lack of oxygen.  You have a sore throat; a headache and your lungs actually ache.  Your body has gone into a bit of a sustained shock.   Sometimes (or all the time) the best you can do is hang your head and try to get through.  You are simply exhausted from it all.  Then one morning the air clears, you return to your home and your routine returns to the familiar.  But still, the sore throat, headache and exhaustion linger.  A week passes, maybe two.  You feel a bit better and ready to go on a walk…but jog around the block?  Run a mile? Hike uphill? 

What I am suggesting is to simply put yourself in your horses’ skin.  Whatever we have endured, they have endured much more with no breaks and no options.  They have had no breathing apparatus to protect them from particulate, no throat lozenges, no filtered air system.   Rather they have been living through a non-stop onslaught of environmental assaults.  Use your compassion radar to find the best way through. Call your veterinarian if any symptoms manifest: such as persistent runny eyes or nose, cough, wheezing or change in eating/drinking habits.  Simply put, set aside your desires to return to “normal” a soaking up of the last of the good weather with your horse activities and instead be your horses advocate and champion. 

They will thank you for it.