Treatment of horse during time of fires?

Question

I am not IN a fire zone, but they are all around this valley. One of my horses seems especially sensitive around his eyes & they seem puffy. I think it is from the smoke that has been in the air for three weeks now. We are 30 miles from fires that are burning here in Northern California. Anything I can do for him or should I trailer him outta here ? I know MY throat is hurting. Theirs have to be effected as well. They are pastured and I don't have an enclosed barn to put them in to recycle their air. Thanks for any help on this..

Answer 1

Thirty miles sounds like a good distance, but right now I'm looking at a map of the Piute Fire and realizing that it's closing what I thought was a 40 mile distance rather FAST.

My friends who live in Mount Mesa (Which is about 15 miles to the south of me), just checked with me yesterday about evacuating their horses because they can see the black smoke and some flames from their house and the FD showed up in their driveway yesterday.

If you can, move your horse.  If you can't then try wetting down his stall and that might help with the smoke problem.

Answer 2

We have had to evacuate because of fire danger.  Our horses were moved 40 miles away.  Even then, the air still smelled of smoke and was hazy.  But less than where we lived.  Humans were talking with hoarse voices [no pun intended] but the animals seemed to come through it okay.

When the smoke comes now...We don't ride or work them...anything that would cause them to breathe heavy.  We also wet fly masks to stop ash from getting into their eyes...if this is necessary.  These would be cleaned and rinsed a couple times a day.

You can dampen their hay or feed.  In my thinking...don't know if it's a fact...the damp food would feel better on a 'sore' throat.

Answer 3

Horses have a MUCH more delicate respiratory system than we humans do.  by the time we smell fumes in a wet stall, the horse that occupies it has already sustained damage to the respiratory system.

Therefore, I have to say, if the smoke is that bad, you SHOULD relocate the horse to a safer area if at all possible.

I am in Michigan and I've heard about the fires this year and last - I worry about all the horses out there that are helpless to leave the area.  Also, the resulting shortage of feedstuffs perhaps from the fires.  I wish I were closer so I could help take in horses like yours for a few weeks until the area is safe.

If there's anything others outside of your area can do to help, please email and point us in the direction of help you need.  Word can get out and you can get help.  There are many organizations I"m sure that will build a means to help our equine friends if we know of the need.

I had a friend a long time ago, who's hay mow over the horses caught fire.  None of the horses were burnt, but two of them were unable to be ridden or worked due to damage done to their lungs and respiratory systems by smoke inhalation.  Get your friend out of the smoke if you can.

Answer 4

Hello,

I too am a S. CA fire veteran, lived there for 38 years.  We just moved in 07 to Idaho.

But, we have had many years of dealing with the same problems.  YES< it must be terrible for the horses, I know how irritating and awful it is for you to be outside in the smoke.  And how it burns your lungs and ash flying around if your close enough for that too.

We never moved our horses and they were all outside too.  We didn't keep any in the barn.  THEY all are FINE.  BUT, we wouldn't ride when the conditions were like that.  IT SURELY would be awful, not only for the horse but yourself.

I suppose if you have the funds to move them, you could, but you are in CA and fires are there every year, maybe not always right by your place but it is "fire season:" every summer....  It may save you from transporting them during an evacuation, but then again, you may take up room with your horses when people who NEED to evacuate are looking for room....

HANG in there!  BEEN there, done that!  I hate fire season!

Answer 5

if your horse is sensitive to the smoke and particulates in the air the best thing to do is get him out of the zone and into cleaner air.find someone you trust who can take your horse in who is still close so you can keep an eye on your horse.right now there is probably a lot of livestock in barns around you to escape the fire and particulate area.make sure you have your horses halter that is tagged with your information and your vets information and take some feed that the horse is used to eating.

i live in colorado and there has been a steady stream of horse trailers with california plates bringing show horses in to escape the fires.a friend of mine has shipped his entire herd of top andelusians with their foals up here for safe keeping.

Answer 6

Your horses may just be taking in the smoke and it's hurting their lungs, a vet could diagnose your horse and give you medications that will help. Not much more you could do, but move them to a safer place.

Answer 7

If you unable to move the horses then keeping them quite and not working them is a good idea.  I was a firefighter here in Southern California and so i know the lay of the land, when the wind changes and fire behavior...so what did is set up the area where my horses are keep so they are safe, they may get a little smoke but will not have to be moved if there is a fire.  Make sure there is access to plenty of clean water and shelter and no riding.

Answer 8

If there is anyway you can place them somewhere else for a while, I would suggest you do so.  Not only could the fires manage to burn their way to your area, but inhaling the extra pollution in the air isn't good for them right now.

If you can get your horses out now, that will save time and money in the long run both with evacuating and with health concerns.

Good luck.

Answer 9

If you can afford it, trailer them and yourself out.  There is nothing more expensive than a sick horse and a  sick owner.  Be on the safe side.  Good luck!