Minimizing exercise and maximizing hydration are keys to preventing smoke’s harmful effects.
What’s In Wildfire Smoke
Smoke comes in endless variations, depending on what is burned. In the case of wildfires that spread beyond forests and rangeland to consume homes and other structures, smoke is produced from burning wood, vegetation, plastic, building materials, furniture, vehicles and combustibles such as gas and oil.
Wildfire smoke can contain carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, among other chemicals, for example. Even the smoldering stages of a fire can be deadly – that’s when colorless, odorless carbon monoxide is produced in the greatest quantities. In high doses, carbon monoxide can be fatal.
Particulate matter from wildfire smoke is the greatest threat to our horse’s health.
Particulates are an airborne mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are very small – less than five microns, smaller than the width of a human hair, which is typically 70 microns. Sub-micron particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs where they can cause damage even before any signs of respiratory distress become evident.
How Horses Are Affected
Horses show signs similar to humans, with irritated eyes and respiratory systems, compromised lung function and worsened conditions on the Equine Asthma Spectrum that ranges from Inflammatory Airway Disease to Recurrent Airway Obstruction, aka “heaves.”
Coughs, nasal discharge, wheezing and other breathing distress are signs to watch for. If these indicators increase or persist, call your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Not as widely discussed is the effect of particulates on the immune system. Particulates have been shown to alter the immune system. This reduces the lungs’ ability to remove inhaled materials like pollen and bacteria. Because horses are continually exposed to allergens outdoors as well as in the stable, an immune system compromised by wildfire particulates is a serious matter.
How to Help Your Horse
First of all, watch for clinical or behavioral signs that your horse needs treatment and don’t hesitate to call your vet. You know your horse better than anyone, and your equestrian instinct can be your horse’s best defense.
Keep exercise to a minimum. Avoid activities that increase smoky airflow into your horse’s lungs. You may note your horse being less active in his field or paddock, a sign that his horse sense tells him not to exert himself when it’s more difficult to breathe. Even if his horse sense hasn’t kicked in, be his advocate and refrain from normal activity until the air clears.
After a particularly intense period of smoke inhalation, it may take four to six weeks for your horse’s airway to heal. Give your horse the gift of time to heal. Exercising too soon could aggravate the condition of your horse’s lungs, delay healing and compromise future performance.
Experts familiar with the training and competition schedules of sport horses advise a return to exercise no sooner than two weeks after the atmosphere is clear of smoke. Monitor the Air Quality Index to know when it’s safe to exercise. The AQI’s six levels of ozone and particulate pollution are intended for humans, but are relevant for horses, too. If your horse has existing respiratory conditions, consider him to be in the “sensitive” category.
In the meantime, water is your horse’s friend. It keeps the horse’s airways moist and helps clear inhaled particulates from the airways. Dry airways encourage particulates to stay in the lungs and air passages. Because horses drink most of their water within two hours of eating hay, encourage water consumption by keeping fresh water close to where he eats.
Environmental improvements
Respiratory conditions affect a surprisingly high percent of active horses. Some estimates peg this number at 80% of all horses. Often, a horse can be struggling even without showing obvious symptoms when the problem is at its earliest and most treatable stage.
Reducing breathable dust in our horses’ environment is veterinarians’ #1 recommendation for preventing or managing respiratory problems year-round and in normal weather conditions. Bedding and hay are the main sources of dust in the stable. Low, or dust-free bedding, is a good option and soaking or steaming hay can help reduce respirable particles.
While it’s usually healthier for horses to live outdoors, the opposite is true when smoke is present. And the more time horses have to spend indoors, the more important it is to ensure the air their breathing is not posing more risks.
Bottom Line:
Keep exercise to a minimum and hydration to a maximum. Watch for signs your horse is not feeling normal and keep an extra watch on horses with compromised respiratory and immune systems. If in doubt, call your vet.