For the Health of It
Consequences of Wildfires on the Health of Horses
Reprinted with permission from Volume 29 , Issue Number 4 of Equine Disease Quarterly
Wildfires have become the new normal for many areas of the world , and subsequent health consequences have emerged as an important problem affecting large numbers of horses . For those of us in California with a Mediterranean climate , large areas are affected by unrelenting fires , which produce a particular challenge to horse owners and those providing veterinary care . There is a paucity of education and training in disaster and emergency response in veterinary curricula , including the health consequences of wildfires .
Wildfires can create health problems in horses by direct and indirect exposure to flames and smoke , injury during flight or evacuation , and / or disruption of the horse ’ s food and water sources .
Wildfire smoke health effects include primary smoke exposure with direct smoke inhalation and secondary smoke-related air quality issues in areas adjacent to fires where smoke has permeated the environment . Wildfire smoke reduces air quality . It contains small amounts of the toxic gases within the smoke and particulate matter , soot , and other substances depending on what has burned . Particulate matter within smoke is microscopic and quickly descends into the lower airways of horses producing bronchial and pulmonary inflammation . Eye and nasal irritation , coughing , and increased respiratory efforts may be observed primarily in horses with a history of heaves or recurrent airway obstruction disorders . Published daily reports of air quality indexes that guide humans should be considered for determining horse-related activities . Events that induce increased respiratory efforts may need to be postponed , and horses with massive smoke exposure may need four to six weeks to recover completely from lower airway inflammation .
6 • Walking On