Community Corner
First Company Governor's Horses Ride Out Avon Heat
Agricultural caretaker Cheryl Cleaves says that the First Company Governor's Horse Guards horses are doing well in the heat wave.
You think you're hot?
Horses are more sensitive to heat than people, according to Cheryl Cleaves, a Canton resident and a First Company Governor's Horse Guards agricultural caretaker in Avon.
The horses have been doing well in the current heat wave and have been monitored closely, Cleaves said. Since the barn isn't air conditioned, the horses have been spend most of their time outside in the pastures along West Avon Road where it's been slightly cooler due to the breeze. The stables are typically 5 degrees hotter than it is outside, Cleaves said. On Friday, the heat index was slated to breach 100 degrees in Avon.
Cleaves said she puts electrolytes in the horses' food, similar to Gatorade.
Tanks amounting to between 100 and 200 gallons give the horses easy access to quench their thirst. The weekly Thursday night training was light to go easy on the horses in the heat. One of the horse guards took one of the horses for a walk Friday afternoon.
It may be hot, but these horses have been able to take the heat.
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