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care and emergency safety. “It is really about
keeping the horses calm,” Mertes says. “And if
you have that extra time to prep ahead and
load up the trailer and do it in a very orderly
manner.” He says horse keepers should think
ahead by identifying places willing to take
animals in an emergency, such as agricultural
societies and boarding facilities, so they’re
not left scrambling.
As summer approaches, it’s important to
prepare horses not only for the worst-case
scenarios but for the day-to-day realities of
the season, whether that be extreme heat,
pests or drought.
Mertes says preparation for extreme heat
depends largely on your horse management
style. Since his horses are ranch-raised,
they’re typically kept out on pasture. He notes
that Alberta’s sun feels harsher and more
direct than British Columbia’s, making shade
and shelter — whether from trees or a lean-
to — essential for protecting horses in the
summer heat. They are strong creatures, but
they’re prone to heat exhaustion just like us.
Look out for the signs: sweating, hot skin and
rapid breathing.
Another major challenge horse owners
face in Alberta is managing hay and ensuring
horses have enough water during a dry
season. Mertes suggests starting to plan
for the hot and dry summer months well in
advance; that means securing enough hay
and ensuring a reliable water supply.
The Canadian Drought Monitor’s most
recent outlook shows certain areas of Alberta
are already facing drought conditions. And
with Environment and Climate Change
Canada forecasting above-average
temperatures this summer for most of the
province, the conditions will undoubtedly
affect hay production. To stay ahead, horse
owners should secure supplies early to avoid
shortages later.
With summer also comes the inevitable
challenge of dealing with bugs — especially
flies, a nuisance to both horses and their
owners. Mertes has tried many methods over
the years to keep flies at bay. “It does get
really bad with the standing manure around
or small horse pens. One of the best things
I’ve found is called Konk, and UFA sells it. It’s
a bug spray, and it’s more of a commercial
bug spray, and it works really well.”
For trail riders, Mertes recommends a
product that many people may not be aware
of — a Thermacell. “It clears a 15-foot radius
around you,” Mertes explains. “I’ve had them
before where I’ve been out trail riding and had
a bunch of bugs landing on a colt and bugging
them. Turn one of those on, and within about
two minutes, the colt’s head’s down. There are
no bugs touching us anywhere.”
Mertes and George both stress that while
planning in advance during the summer is
essential, the tight-knit, supportive nature
of the Alberta horse community is one thing
you don’t have to plan for — it’s constant.
“Alberta’s been very generous and kind about
taking in animals,” says George, pointing to
how horse enthusiasts stepped up during the
Jasper wildfire last year.
“The horse world is a small community, so
everybody tries to help each other out if they
can,” says Mertes.
PREPARING FOR EXTREME HEAT
AND DROUGHT
1. Monitor your water sources: Streams and
rivers are great sources of fresh water —
but they can run dry. Monitor conditions
and water levels throughout the year to
ensure you are prepared.
2. Stock up on hay: Hay costs more in the
summer months, especially during dry
seasons. Prepare up to six months ahead
of time. Trevor Mertes recommends
having 25 per cent of yearly hay left over
as a buffer.
3. Pasture management: Practice rotational
grazing to allow grass to regrow. If
possible, have more pasture than you
need to ensure adequate grazing space.
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