Ice, ice horsey; Calgary Stampede says keeping horses, bulls cool a priority
CALGARY — Biz doesn’t like a spray of water in the face, but isn’t adverse to a soaking everywhere else according to the horse’s owner.
Chuckwagon driver Jamie Laboucane says he’ll give the horse a cooling bath before and after each race of the Calgary Stampede, which got underway Friday when the temperature reached 32.
In the constant tension between animal rights groups and the Stampede, the rodeo made a point this year of communicating what they’re doing to keep chuckwagon horses and bucking stock cool.
With temperatures of 30 degrees and higher predicted for opening weekend and the mercury not dropping until next week, the Stampede’s veterinarian says the animals are monitored and steps are taken to ensure they don’t overheat.