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🇧🇪 Belgium /Sports

Water mist cools horses during sweltering L'equino event in Nokere

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The L'equino equestrian event in Nokere, Belgium, took measures to protect horses from overheating during a heatwave.
  • Horses were cooled with water mist sprayers and had ice applied to their tendons.
  • The event also saw a significant increase in visitors due to people staying home to avoid the heat in southern Europe.

During the L'equino equestrian event in Nokere, Belgium, organizers implemented special measures to ensure the well-being of horses amidst soaring temperatures. The cross-country event, held at the Baron Casier domain, saw participants and their equine partners battling the heat.

The horses are trained, but they are our number one priority all day, along with their riders. There are the sprayers, but we also constantly have ice ready to hold against the horses' tendons.

— Kristof CallensThe chairman of the event highlighted the comprehensive measures taken for the horses' well-being.

To combat the risk of overheating, the organization deployed water mist sprayers, allowing horses to cool down under the fine spray. Additionally, ice packs were kept readily available to be applied to the horses' tendons. "The horses are trained, but they are our number one priority all day, along with their riders," said chairman Kristof Callens. "There are the sprayers, but we also constantly have ice ready to hold against the horses' tendons."

It costs us extra, of course, but we do it with conviction. If the spectators consume some extra drinks, we will also cover the costs.

— Kristof CallensThe chairman acknowledged the additional expenses but emphasized the organization's commitment.

Callens acknowledged that these measures incurred extra costs but stressed the commitment to the animals' welfare. "It costs us extra, of course, but we do it with conviction. If the spectators consume some extra drinks, we will also cover the costs." The event relies heavily on its 250 volunteers who help manage the flow of visitors and ensure smooth operations under the hot sun.

We hear from many people that they decided to stay home after all. As a result, we are seeing as many as 15,000 visitors today.

— Kristof CallensThe chairman commented on the unexpected increase in visitor numbers, attributing it to people avoiding travel due to heat elsewhere.

Interestingly, the heatwave affecting southern Europe appears to have driven more visitors to L'equino. "We hear from many people that they decided to stay home after all. As a result, we are seeing as many as 15,000 visitors today," Callens noted. Valerie Busschaert, a participant from Kruisem, praised the event's organization, stating, "Everything is perfectly in order for the horses here. They receive the best care, and the course is in very good condition. That is very nice." Busschaert was competing in her final race before her 19-year-old horse retires.

Everything is perfectly in order for the horses here. They receive the best care, and the course is in very good condition. That is very nice.

— Valerie BusschaertA participant expressed satisfaction with the care and conditions provided for the horses at the event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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