Amidst the soaring temperatures in Kolkata, a 14-year-old mare named Gorgeous Girl, on duty at the Maidan during an IPL match, succumbed to heat-related illness. Prompt action was taken to provide her with a special bath and relocate her to an air-conditioned (AC) chamber at the stable for recovery.
The AC chamber, a recent addition to the Kolkata Mounted Police’s (KMP) SN Banerjee Road barracks, has proven invaluable in safeguarding the animals’ well-being. It offers a sanctuary for horses suffering from heat strokes or requiring rest after special baths.
Officer-in-charge of the KMP, Abhra Chatterjee, played a pivotal role in establishing the AC resting place. He emphasized the necessity of providing these facilities to maintain the horses’ fitness during the summer months. ‘AC resting places have become indispensable in preventing horses from succumbing to heat-related ailments and ensuring their ability to patrol the vast stretches of Maidan during hot and humid afternoons. If a horse experiences a heatstroke, it requires at least 3 to 4 hours of rest in an AC chamber,’ stated Chatterjee.
In response to the escalating heatwave, mounted police officers are vigilantly monitoring the horses’ health. Their efforts include tracking water intake, administering special baths after duty, and providing AC comfort to ailing horses. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of heat on the 70 horses housed at the SNB Road stable.
‘With the heatwave-like conditions prevailing in Kolkata, we have been monitoring the horses’ water intake at the stable from early morning. We replenish the water containers for each horse four times daily to ensure they consume at least 20 to 25 liters of water per day,’ said Chatterjee.
‘Every horse returning to the stable from Maidan is thoroughly examined,’ said a stable official. ‘Veterinarians recommend easily digestible fodder, and flax (linseed) is generally avoided. We also have vets on standby to address any medical emergencies that may arise.’
With the introduction of AC chambers and heightened vigilance, the KMP is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of its horses amidst the rising temperatures in Kolkata.
