A keeper spays a horse with water to lower its body temperature amid scorching summer heat at an equestrian club in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 4, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
SANAA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- "As the temperature soars, it's not just the people who suffer. Our animals are feeling the brunt of it too," shared Yahya al-Baidhany, a keeper of the Arabian horses at Al-Raad Equestrian School in Sanaa, Yemen's capital.
The equestrian club is one of the few places in the war-ravaged country that still safeguards the country's rare and precious indigenous Arabian horses.
In Sanaa, the plateau that once provided a refuge from the heat now poses risks for animals. The high altitude and lack of shade make it difficult for animals to cool down in the unbearable summer heat this year, and the dry air can exacerbate respiratory problems.
Al-Baidhany said most of the residents in Sanaa had not foreseen the heatwave's severity this year.
Horses are kept in the stable to avoid heat weather at an equestrian club in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 4, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
"We used to let them roam freely in the fields during summer, without much concern for the heat. But this year, it's different. The horses prefer staying in the stables, especially during the scorching midday hours," said the keeper.
He said he and his peers have been forced to take drastic measures to protect the animals. They have installed fans and mist makers in the stables, and have been giving the horses frequent water baths.
Al-Baidhany is worried about the long-term effects of the heatwave on the horses.
"We are seeing signs of distress in their health. They are losing weight and their coats are becoming dull. I fear the possibility of heatstroke, which can be fatal for horses," he said.
A keeper spays a horse with water to lower its body temperature amid scorching summer heat at an equestrian club in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 4, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
The heatwave is just one of the many challenges facing animals in Yemen. The country is also in the midst of a civil war, which has caused widespread damage to infrastructure and led to a shortage of food and water.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi militia took control of several northern provinces, leading to the displacement of the internationally recognized government from the capital, Sanaa.
"These Arabian horses are renowned for their resilience, but even they can't escape the threat of starvation," warned Mohammed Al-Taweel, a jockey who visits the club regularly.
"It's heartbreaking to see these majestic creatures suffering in such conditions. And this is a stark reminder of the toll that the conflict and environmental challenges are taking on all living beings in Yemen," he added.
A keeper spays a horse with water to lower its body temperature amid scorching summer heat at an equestrian club in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 4, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)■
