Cavallo Boots Help Forest Fire Horses
2021 – A Terrifying Year for Wildfires
This year’s forest fires tore through land, homes, barns and displaced families–and their horses. At the start of October 2021, 46,500 wildfires had burned 5.9 million acres in the United States. Another 10.33 million acres burned in Canada, Wikipedia reports. We couldn’t just stand by and watch the news reports. We decided to help these forest fire horses by donating Cavallo Boots, Wraps and Pads to some key rescue coordinators to manage.
Feeling as though you may lose your horses or endure any assortment of injuries, is agonizing. Our hearts go out to those who suffer. Cavallo has offered all the comfort that we could. I trust that other companies and individuals do the same when they can.
Making Connections to Help Forest Fire Horses
First, we reached out to Perfect Pastures Animal Sanctuary in Delta, British Columbia to offer boots and supplies for horses rescued from the fires. Perfect Pastures’ Maggie Ferguson coordinated with Cavallo to find contacts working on site with the affected horses and organize and size the donated goods. Maggie said she still sees the many horrific fire images in her mind and thanks all who helped the horses with donations and with transport during the fire activity. Maggie wrote us a lovely email, thanking us for helping through this tough time:
“Please know that you have helped give comfort to those who truly need it. I close my eyes at night and see the pictures I have been sent, again and again, of those who didn’t make it out alive and have been so grateful for the ones I know that did. So many people throughout British Columbia have come out in droves to wrangle and transport livestock through the toughest of conditions. Heroes all of them. And the fire crews who held the lines and never wavered. The feed, the fences, the time, the patience, the logistics—the giving! To Cavallo Hoof Boots, the horses thank you for giving.”
Horse People are Stronger Together
Maggie connected us with Kelly Kennedy of Kamloops, British Columbia, who helped to rescue a total of 119 horses during the area’s five large forest fires. Kelly received and distributed our donations to horses in need at fire staging centres. Kelly shared the thoughts she had when they were first called into action when the fires first raged, and many helpers were needed:
“This past weekend has definitely been one for the books. It was amazing to see strangers come together and become friends. I have no idea how I would have gotten through without this group of friends. We stuck it out and took every call for help that we could. I am sad for the ones that we couldn’t make it to in time. We drove all night and slept when we could and in the truck. Our people behind it all thank you for taking care of everything else. We have people and animals jammed everywhere but we make it work. It’s not just one person…it’s a team!”
How do Cavallo Boots Help Forest Fire Horses?
Cavallo offered support as the rescuers learned how to use the boots for medical aids and support during the rescues. Cavallo Boots can be used to help rehabilitate a wide range of injuries and care needs:
- As a poultice boot – helpful for horses dealing with burned feet
- As a soaking boot – drainage holes on the soles can be covered with duct tape and use to soak
- For general comfort (if horses are very sore/sensitive after their ordeal or are on rougher ground than they are used to)
- For existing issues causing pain (arthritis, abscess, Laminitis, Navicular, etc.) If a horse is reluctant to keep moving – you will see an immediate difference in movement/comfort levels after putting the boots on
- Transport – for comfort and to protect a horse and the horses near while trailering
Thank You!
Thank you for being part of our Cavallo Community. We appreciate you so much. As Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc. continues to grow, so does our ability to make donations to rescues and horses in crisis. YOU help to make this possible!
Read a great article full of helpful tips for using Cavallos during hoof rehab and/or turnout HERE!
Wishing you and your horses safe and happy trails,
-Carole
Carole Herder is the author of the #1-bestselling books: There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven and the newly-released Hoofprints on The Journey. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., manufactures and distributes horse products, including Cavallo Hoof Boots and Saddle Pads, to 26 countries worldwide. Herder designed and developed Cavallo Hoof Boots and Total Comfort System Saddle Pads. She’s an honoured recipient of the BCBusiness Women Innovator Award, Royal Bank of Canada Woman Entrepreneur Award, a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, and a certified Chopra University Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Teacher.
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