How do Calgary police horses stay cool during heat wave?

It's hot in Calgary.

Several days into a heat wave, lots of people are talking about it.

But what about the four-legged officers with the Calgary Police Service?  

"We are always concerned about the welfare of our horses," Const. Tory Fassnidge told CBC News in an interview this week.

"On days like we have had in the past two weeks, where we are getting 32 C or 34 C temperatures in the afternoons, we definitely monitor our horses' health by checking their hydration, their gum lividity, the hydration level and elasticity of their skin."

How the Calgary Police Service keeps their mounted unit cool during a heatwave

4 months ago

Duration 1:37

The CPS mounted unit employs various methods to ensure their horses remain productive and comfortable when temperatures soar. For example, during these super warm days, the patrol stays close to the river instead of their usual patrol downtown.

So how do they keep them cool?

"We patrol near water," Fassnidge explained.

"We are close to the Bow River right now. We are going to be taking them for a drink and a walk through the river. We don't stray from the river for more than an hour."

Cool and popular

"Our unit is the most photographed and videoed unit of all the units in the Calgary Police Service," the constable said.

"The public absolutely loves us. Most everybody who we see on the street comes up to us, asks if they can say 'hi' to the horses, pet the horses, take a picture with us, and have a friendly conversation."

It's better to ask the officer before approaching, Fassnidge added.

Poop protocol = safety first

"We do have a manure policy. We clean it up anywhere folks would be walking, a sidewalk or playground," he said.

"If it's a situation where we are walking across Macleod Trail and it happens right there, and it's not safe to [clean it up] we might leave that one. About 90 per cent of the time we remove the manure to a more clean location."