Cooling stations, extra precautions put in place for horses at Saratoga

A concern during very hot weather is the safety of the horses at Saratoga Race Course.

There are protocols in place. Keeping the horses cool is the top priority.

There are extra cooling stations to hose the horses down and to use ice to keep them cool.

If the heat index – what it feels like outside – reaches 105, serious talks begin to possibly postpone races for safety. The last time that happened was 2019.

There are more veterinarians taking a close look at every horse several times throughout the day.

The doctors look for warning signs that a horse is not responding to the heat or the cold in a way that gives them comfort, and that they’re going to be able to run and race safely. They are stationed from the backstretch to the finish line.