Keeping animals cool the name of the game at county fairs - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

We've all heard the drill on taking the right precautions on these hot days.

And just like us, animals need extra care to keep hydrated and cool.

From Grand Island to Dakota City, Nebraska, horse barnes are a home away from home for Shayln Wheeler and her dad.

This week, it's the Dakota Thurston County Fair where heat indices are topping out over one hundred. And keeping the horses cool is the name of the game.

Lonnie Wheeler claims, "It's hard on the horses. Some people give electrolytes to their horses, keep them cool, it will help them keep cooler. It's just, all we can do is run as many fans as we can and keep them cool."

Buckets and buckets of water. All filled-up and ready for the horses.

Lonnie Wheeler added, "There's water in her stalls all the time. Down at the show we put in a new hydrant last year so we have a hydrant close to the show."

A hydrant that is pouring out a lot of water.

Shayln Wheeler said, "We just make sure they have water every day, all day so they don't get dehydrated."

Something that can easily happen on these hot, summer days.

Lonnie Wheeler, "I've seen them where their bottom lip will just hang and their just fighting for air. They can get into trouble pretty easy."

Trouble Shayln and her dad avoid by following simple steps.