Turkish farmers bathe their buffalo, horses in hot spring waters during winter

By Sener Toktas

BITLIS, Turkiye (AA) - Buffalo and horses that stay in their sheds during freezing colds are bathing in hot spring waters in eastern Turkiye.

Hot springs that reach 40 degrees (104 Fahrenheit) in the Guroymak district of Bitlis province are preferred by those who seek healing in the summer and those who want to bathe their buffalo and horses during the wintertime.

In Guroymak, where the temperature drops to minus 20 C (minus 4 F), buffalo and horses cannot be taken out of their sheds so farmers regularly take them to hot springs for relaxation.

Shepherds also enjoy the waters with their animals during three-hour-long baths. After being cleansed the animals are brought back to their village which is 7 km (4.3 miles) away.

Baran Aylu, one of the shepherds, told Anadolu Agency that they bring the animals to hot springs on weekends to wash them.

"As we look after our animals in the sheds during winter, they get dirty so we bathe them in the hot spring to clean them," Aylu said. "We also enjoy the hot spring with them and have fun by bathing in the cold weather."

Halit Akin, one of the residents of the village, said that through baths in the hot springs "animals are fed healthier and better."