Even horses cool off as Milan heat reaches countryside stables

Water splashed over dark coats and manes as trainers hosed down horses under the scorching sun on Tuesday (May 26) at Casa Chiaravalle, a rural estate on the outskirts of Milan, as high temperatures swept across Italy.

Trainers with the "Il Branco" project - a natural horsemanship programme - brushed the animals, offered carrots and let water run along their backs to keep them comfortable in the heat.

Italy is experiencing its first significant heatwave of the year, with northern and central regions among the hardest hit as temperatures rise weeks ahead of the official start of the summer season.

The heat is expected to intensify on Wednesday (May 27), when temperatures could exceed 34 to 35 degrees Celsius in major cities, particularly in Tuscany and Umbria.

Italy's Health Ministry has placed 15 cities under an "orange" alert, signalling potential risks for vulnerable people, including the elderly, children and patients with chronic illnesses.

The first signs of relief could emerge on Thursday (May 28), when cooler air from northern Europe is expected to weaken the high-pressure system, bringing a chance of thunderstorms.

-Claudia Greco, Claudia Chieppa, Matteo Negri/Reuters