Help Your Horses Keep Their Cool in the Hot Weather
Summer is here and with it the heat and humidity have arrived and show season, competitions, camps and trail rides are in full swing. It is the perfect time to enjoy the long days with your horses and ponies.
The high temperatures and humidity can be dangerous to most equines. However, there are easy ways to keep your horses cool and happy. Making sure your horse stay hydrated is the NUMBER ONE priority during these hot summer days and nights. Horses are drinking up to 25 GALLONS of this time of year. This is equally important for Upper Level Competition Horse as well as Pasture Puffs. They are at the same risk or dehydration and heat stroke.
Signs of heat stroke also known as heat exhaustion
Heatstroke is a serious condition. If you think your horse may be suffering from heatstroke, immediately try to help him cool off. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist or his condition worsens.
- Elevated Respiratory Rate- between 40 to 50 breaths per minute, shallow breathing, and breathing that remains elevated after 2 minutes of rest
- Elevated Heart Rate- a pulse of more than 80 beats per minute that doesn’t slow down after 2 minutes of rest
- Increased or Absence of Sweating- full-body sweating or, worse, if your horse stops sweating completely
To help cool your horse:
- Stop all work- cease workouts, rides, or farm work immediately
- Bathe Immediately- sponge him with cold water or a water/alcohol mix
- Offer Water- allow your horse to drink as much water as he desires, slowly
- Find Shade- get your horse out of direct sunlight and into shade, with a fan if possible
An inexpensive electrolyte is to take on container of non-iodized salt and lite salt, and mix them together. If you horse is a picky eater you can add any flavor of sugar free jello to make this mixture more appetizing.
You may also put the electrolytes in a small water bucket and offer it after work or turn out. Make sure fresh PLAIN water is offered afterwards. Remember most horses are drinking 25 GALLONS of water this year.
Try to ride early or after the heat of the day has passed. If you have to ride during the day, take frequent breaks and pay attention to your horse’s respiration. Let him catch his breath. If possible find a shady spot to take this break. You will both enjoy it!
Feed him plenty of hay during the hot weather. The pastures may be drying up during the heat. He needs the energy to sweat.
If you horse quits sweating- CALL THE VET IMMEDIATELY!!!
Light colored fly sheets do more than keep flies and mosquitoes off or your horse. While this is a WONDERFUL thing, these sheets also prevent bleaching, and believe it or not, your horse will sweat less with the fly sheet on. They help reflect the heat and keep him cool(er) and more comfortable. The fly sheets made with bug repellent woven in, really do work to make a lovely screen to keep those nasty bugs away and keep stomping to a minimum- keeping the feet in good shape and shoes on!
Happy riding this summer!!!
