Preparing Your Horse For Hot Weather.

When the weather gets hot, horses get hot, just like we do. They need different care for hot weather which you can find out how to do right here!

Water.

Make sure there loads of water which is accessible for your horse. Try and keep the water in shade so it stays cool for as long as possible, this will cool your horse down better than water that’s in the sun.

Cancel Lessons/Events.

If it is really hot and you think it will be too much for your horse, cancel lessons or/and events they have. If you have to do a lesson/event, make sure it is very early morning or late evening as this is when it will cool down.

Sponge/Spray Them Down.

When spraying your horse, make sure you NEVER spray their ears or face as this could damage them and make your horse very uncomfortable and in pain. Always get a sponge to cool down their ears and face as this is soft and soothing for them.

When you are spraying them, spray down the large blood vessels found on the insides of the legs belly and neck and this helps regulate the temperature of their blood.

Cool Down Slowly.

If you have had a session or any kind of exercise. Make sure you cool your horse down slowly. Take off the equipment and slowly walk round, if you allow them to stand still their muscles will stiffen. Do not allow them to gulp water down, just offer them small sips of the water.

Electrolytes.

If your horse is excessively sweating, use electrolytes because these rebuild the salts that are lost through sweating.

Shade

Always make sure there’s lots of shade for your horse to go and stand/lay in. Maybe try and keep them in the barn on the day when its hot, and let them out when it’s cooled down. Clip horses with a heavier coat and apply zinc oxide to pink noses or bald spots.

Heat stroke.

Horses, just like humans can get heat stroke, here are the signs that your horse has heat stroke;

Rapid breathing, a high pulse, no sweating, temperature over 40 degrees, irregular heartbeat, dehydration and depression.

If you think your horse has a heatstroke, call your vets and start trying to cool them down.