Riding up the bank at Thistle Ridge Skill Builders

Posted by Equestrian Skill Builders on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Extreme Heat Considerations

Summer riding can be fun but when extreme temperatures come your way you have to be diligent to keep your horse from over heating.

Here are some tips for dealing with hot temperatures.

1. Have access to clean fresh water.
If you own and keep horses you are not surprised to learn horses drink 5 – 7 gallons of water per day. When you add sweat loss due to hot weather and riding horses may drink up to 20 gallons per day. Having access to free choice water is important. For horses which drink a lot of water consider putting up 2 drinking buckets.

2. Supplement with electrolytes.
During this time of year I add approximately 1 teaspoon of salt to their grain to make sure they are drinking properly. The salt encourages them to drink (just think how thirsty you are after eating a bag of potato chips). Adding salt or other electrolyte supplement could help them restore any imbalances in their electrolyte levels caused by sweating.

3. Water their grain.
If you are concerned they are not drinking properly or would like to increase their water intake, water their grain. As a rule, I water down the complete pellets I use. This is just another way to get more water into your horse’s system.

4. Be diligent with fly spray.
The heat will foster a whole new crop of insects. Keep your horse comfortable with fly spray. Some people have had some luck feeding garlic and apple cider vinegar. Send me an email if you have had success with this.
I am very cynical regarding fly spray and have yet to find one that works to my satisfaction. I have had some success using natural sprays.
Get your free download of fly spray recipes here

5. Have Shade for Your Horses.
Shade is a simple way to offer relief to your horse. A stand of trees or loafing shed provides a cooling for horses and just a place to get out of the sun.

6. Do not override for the circumstances
Horses are well equipped to handle most situations from frigid temperatures to heat. Heat stress may be a concern during vigorous exercise such as distance riding, sprinting or racing events particularly in hot humid weather. During these times consider your work out and adjust it accordingly.

If you have to ride, show or compete have your items ready to cool your horse down. Hosing down, rinsing with cool water will help your horse to cool down. If you think your horse is becoming over heated, immediately get off your horse and remove the tack and move to a shaded area.

Have a ready supply of cool water to rinse of your horse. Sponge water on your horse and scrape it off. If you do not scrape it off it will act as a barrier and keep the heat in your horse. Sponge, scrape and sponge, scrape to get the cool water onto your horse.

Cooling the muscles off too quickly may cause muscle cramping so periodic walking to assist in the cooling process will help.

For additional information about heat and your horse please visit http://extension.psu.edu/animals/equine/news/2012/how-much-drinking-water-does-your-horse-need

~Laura