During the hotter days of the year it is understandable that us horse owners are concerned about how keep our horses' comfortable and healthy. Read below for hot weather tips and tricks...
Protect Your Horses Skin
It's not just humans that benefit from sun block against UV rays but animals too, including horses! The exposed areas of the skin like the muzzle are particularly sensitive to the sun, as well as horse's with pink skin and grey coats. Summer sheets and protective fly masks that have UV protection are also a great solution to protect your horse from the summer sun.
Include Electrolytes to Your Horses Feed
Adding electrolytes supplements in your horse's feed helps replenish the horse's system which looses the important mineral through sweating. Electrolytes are essential for diffrent bodily functions such as urine production, digestion and muscle contraction. A significant loss of electrolytes can impact the performance on all those systems and can potentially lead to the development of azoturia (painful muscle cramps).
Increase Water Intake
According to the BHS guidelines horses can take on more than their normal water intake in hot weather. Did you know a 500kg horse can drink 20-30 litres of water a day that can increase to 50-60 litres in hot weather? Ways to increase your horses water intake:Â
- Soak hay. Introduce gradually to reduce the risk of colic.
- Aim for more than one water source that your horse has access to.
- Add flavour or enriching activities to encourage them to drink water.
- Make sure the water is fresh and changed daily.
Use Specialised Washes and Shampoos
When washing your horse to cool them down and remove the sweat and dirt from the day, use specialised washes and shampoos to help cool them down during after after washing. Products containing essential lavender oil or peppermint are great for refreshing your horse after exercise or a at the end of a hot day.Â
Provide Shade
If horse is turned out when the sun is present, provide shaded areas with trees or open shelters to ensure there is a space out of direct sun for your horse to cool down. But remember, the shade moves with the sun and parts of the field that are shaded at the start of the day won't be by the end of the day. Keep track of your fields shaded areas to optimal use.Â
Ventilate Stables
If a horse is stabled, especially during the day when it is normally the hottest, ensure there is adequate ventilation to keep the stables cool and prevent it from becoming hot and stuffy.Â
Exercise Your Horse At Dusk Or Dawn
The middle of the day is when the temperatures are usually at its highest. By exercising when the sun is at its lowest the temperatures will be cooler and far more enjoyable. While it is recommended to wear high-visibility at all times when on the road, it is particularly important when the sun begins to rise or set.Â
Know Your Horse
No one knows your horse better then you do! Keep an eye out for when they are not seeming themselves as they may be suffering from dehydration and/or heatstroke.Take appropiate action if something doesn't seem right.Â
