The temperatures are soaring. Your poor horses are sweating in the heat. What are some strategies that can be implemented to help make them more comfortable?
➡ Shade:
Shade is critically important to help the horses cool. Shade from trees usually provide greater cooling to the air temperatures because the trees release water vapor into the air. However, if you don’t have sufficient shade from trees, or if they are young trees without sufficient height or leaf cover, then it’s important to have shade from a run-in or a barn.
➡ Air flow:
Air flow helps evaporative cooling. If your horses are in a barn during the day, a fan is a welcome addition to increase air flow. It’s important that the fan has a sealed motor for increased safety. Also be sure that the fan is positioned so that the horse won't get hurt.
➡ Evaporative cooling:
Horses cool by evaporation. To help maximize the natural cooling effect, you can
» Body clip the horse if the horse’s coat is long
» Refrain from using a fly sheet
» Cold water hose, to help cool the horse
» Consider a misting system if you're in a dry area.
➡ Reduce heat production:
On hot days, be sure to work your horse either before the heat sets in, or in the evening after it cools down. Exercise produces heat, which will further stress the horse.
➡ Transport during the coolest hours:
Don’t forget that during transportation, the trailer can get very hot. For greater comfort, haul your horse in the coolest hours of the day. For increased air circulation, open vents and windows, if they are safe. (You don't want the horse jumping out the window, or debris hitting them in the face.) Because heating is so common, be sure to transport your horse without a fly sheet.
➡ Water and Electrolytes:
Horses lose a tremendous amount of sweat to keep cool. A horse in light work will lose about a gallon of sweat an hour. In heavy work, the horse can lose up to 4 gallons of sweat in that same hour. Be sure to have water and electrolytes (or salt) available for the horse.
If you add electrolytes to the water, be sure to have clean, fresh water also available.
Verify that the automatic waterer is not in a place that the sun will beat down on it. Water in a small waterer can become too hot to drink.
➡ Overheating:
If your horse is panting in the heat, hose off the horse with cold water. It’s important to help the heat dissipate, so hose the horse for 10 minutes instead of just getting the horse wet. When you’re done hosing the horse, don’t use a sweat scraper, because research conducted last year shows that the horse cools faster if the water is left on the coat.
We cope the best that we can in the heat. We need to help our horses, too.
Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
©Joan Kulifay 2024