Beat the Heat: 10 Tips to Keep Your Horse Cool

With August ushering in the hottest month of the year in most parts of the country, it is crucial to prioritize your horse's health and comfort on those sweltering days. If you're feeling the heat, chances are your horse is too. Here are some essential tips to keep your equine partner happy and healthy during the summer heat!

1. Provide Fresh, Cool Water

Ensure your horse always has access to plenty of fresh, cool water. When stalling at an event, dump out leftover water and refill with fresh water several times a day. Consider hanging two buckets of water to reduce the chance of running out. BOSS Buckets are a great option for packing multiple buckets in your trailer without all the added bulk. If your horse is picky, try using a water filtration attachment or bring water from home. You can also add Zesterra to your horse's water to encourage drinking and promote hydration. According to the University of Minnesota, an adult horse weighing 1,000 pounds requires a minimum of 10 to 12 gallons of water each day.

Signs of Dehydration:

• Pinch Test: Pinch the skin on a horse’s neck/shoulder and observe how quickly it springs back. If the skin stays elevated for a few seconds, your horse may be dehydrated. 
• Eyes and Gums: Check for wrinkled eyelids and dull/glazed eyes. Look for dark red gums and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
• Behavior: Sluggish, lethargic, or depressed behavior, shallow panting, and a body temperature exceeding 102 degrees can indicate dehydration.

2. Provide Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential for horses that sweat heavily. A balanced electrolyte supplement helps replace what is lost through perspiration and encourages water consumption. Some great electrolyte options include OE Nutraceuticals' Revive paste, MVP's Electro-Cell II paste, and Draw It Out's Hydro-Lyte which can be fed as a top dressing or added to their water. When offering electrolyte-laced water, ensure there is also plain water available, as not all horses will drink electrolyte-laced water.

3. Reduce Workload

Monitor temperatures and humidity levels. Even if your horse is in great shape, be cautious when temperatures reach 90°F. Consider riding in the early morning or late evening to avoid peak heat. If at an event, reduce the workload or shorten warmup times. Always allow your horse to cool down slowly and remove tack as soon as possible.

4. Move the Air

Fans can significantly help keep the air moving if your horse is stalling at an event. Ensure cords and plugs are out of your horse’s reach and position the fan where your horse can comfortably stand in the stall. Fan bags are a great option for helping you position and secure your fan. 

5. Shade is Your Friend

Provide relief from the sun by ensuring your horse has access to shade, whether at a day event or while stalling for the weekend. Sometimes it can be cooler outside at your horse trailer than in a stall barn. If possible, tie your horse to the trailer for natural airflow and shade.

6. Hose Off Your Horse

Hosing your horse off with water can help keep them cool and relaxed. Use cool, running water, or sponge liberal amounts of water over their entire body until the water running off is no longer hot. Make sure to scrape off excess water to aid in cooling. Using liniments, muds, and gels to help pull heat out of your horse's legs and muscles is beneficial at all times of year, but especially when it's excessively hot. Draw It Out makes a multitude of different products to help your horse recover in the heat. For those who prefer a mud application, IceTight makes a great poultice. 

7. Promptly Remove Leg Wraps

While leg protection is crucial in some disciplines, promptly removing sport medicine boots or wraps after a run can help alleviate your horse’s legs from heat. Many sport boots are made with light and breathable materials, but it’s still essential to give your horse's legs a break from the heat. Applying ice boots or Coolaid wraps to your horse's legs will help pull out even more heat as well as reducing inflammation and promoting recovery.

8. Know the Signs of Heat Stroke

Heat stress can easily lead to heat stroke, which occurs when horses are exposed to excessive heat that their bodies cannot handle. Signs of heat stress/stroke include rectal temperatures above 103°F, increased heart and breathing rates, profuse sweating, droopy ears, tiredness, dehydration, and reduced feed intake. If you suspect your horse is having a heat stroke, contact your veterinarian immediately and start cooling your horse by spraying them with cool water, especially in areas where blood vessels are more prominent.

9. Additional TipsProvide Free Access to Clean Water: Always ensure unlimited access to clean, cool water.

• Reduce Ride Time and Intensity: Avoid riding when the combined temperature and relative humidity is over 150.
• Provide Relief from the Sun: Use shade from trees or buildings and protect your horse from sunburn.
• Consider Electrolytes: Offer electrolytes, especially if your horse is sweating heavily, and always provide plain water as an alternative.
• Improve Airflow: Use fans to speed up cooling, and consider misting fans for more effective cooling.
• Transport During Cooler Times: Ensure trailers are well-ventilated and offer water frequently. Don’t park in direct sunlight with horses inside.

10. Cooling an Overheated Horse

To cool an overheated horse (rectal temperatures above 103°F), spray the horse’s head, back, neck, rump, and legs with cool water until they are cool. Adding ice to the water can speed up cooling for very hot horses. Always focus on areas where blood vessels are more prominent and avoid applying ice water directly over large muscles.

By following these tips, you can help your horse stay cool and comfortable during the heat of summer, ensuring their health and well-being are maintained. Message us on Facebook, or give us a call at the store if you have any questions or want help picking out the very best heat-busting products!