You should consider a few things when looking after your horses in summer as the higher temperatures can be uncomfortable for them. We’ve talked about caring for horses in winter, but now it’s time to discuss what you should do during the warmer months.
When Is It Too Hot For Horses?
Summer poses various risks to horses, especially when you don’t implement the necessary measures. You might feel that the warmer weather is the ideal time to take your horses out for a ride, but the opposite is often true.
What is classified as a dangerous temperature varies depending on their physical condition and age. However, the high 20°C is generally the point at which you should start taking extra care.
When the temperature rises, rethink heavy exercise or competitions. Also, ensure there’s proper shelter in places with higher temperatures, or that are exposed to the sun.
Signs Your Horse is Struggling With the Heat
Signs that your horse suffers in the heat include shallow and fast breathing and lack of energy. They’ll also experience a dip in their appetite, with reduced drinking, eating, and urinating.
Horses can also show signs of muscle spasms, joint issues, poor performance, and elevated heart rate. Other things to look for include dark urine and summer skin conditions in horses, as we’ll highlight below.
Keep an Eye Out for Fly Bites and Sores
One of the worst things about the summer heat is that it is the perfect breeding ground for irritating pests such as flies and midges. not only do these insects cause irritation and 'worry' to horses, but they can also bite - causing a variety of reactions. Some bites can be itchy due to an allergic reaction, in particular midge bites, which can cause the condition 'sweet itch' in some horses or ponies. When bites become itchy, the horse will rub and create a sore, which can then become infected as well. Fly bites can also rub against tack, causing sores or discomfort.
Six Tips to Care for Horses in Summer
You should know how to keep a horse cool in summer and implement methods of keeping them comfortable. We discuss six tips for caring for your horse and examine preventative measures you can take.
Increase Water Intake
As with humans, horses require increased water intake while out and about in the heat.
Ensure they have access to clean water. On hot days, a 500kg horse can drink up to 60 litres of water. Water keeps a horse’s gut and digestive system healthy and prevents conditions that can lead to colic and other diseases.
Provide Shaded Shelter
If you don’t like standing out in the blazing sun for hours on end, you can imagine that your horse won’t enjoy it either. Ensure proper shelter from the sun is available at all times and whilst you might believe trees are enough, the moving sun can change or eliminate the possible shade.
Instead, build a proper shelter. If you move them to the stables during the hottest part of the day, ensure the stables are adequately ventilated. Stuffy and hot stables can cause heat stroke as quickly as being out in the field can.
Reduce Exposure to Flies
It’s critical to reduce horses’ exposure to flies including midges. Flies are highly irritating to horses and can cause horses to rub their skin or develop sores.
Fly sheets and masks are one way to keep flies away, but there’s also fly-repellent spray. Keep your paddocks as clean as possible and consider putting your horses out at night instead of during the day. Midges will be worse at dawn and dusk and are especially bad in wooded areas next to streams and rivers - - try to reduce exposure at these times and locations.
Prevent Sunburn
Horses can also get sunburn, especially ones with a lighter skin, such as white or grey, or pink. Frequently smear horse sunblock on unpigmented and exposed hairless skin, like the horse’s muzzle. Avoid the skin around the eyes.
Provide Nutritious Grazing
The changes in weather may be leaving you wondering what to feed your horse or pony in the summer. Keep an eye on their body condition score. Some will do just fine with grass, while others might need additional calories. If your grass is doing well in the heat, you may need to find less calorie-rich grass for grazing, monitoring your horse’s nutrition helps prevent laminitis and similar conditions found in overweight animals.
Adjust Your Horse’s Activity
Ensure your horse’s activity levels are reduced during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, ride and travel with them during the day's cooler times to prevent heatstroke and other adverse effects. Consider hosing or sponging down your horse if the temperature rises significantly, as this will help keep them cool.
Other Advice
If you’re wondering, “Can you clip a horse in summer?” then consider the type of horse/pony, and their current coat. If their summer coat has come through, then usually this will suffice; but if they still have some of their thick winter coat remaining in the hot weather then it would be worth considering clipping them out.
Other advice we have for you is:
- Provide a salt lick to replace nutrients
- Use a nose net for horses irritated by pollen
- Enhance your hoof care to prevent dry hooves
Safeguard Your Horses in Summer
Caring for horses in summer and knowing how to keep them cool is essential. The heat affects not only their comfort but also their overall health. Our expert tips will help ensure your horses are safe and comfortable during the year’s hottest months.
