Summer can be an amazing season for you and your horse to enjoy the warmer weather together. However, just like other animals, horses can easily get dehydrated and suffer from heat exhaustion. Some signs that your horse might be suffering in the heat include rapid breathing, eating or drinking less, muscle spasms, and an elevated heart rate. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent these symptoms and keep your horse happy and cool all summer long:
- Always have water available
Horses usually drink up to 55 litres of water a day, which can be even more in the summer! Instead of providing a few buckets, you can invest in an automatic watering system or troughs. You can also provide free access to salt to promote drinking.
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- Access to shade
Whether it is from the natural shade of trees or man-made, shade is very important, especially for elderly horses and foals.
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- Ride during cooler times of the day
Make sure to avoid riding during the hottest part of the day (11 am – 4 pm).
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- Soothe irritations with our Horse Gel
If the sun is affecting your horse’s skin and you notice any dry or irritated patches, you can use our calming Horse Gel to discourage your horse from biting, scratching, or rubbing the area – giving it time to heal. It forms a soft layer over the skin to lock in moisture and protect long-term.
- Say yes to cold showers
Bathing your horse with cold water will immediately reduce its body temperature. Use a gentle, nourishing shampoo, like our Horse Shampoo, which is designed to support the maintenance of healthy skin. Don’t forget to use a sweat scraper to remove as much excess water as possible; if left on the skin, it can heat up and cause discomfort.
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- Instantly cool with our Horse Spray
Its fine liquid sinks in instantly and provides hydration. Enriched with cooling ingredients such as peppermint and eucalyptus, it can be used alone or after bathing to soothe itchiness and strengthen the skin. Hack: many of our customers use it before riding to naturally repel insects due to the essential oils in it.
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- Prevent sunburn
Horses with pink areas of skin can experience sunburn. You can use a child-safe SPF50 once a day on these areas to prevent sunburn symptoms. You can also invest in a fly rug with UV protection to prevent sun bleaching while keeping your horse cool and insect-free.
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- Consider adding electrolytes to their diet
Electrolytes serve a dual purpose during the summer months: they can help replace salt and minerals lost through sweating and encourage your horse to drink more water.
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We hope these tips were helpful in ensuring you and your horse get through the hot summer weather safely and comfortably. You can learn more about our Horse Range here.
Important: Horses suffering from heat stress and heatstroke need immediate cooling. Heatstroke is an emergency, which can lead to unsteadiness on the feet, collapse or even kidney, liver and muscle damage. If your horse is experiencing any of these signs, call your vet immediately for advice.
