Summer Care for Your Horse: 5 Practical Tips
In summer, temperatures can rise quickly. While this isn’t necessarily a problem for horses—they’re quite good at regulating body heat through sweating—extended periods of heat or strong sun can increase the risk of heat stress, dehydration, or reduced performance. These issues can develop quickly, especially during training, competitions, or transport.
Fortunately, with a few simple adjustments, you can do a lot to keep your horse cool, healthy, and comfortable on hot days.
1. Adjust Your Schedule
When temperatures climb, timing is everything. Avoid the hottest part of the day—usually between 12:00 and 18:00—for intense training or riding. Instead, plan activities early in the morning or later in the evening when it's cooler.
Also reduce the intensity of your sessions: keep them shorter, build in enough rest breaks, and focus on lighter work. This is especially important for horses that are sensitive to heat or already showing signs of fatigue.
After riding, remove the saddle, saddle pad, and any leg protection as soon as possible. These trap heat and slow down the cooling process.
2. Provide Plenty of Clean, Cool Drinking Water
Water is always essential—but even more so on hot days. An adult horse typically drinks 20 to 30 liters per day, but in hot weather this can easily rise to 40 liters or more. Make sure your horse has unlimited access to fresh, cool water, both in the stable and in the field.
Check that water troughs are large enough, cleaned regularly, and refilled with fresh water. Warm or dirty water is less appealing and might lead to your horse drinking less. If your horse is turned out in a group, ensure there are multiple drinking points so lower-ranking horses have access too.
3. Provide Shade and Airflow
Direct sunlight with no shelter can quickly turn a paddock into an oven. Make sure there’s enough shade—ideally a shelter, but a row of trees or a sturdy shade cloth can also help.
For stabled horses, good ventilation is key. A well-ventilated barn helps keep temperatures bearable and prevents stuffiness.
4. Support with Electrolytes
Sweating doesn’t just cause fluid loss, it also depletes essential salts like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes are vital for maintaining hydration, muscle function, and recovery. For sport horses or those that sweat heavily, it’s a good idea to supplement with electrolytes.
5. Cool Down Actively After Activity
After exercise, it’s important to help your horse cool down. Hosing down with lukewarm or cool water is a simple and effective way to do this. Start at the legs and gradually move up toward the neck, chest, and body. This helps your horse adjust to the temperature change and prevents startling.
In Conclusion
Hot days require a little extra care. With thoughtful planning, access to water, proper cooling, and recovery support, you can help your horse stay fresh, healthy, and comfortable—even in the height of summer.