Whether or not you choose to exercise or compete your horse in hot weather is a personal decision and there are a number of factors to consider, including his age, fitness and whether he has any health conditions. Some horses are also better able to cope with heat than others, so consider what's most appropriate for your individual horse.
If you do choose to carry on exercising or competing him, there are a variety of steps you can take to manage his welfare and give him the best chance to handle the higher temperatures.
Please note these are suggestions and may not be appropriate for every equine. If you have any concerns about your horse's health, please speak to your vet.
Feed and water
- Add the recommended quantity of salt or electrolytes to your horse’s diet if you don’t already.
- Consider feeding soaked hay to aid hydration. You could also soaked apples and carrots in water to increase water intake.
- Monitor your horse’s regular water intake, so you know what’s normal – most drink less away from home
- Put extra water buckets and a salt lick in the stable.
We suggest discussing any potential dietary changes with your vet or a qualified equine nutritionist.
Travel
- Plan your journey and travel as early or late as possible to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Carry plenty of water with you in case of a breakdown or unexpected traffic delays.
- Where safe to do so, open windows and vents and use fans to maximise air flow.
- Allow extra time on arrival so your horse can cool down and recover before you start your activity.
Exercise and Competition
- Keep riding in the run-up to the event, so your horse can adjust to higher temperatures
- Know your horse’s usual temperature so you can spot if he starts to overheat
- Don’t over-work your horse – if he’s struggling, stop before he becomes poorly.
- Minimise warm up times and take more breaks than usual.
Cooling Down
- Remove tack quickly after exercise or competition.
- Sponge your horse down or apply continuous cool water all over his body.
- Scraping isn’t a necessary part of cooling – instead, focus on applying more water.
- Keep your horse walking while you cool him to aid circulation and help him cool more effectively.
- The more of your horse's surface that’s cooled, the more effective the cooling process.
Additional resources
Hot weather care tips from World Horse Welfare
FEI Guidance for horses and athletes in thermally challenging environments
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