Hot Weather Riding Tips - Cameo Fencing
Posted by Whiskey River Media on
Horses evolved in colder, drier climates, and they can struggle to keep their body temperatures cool in our Maryland summers. Horses normally cool themselves by sweating, the evaporating sweat creates a cooling effect. When the humidity is high, however, sweat does not evaporate and a horse can overheat. This chart shows the effect of heat and humidity on a horse’s ability to cool itself.
HOW HOT IS TOO HOT?
Veterinarians recommend that you avoid riding altogether in hot and humid weather. If you must ride:
- ride in the early morning or late evening,
- ride in the shade,
- keep the work light, take frequent breaks and
- DO NOT RIDE when the combined temperature and humidity exceeds 150.
SOURCE: University of Minnesota Extension
TO SCRAPE OR NOT TO SCRAPE
In 2019, the FEI advised against scraping a horse after bathing. Also that year, researchers in Australia found "no cooling effect" of scraping following rapid cold-water application. The moment the water is scraped off, the cooling effect of the water stops and the horse's internal temperature begins to rise again. The most effective way to cool down a horse is to bathe the horse:
- in 8 gallons of cold water every minute
- for five minutes
- without scraping
BOOTS OR NO BOOTS?
Leg wraps insulate the legs and raise their internal temperature. Heat can damage the superficial digital flexor tendon. Equine scientists studied different types of wraps:
- Traditional, perforated, and Stomatex neoprene boots.
- Cross Country boots.
- Elastic Track Bandages.
- Fleece polo wraps.
TIPS FOR BEATING THE HEAT
We are deep into the summer and that means things are heating up! Summer in Maryland also means kids riding outside at summer camps, riders of all ages competing across the state, and recreational riders hitting the trails more often with the longer daylight hours.
So how do we be sure to keep ourselves and our horses cool during these summer months?
TIPS TO KEEP RIDERS & HORSES COOL
- Ride and do barn chores in the early morning and late evening when possible.
- Avoid riding altogether if the combined temperature and humidity is above 150 degrees.
- Keep reusable water bottles half full in the freezer and then fill with more water when taking them out to drink.
- Make sure horses have access to cool, fresh water at all times.
- Provide salt blocks or supplement salt to encourage horses to drink more.
- Set up fans near the edge of the arena and take breaks in front of them when riding.
- Keep rides light and short.
- Hose down your horse before you ride and then ride while your horse is still wet.
- Bathe your horse after you ride with cold running water and let the horse air dry.
- Shade! Ride in a covered, well-ventilated arena or in a shaded field or trails.
- Be sure horses have access to shade when out on pasture too.
- If horses are in stalls during the day, be sure the barn is well ventilated with doors and windows open. Fans are a great way to keep air moving as well. (For fire safety, use only sealed motor fans approved for agricultural use.)
For more information or to chat with an expert, contact us here at Cameo Fencing. We love talking horses!