Beat the Heat - Ways To Cool Your Horse
For many riders, it's a challenge in the blazing summer heat to keep our equine pals cool and comfortable. Here are a few things that you can do to cool your horse off!
Hydration Hacks
Even though the saying goes “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink”, we find that some heavy persuasion can often do the trick. It is essential to keep your horse well hydrated on hot days, and constantly providing plenty of clean, cool water is the best thing you can do to cool your horse off. The fresh water is an invitation to take a big gulp. Hanging a salt lick in his stall will encourage drinking (aren’t you thirsty after eating salty potato chips?) and will replace nutrients lost from sweating. If they're still reluctant, we find that mixing a little apple juice in the water provides some pretty tasty encouragement.
Pieces of watermelon are a fantastic hydrating treat to offer on hot days; the fruit is 90% water and the natural sugar is delicious.
Sun Shade
Avoiding the hot sun on sweltering days is a must. Horses should have access to shade at all times when turned out, whether it be a run-in shed, access to their stalls, or a shady tree. If this isn’t possible, you may want to consider keeping your horse in on hot days. They won’t be happy baking in the sun.
Fly Patrol
It’s also best to work your horse either early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is the least intense. Don’t forget to spray on some UltraShield® before you go out! The flies love heat and humidity, and can make a summer ride particularly miserable.
We like UltraShield® Sport on hot days because it won’t come off when your horse starts to sweat.
Cool Water
The hose is one of the best weapons you can arm yourself with during a heat wave. Cool your horse off by showering them after work outs, turn out, or any time they start to swelter, is an instant cool down. If your horse isn’t used to being hosed off, start slowly and let them get used to the cool water. Some target areas are their chest, neck, and shoulder muscles, large veins on the insides of their back legs, and any sweaty spots where tack has been. Don’t forget to take a sweat scraper to them afterwards; removing excess water allows air to reach the skin to cool them faster, and gets rid of annoying drips.
Be careful not to get water in the ears!
Liniment Rinse
If you want to give your horse the ultimate cool down after a tough summer work out, an Absorbine® CoolDown bath is refreshing and soothing for their muscles. Dilute just 1 ounce in a gallon of water. Then apply the solution to your wet horse with a sponge, massaging it into muscles.
Nothing beats the cooling sensation of an Absorbine® CoolDown bath on a hot day!
Air Stream
In the barn, keep that air moving! Open the doors and windows to increase ventilation. Run the ceiling fans if you have them to create a breeze and allow air to circulate. Setting up other sturdy fans in the aisle ways, or in front of horses’ stalls, will provide significant relief from stagnant air. Most horses will wallow in such a luxury, planting themselves in front of the fan, mane whipping in the breeze. Just be sure your fans meet safety regulations and receive the approval of the barn owner. It’s also safe to make sure they are always kept free of cobwebs and debris, electrical cords are off the ground, and outlets remain out of reach.
Absorbine friend, JoJo, feelin’ the breeze!
Hope these tips help your horses keep their cool all summer long.