When the summer temperatures rise we all rush for the shade. Equestrians also have to answer ‘how can I keep my horse cool this summer?’ This is not only a question of your horse’s comfort, but also a welfare concern.
Horses thermoneutral zone is normally considered to be 5°C – 25°C. Above this, horses can become dehydrated, lethargic, and suffer from heat stress. With summer temperatures rising, we all need to consider how to keep our equine friends comfortable.
There are several ways to provide your horse with a comfortable environment. Some involve considerable investment, whilst others can be achieved with a more modest outlay. In this article we review 10 ways that you can help your horse. How to keep horses cool:
1/. Provide Shade
Stables: If you are lucky enough to be able to provide stone or brick stables; these are the coolest option for high summer temperatures. Stabling during the day, and allowing your horse to graze in the cooler night time temperatures can ensure that they are not overwhelmed by the midday heat. Wooden stables, unless in a sheltered and breezy area, can be warmer inside than the outside temperatures! Planning and financial considerations though often preclude a horse owner from going down this route.
Trees: If your paddock doesn’t already have shade provided by a large tree, it may be worth thinking of adding one or two for shade in the summer, and shelter in the winter. This of course in not a quick fix, but using the right variety for your circumstance could provide long term benefits – and there’s no time like the present! Willow for example grows quickly, helps with drainage, and is the horse equivalent of aspirin, allowing your horse to self-medicate.
Hedging: Adding a hedge line, if there isn’t one already present can be a boon both in summer and in winter. It can also increase biodiversity, providing a habitat for multiple species, but also, if positioned correctly, provide shade for your horses in the heat of the day.
If you are lucky enough to have an historic hedge, but in the ‘wrong’ paddock, see if you can rearrange your grazing so that summer high heat levels can be avoided. You do not need to give the whole hedge line, just sufficient so that your horse/s can all fit comfortably.
Sail: If trees and hedging are not possible, through finances, or time constraints, then putting up a shade sail may be the best option. These are relatively inexpensive, but will need to be strongly secured to high posts; which may be best to install when the ground is more yielding rather than in parched soil that is effectively like concrete to excavate in. If a shade sail isn’t what you’re after, then a 3 sided wind block made from wooden panels will not only provide shade throughout the day depending upon where the shadow falls, but could also be placed in a way that allows shelter from winter winds.
If the costs and time problems mean that providing long term shelter is not possible then using a number of other mechanisms is also a possibility:
2/. Fans
Fans can be used both inside stables/stalls, but also out in the paddock to give a little relief from the hot sun.
Solar: Even if you don’t have access to mains electric, solar fans have improved to such an extent that they can now be used successfully outside too, and their charge complemented by solar batteries with the added bonus of being able to charge your mobile phone and other gadgets.
Mains: If you have the benefit of having access to mains power then the world is your oyster. You can put brilliant fans throughout your stables and walk-in barns that are powerful enough to really make a difference.
Ice: If you are able to find a fan that works with your set-up, then putting a bowl of ice underneath can cool the flowing air and make it even better. Failing ice, then using cold water will have a similar effect.
Using a fan can help your horse keep cool in the summer heat and humidity.
Some people are concerned about fans failing, or trapping hair, or otherwise not working to the perceived potential.
Using a mister can stop the worry about fans and still provide a cooling helping hand to your horses.
3/. Mister/Sprinkler
Running a mister line along the top of your barn can allow your horses to choose whether they use the water spray and cool down, or whether they’re happy in the shade, or even in the full sun.
Sprinklers also can have the same effect and are widely available. Having access to a mains water supply, and not minding the ongoing cost is obviously necessary in this scenario.
For both fans and misters, adding a motion sensor can save both power and water.
4/. Cold Hosing/Cooling Spray
Hosing during the heat of the day can cool off your horse rapidly. The most up to date information means that you no longer need to sponge or scrape off the excess water, but simply let the horse dry and cool off under a shady section of yard or a tree. Recent studies have shown that leaving the water to site on the skin actually cools the horse more quickly than multiple buckets of water and scraping off the excess several times. If your horse has pink skin this is still the best option and it is unlikely that your hose will suffer sunburn as the water will evaporate well before this is a probability.
If you’re at a show, or don’t have access to a hose and unlimited water, then using a cooling spray can be the best short term option to bring your horse’s temperature down. These also often contain fly repelling ingredients and smell amazing.
5/. Fly Rugs
If your horse needs to wear fly rugs you may worry about the extra layer making them even hotter than they otherwise would be. This can be combatted by hosing your rug – this is best achieved when the rug is actually on the horse as soaking rugs are heavy and unwieldy to put on. Alternatively, if you don’t fancy a dripping rug, and you live within a reasonable distance of where your horse is kept, then putting your rug in a freezer overnight can give instant relief to a hot horse. The additional evaporation will cool them further, and a frozen rug will be easier to handle than wet rugs.
6/. Ice Cubes/Fruit
So far we have been concentrating on cooling the horse from the outside in, but the opposite can also help. Most of us reach for a cool drink or an ice-cream when temperatures rise, so why not use the same premise with horses?
With their high water contents, cucumber and watermelon are wonderful rehydrators and happily eaten by our equine friends. Freezing them into cubes will slow down eating and aid slow cooling.
Putting ice cubes into your trough or water bucket will bring down the temperatures and may help to encourage your horse to drink. Adding electrolytes will help to restore those lost through sweating in the heat.
7/. Fruit/Veg/Feeding
As above, fruits and veg with high water contents are a great addition to your horse’s diet in the hot weather. This is because some horses are reluctant to drink when it’s hot. Providing a little extra (little being the operative word) and adding extra water to their feeds will help them stay cooler for longer.
8/. Hydration
When it’s very hot, and your horse is sweating, either through heat or exercise, it’s very important to ensure that they are sufficiently hydrated. It’s easy for them to rapidly become dehydrated which can bring about ill-health in a very short amount of time.
Adding electrolytes and salt to your horse’s water will encourage them to drink more, and keep them in a healthy state.
Providing a water buffet with different ingredients can encourage drinking and also provide a wide range of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that your horse requires.
9/. Paddling Pool
You may find that during long periods of hot weather your horse’s hooves become brittle and dry. You can help them maintain hoof health by regularly administering hoof oil/cream to combat dryness. However, a stream, or pond, within your paddocks can help immensely and add enrichment to your horse’s life. This is not always possible though, so providing a paddling pool is also a brilliant and inexpensive option. It probably won’t last after the hot period, but the outlay for a paddling pool is far less than the groundwork costs of providing a year round pond that needs regular cleaning and can provide the perfect habitat for annoying flying insects.
10/. Exercise Early Morning/Late Evening
For keeping horse cool in the summer, check your weather forecast in advance. Although midday is often considered to be the time of highest temperatures, quite often temperatures peak later in the afternoon. If you’re an early bird, try riding in the early morning and leave the chores until later. If you’re a night owl, take advantage of the lighter evenings and ride before dusk to keel your horse cool.
All of the above will help with keeping horses cool in extreme heat. However, keep an eye out for heat stress. If your horse seems overly lethargic, develops an unusually high temperature, and/or actually stops sweating, then you need to notice quickly and immediately act¹. The best way to cool horses is to move them into a shaded area and hose with cold water. Don’t scrape off the excess, just hose until their temperature reduces. If you are worried in any way, contact your vet.
Conclusion
Keeping horses cool in the heat doesn’t have to be expensive and difficult. A few small changes to your routine, and planning how to cool a horse ahead of time can make everything less stressful. Exercising and turning out at different times when it’s cooler, and making batches of ice and fruit cubes ahead of time will save time later and ensure that you are always perfectly prepared. Hosing rugs before turnout and investing in a mister or fan will help keep your horses comfortable and less likely to have heat-related illnesses.
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