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The first summer heatwave can surprise even an experienced rider. It seems that since a horse works normally all year round, it will cope on a hot day too. Meanwhile, research shows the opposite: a horse does not adapt to high temperatures overnight. Full adaptation to working in a hot climate usually takes 10 to 14 days, and sometimes up to three weeks. During this time, sweating efficiency improves, and circulation and electrolyte balance stabilize.
Table of Contents
- Water: the foundation we never restrict
- Not just temperature: why humidity can be more dangerous
- Shade, ventilation and easy breathing
- Transport in the heat: additional thermal load
- When to train and when to give up
- Why should cooling down last longer in the heat?
- Electrolytes: mineral support, not an optional extra
- How to properly cool down the entire body
- Cooling legs: don't forget them after every effort
- Horses in a special risk group
- When to call the vet immediately
- Summary
That is why the first heatwaves after a cooler period and the first summer competitions require special consideration. Overheating the body is not just a decrease in performance. It is a real risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and in extreme cases, heatstroke. Below you will find a concrete action plan for hot days: from hydration, through training planning, to proper cooling of the body and legs.
Water: the foundation we never restrict
This seems obvious, but in practice, it is often neglected. In hot weather, a horse can drink from 25 to even 70 liters of water a day, and with intense exercise or at competitions, even more.
The key rule: never restrict access to water for fear of colic. Modern research does not confirm that watering a horse after exercise itself increases the risk of colic. It is much more sensible to allow the horse to drink often and in small portions, rather than leading to dehydration or such intense thirst that the animal will take a very large amount of water at once.
Not just temperature: why humidity can be more dangerous?
A horse dissipates excess heat in several ways, but during exercise and in high temperatures, evaporation is most important, both of sweat and of water we pour on it. The transition of water from liquid to vapor absorbs a lot of heat from the body surface, which is why this mechanism is the most effective in cooling the body.
The effectiveness of evaporation increases with air movement. A light breeze or a fan after water cooling helps the horse get rid of excess heat faster. However, there is another side to the coin: when air humidity is high, sweat evaporates much worse. As a result, 28°C with high humidity can be more burdensome for a horse than a dry 33°C. Stuffy, humid days are often more difficult for horses than very hot but dry ones, and this should be taken into account when planning work.
Shade, ventilation and easy breathing
A horse in the paddock should have the opportunity to take shelter in the shade. In the stable, ensure good ventilation, open windows, and real air circulation.
On hot days, breathing comfort is of great importance. High temperature, dust, and air that is too dry or too humid worsen the work of the respiratory tract. Stalls at competitions, enclosed spaces, and the interior of a trailer can be particularly unfavorable.
In such conditions, spraying with Over Horse Deep Breath in the stall and inside the trailer or horsebox can be helpful. They help create a more friendly environment for the respiratory tract, especially on hot and humid days. A manual sprayer with a 2 l pump will be useful for even distribution of the liquid, which will also work well when wetting the horse with water.
Transport in the heat: additional thermal load
Speaking of trailers: transport itself is an additional thermal effort for the horse. A few simple rules actually reduce the risk of overheating:
- plan trips early in the morning or late in the evening,
- on longer routes, make stops for watering,
- ensure good ventilation of the trailer,
- upon arrival, allow the horse to rest and drink water before starting training or competition.
Will you be transporting a horse for the first time? Check out our complete guide.
When to train and when to give up?
If you have the opportunity, shift your work to cooler times of the day: early morning, late afternoon, or evening. The greatest risk of overheating and dehydration occurs between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. During this time, it is advisable to minimize intense exertion, and in truly high temperatures, simply forgo intense work.
Why should cooling down last longer in the heat?
After training or competition, don't rush to take your horse back to the stable. In high temperatures, the body needs more time to lower its heart rate, calm circulation, reduce respiratory rate, and begin effective heat dissipation.
Therefore, cooling down should often last longer than on cooler days, even 20 to 30 minutes, or until breathing and heart rate clearly calm down. Only then do we move on to gradual cooling and post-exercise care. If the horse returns to normal much slower than usual, treat it as a warning sign indicating that the effort may have been too great or the body is not coping with the temperature.
Electrolytes: mineral support, not an optional extra
A horse cools down primarily through sweating. However, with sweat, it loses not only water but also valuable electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. These are responsible for the proper functioning of muscles, the nervous system, and maintaining proper hydration.
In hot weather, supplementing electrolytes is worth considering for every horse, not just sport horses. Even animals on the paddock or performing light work can lose significant amounts of minerals.
When to administer electrolytes?
On hot days and during intense exercise, it is best to administer electrolytes in the morning and evening. The reason is twofold:
- the horse then has more time to drink water calmly, and electrolytes increase water intake, especially sodium stimulates thirst, regulates fluid distribution, and allows tissues to retain water, which effectively prevents dehydration,
- you replenish minerals before the hottest part of the day and after a full day of sweating.
You can choose Over Horse Electro Horse electrolytes, also available in a smaller 1.5 kg package, convenient for competitions or travel. Remember the overriding principle: along with electrolytes, the horse must always have constant access to fresh, clean water.
How to properly cool down the entire body?
After training or competition, time is of the essence; cooling should begin as soon as possible. However, it is important to do it correctly.
Never douse the horse with ice-cold water. Use lukewarm water. If you only have cold water, start with the legs and gradually move the stream upwards every few minutes, towards the shoulder, chest, and neck. Leave the back and hindquarters for last.
After rinsing, remove excess water with a sweat scraper, and if the horse is still hot, douse it again. This cycle can be repeated several times.
Why don't we leave a thick layer of water on the coat?
Counter-intuitively, wet hair itself does not cool. If a horse drenched in water stands without air movement at 35°C, after a few minutes the water will heat up almost to skin temperature. If it does not evaporate, the cooling effect is minimal.
Water only cools when it is cooler than the skin and draws heat from it, or when it evaporates. In the past, it was recommended to leave the horse completely wet. Today we know that excess heated water on the coat acts as insulation and limits heat dissipation. It is more effective to continuously remove heated water and replace it with fresh water.
In practice, this means a simple scheme:
- pour plenty of cool (not ice-cold) water on the horse,
- remove excess water with a sweat scraper,
- if necessary, pour fresh water again,
- if possible, ensure air flow (fan, light breeze).
In addition to rinsing with water, cooling preparations are helpful, as they provide a refreshing effect on the skin and improve the horse's thermal comfort. During competitions, when conditions do not allow for full body cooling, cooling wraps work well, helping to reduce the feeling of overheating between competitions.
Cooling legs: don't forget them after every effort
During work, horse limbs are heavily loaded, and high ambient temperature and heat accumulating under protectors and bandages further increase the risk of injury. Research indicates that skin temperature above 45°C can damage collagen fibers in tendons, and the range of 48 to 52°C leads to denaturation of collagen proteins, which weakens tendons.
Therefore, after exercise, it is worth taking care of the legs in one of two ways:
- cool water (not ice-cold) for about 20 minutes on each leg, with the stream directed upwards from the hoof,
- cooling preparations, which, in addition to the cooling effect, support post-exercise recovery of the limbs, such as Over Horse cooling gel for rubbing.
An alternative to dousing with water are reusable solutions. The Zandona Thermoboot therapeutic protector allows tendons to be cooled in a controlled manner, without spilling water all over the stable, which is especially convenient at competitions and after intense training.
The entire assortment for care and regeneration can be found in the Over Horse brand offer.
Horses in a special risk group
Heat is a challenge for every horse, but some animals are more susceptible to overheating and dehydration. The high-risk group includes:
- foals and young horses, whose thermoregulation mechanisms are not yet fully developed,
- older horses, whose water-electrolyte balance and cooling efficiency may be reduced,
- overweight horses, as a larger amount of fat tissue hinders heat dissipation,
- horses with respiratory, circulatory diseases or metabolic disorders, who tolerate high temperatures and exertion less well,
- less trained horses or those not adapted to heat, who need more time to adjust.
In their case, exercise special caution: plan work only during cooler times of the day, carefully observe breathing, heart rate, and behavior, and react immediately to the first signs of fatigue. In case of doubt, it is better to shorten the training than to expose the horse to excessive strain. If you want to better recognize health signals in your horse, our compendium on horse diseases, which describes the most common ailments and ways to prevent them, will be helpful.
When to call the vet immediately?
Some symptoms indicate that the horse's body is no longer coping with the temperature. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you notice that the horse:
- has a very high heart rate that lasts for an extended period,
- breathes very quickly and heavily,
- stops sweating despite high temperatures,
- is lethargic or unsteady.
These could be symptoms of developing heatstroke, a situation where every minute counts.
Summary
A healthy horse in summer is not just about well-planned training. It is primarily about sensible temperature management, consistent hydration, electrolyte replenishment, and effective body and leg cooling. Such prevention is much simpler and safer than treating the effects of overheating. Take care of these basics, and your horse will go through the hottest days in good shape.
