Helping horses ease into warmer weather
If you’re somewhere cool right now… I envy you.
Here in southern Arizona, we hit 100° yesterday and even as a self-proclaimed Lizard, I’m not ready for summer quite yet. But, it’s here regardless of whether I’m ready or not.
So, how can we help our equine partners ease into the warm season most comfortably?
Here are my top tips:
Avoid major feed changes.
Horses have a fickle digestive tract to begin with and its compounded during weather changes. Avoid changes in feed (e.g. switching from bermuda to alfalfa) until the weather stabilizes and/or we are a few weeks into the new temps.
Salt, salt, salt (and electrolytes!).
Most horses don’t consume enough salt through forage, grain, and mineral alone. As it warms up and horses begin sweating more, consider adding 1-2 tbsp of loose salt to their daily intake. I prefer loose salt over salt blocks so you can monitor how much your horse is actually consuming. Have a horse that eats around salt? Consider adding an electrolyte paste to their routine (my favorite is Summer Games electrolyte paste).
Monitor water intake.
Many horses will not drink enough water during sudden temperature changes which can lead to dehydration and colic. Monitor water intake closely and ensure waterers are clean and fresh (Would you want to take a gulp of lukewarm algae water on a hot day? #NOPE).
If your horse has an automatic waterer, it’s difficult to know how much they are actually drinking - instead, monitor for signs of dehydration via the skin-pull test. If you need help remembering how to do this, I have details on my Equine Vital Signs freebie.
Keep an eye on the heat index and don’t ride if it’s too hot!
The heat index is the temperature+humidity. As we adjust to warmer days, you may need to change the time of day you ride and/or take easier rides. Here’s the formula I follow:
Heat index <130: Good to go!
Heat index >150: Ride with caution (monitor your horse for signs of heat stress).
Heat index >180: Take the day off!
If you’re on Instagram, you can go save this post on hot weather riding to reference all summer long!
Deshed, clip, hose, and ensure access to shade.
Help your horse ease into the warm weather by de-shedding them, clipping (if appropriate), and hosing them down during the hottest parts of the day as well as ensuring they have access to shade. Many horses will choose to stand in the sun anyway, but we always want them to have the option to shade themselves.
Schedule your spring vaccines + wellness exam.
This one doesn’t have quite as much to do with warm weather, but it’s an important part of the changing seasons! Every horse should receive vaccinations, regardless of if they travel often or are exposed to other horses (your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate set of vaccines for your horse’s risk). This can also be coupled with wellness exam, which I highly recommend for senior horses in Arizona before the brutality of summer hits - to ensure their health is in a state where they will continue to have quality of life through the scorching hot months.
In nature, horses are naturally designed to withstand very hot and very cold temperatures and quick fluctuations - it’s our domesticated horses that struggle. By following the steps above and keeping a close eye on your horse, you can ensure they are comfortable entering the hot summer season.
As always, please consult with your veterinarian about your horse’s specific needs as the weather warms up!
