Equine Care for the Summer

10 March 2021

Here are some ways to keep your horses healthy during the summer season:

1. FEED

   • Increase forage in their diet

   • Check feed regularly as some feed can get moldy in the heat

   • Clean out feed buckets often so they don’t attract flies

2. WATER

   • Provide clean, fresh water at all times

   • Give your horse a shower

3. SALT/ELECTROLYTES

   • Salt licks and electrolytes – both will help to replace minerals and electrolytes lost while sweating, and they also encourage increased water consumption

4. SHADE

   • Avoid leaving your horses in the open paddocks during the hottest times of day

5. COOLING SYSTEM

   • If you can, place a fan inside the stall to increase airflow for your horse

6. EXERCISE

   • It’s important to keep your horse physically fit, especially during the summertime. An overweight horse produces more heat. If the weather permits it, exercise your horse early in the morning as the heat of the afternoon will stress even the fittest horse

7. CHECK FOR SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS

   • Here are a few symptoms to help you identify heat stress:

     • • Profuse sweating over the entire body, or no sweating whatsoever.

       • Behavior changes: Lethargy, no interest in food, stumbling.

       • Elevated temperature: If you suspect heat stress, check your horse’s temperature.

       • Shallow breathing (over 40 or 50 breaths per minute)

   • To treat these symptoms, remove any tack from your horse, douse in cool water, and move to a shaded area with a fan. Offer water and watch to see if your horse improves. If not—it’s time to call the veterinarian!