Caring for Your Horse During a Heatwave: Expert Tips

Long, hot sunny days can be delightful, especially after a cold winter, but sustained high temperatures can pose risks to your horse's health. Managing your horse carefully during a heatwave is essential to ensure their comfort and wellbeing. This guide shares expert advice on how to protect your horse from heat stress, insects, travel challenges, and more.

1. Managing Flies and Insects During a Heatwave

As temperatures rise and cloud cover increases, flying insects like horseflies become more active and can cause significant irritation to horses. Protect your horse with lightweight, breathable fly rugs and masks—ensure eye coverage as well. Since fly rugs can trap heat, consider adjusting turnout times by turning your horse out at night when flies are less active, and keeping them in a cool stable during the day.

Be vigilant about wasp, bee, and hornet nests, as warm conditions increase their populations. Have nests safely removed by professionals; local beekeepers may relocate bees without harm. If your horse is stung, apply first aid similar to human treatment with cold compresses and antihistamine creams. For severe reactions, consult your vet promptly for oral antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medication.

2. Heat Management: Providing Shade and Water

Always ensure your horse can access shade—natural shade from trees or well-ventilated field shelters offer relief from direct sunlight. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times, as horses may drink up to 55 litres per day or more in hot weather. Limit exercise to the coolest parts of the day—early morning or late evening—to prevent overheating.

3. Protecting Your Horse on Hard Ground

Extended dry spells result in hard, unforgiving ground surfaces that can lead to injuries such as lameness or strain. Modify exercise routines by restricting hacking to walking and limit trotting to areas with good grass cover. Use well-maintained all-weather arenas or gallops for training. Supportive leg boots and stable bandages can help protect your horse during work and promote recovery but avoid excessive leg covering that might cause heat retention. Air-cooled boots are excellent options, offering protection with ventilation.

If competing in events like those organised by British Eventing, select venues with well-prepared ground, as some grounds are better managed for heat and dryness. Always consider your horse’s safety first when choosing competitions during extreme heat.

4. Monitoring Grazing and Feeding Supplementation

Hot weather can cause grass to dry out and lose nutritional value. Supplement your horse's diet with hay or appropriate forage to maintain energy levels and hydration. Soak hay to increase moisture content and reduce the risk of dehydration.

5. Safe Travel Practices in Heat

Transporting your horse in hot weather requires special care. Trailers with rear open doors allow cooler airflow than enclosed lorries, which is preferable for your horse’s comfort. Be mindful that all transport depends on airflow generated by movement; prolonged stationary periods, such as traffic jams, can be dangerous. Never keep a horse in a stationary vehicle without airflow for more than 30 minutes. In case of traffic delays, contact authorities for assistance to safely remove your horse from the vehicle. Plan travel routes and timings carefully to avoid peak heat and congestion.

6. Cooling Overheated Horses Promptly

If your horse becomes seriously overheated, contact your vet immediately. Meanwhile, initiate rapid cooling by dousing the horse with cold water using a hose or buckets. Apply water repeatedly, scraping off excess to aid heat dissipation. Walking the horse slowly can assist cooling if they are able. After physical exertion, consider administering electrolytes under veterinary guidance to replace salts and minerals lost through sweat.

7. Additional Tips for Heatwave Care

• Consider turning your horse out at night when it's cooler and flies are fewer.
• Use ride-on fly rugs during exercise to reduce distractions from insects.
• Ensure good stable ventilation, using fans safely if possible.
• Regularly check water sources and maintain hygiene to encourage drinking.
• Offer salt licks to help replenish electrolytes naturally lost in sweat.

By following these expert-recommended steps, you can help protect your horse from the challenges of a prolonged heatwave, promoting comfort and health. Always keep a close eye on your horse’s condition and consult your vet if you notice any signs of heat stress or illness.

For those considering buying or selling horses, responsible ownership and care are paramount, especially during extreme weather conditions. Learn more about horses for sale from reputable breeders who prioritise welfare.