10 Hot Tips to Keep Your Horse Cool This Summer

by Lisa Kiley – Published in Saddle Up Magazine July 2022

It seems like we can all agree that summer is one of the best times of the year to get out and enjoy activities with our horses.  There is so much to do from horse camps and trail rides to shows and parades.  While the warmer weather is generally welcome, sometimes it can get a little too hot for our comfort and can be especially uncomfortable for our equine companions.  So, when the temperature starts to rise, it’s a good idea to remember some important tips to help keep your horse cool and comfortable. 

1. Weather Watcher

In the Midwest, weather in the summer can be volatile.  It’s a good idea to make a habit of checking the weather every day and having a good weather app on your phone so that you can get timely updates.  While the temperature provides some of the picture on what to expect, knowing what the humidity is will give a better idea as to what it will really feel like.  Pay attention to wind, cloud cover, and be mindful of storms and severe weather that can pop up too. 

2. Cool, Clean Water

Horses need to have access to fresh, clean water every day, but in the summer, there is a need for increased consumption, especially if your horse has been sweating.  Consider adding a second bucket in the stall to ensure that your horse will have an adequate amount of water available.  Dump and scrub buckets/tanks frequently to make sure that the water is clean.  Thermal buckets can help to keep water cool and automatic water also provides water at cooler temperatures because it is coming up from the ground.

3. Get Salty

Providing a mineral or salt block will encourage your horse to drink more water and helps to replace the loss of this essential mineral when they sweat.  Salt is an electrolyte, but adding an electrolyte formula may be necessary, especially if your horse is working in the heat.  Reaching out to a nutritionist through your feed provider is a great place to start when you have questions about making sure that your horse is getting the adequate amounts of nutrients in their diet. 

4. Made in the Shade

After water, access to shade is the next most important thing when trying to keep your horse cool.  If horses are in the pasture during the heat of the day, they should have access to shade.  This can be a tree line or a loafing shed.  If all the horses have access to the area and can get relief from the sun, it will be a big aid in helping them stay cool.  If there is no access to shade in the pasture, leaving a horse in their stall on the hottest days is a good plan. 

5. Offer Protection

There are several wearable products on the market that can help keep your horse cooler, offer fly protection, and prevent coat bleaching.  Horses with light skin tones on their face and body are at increased risk for sunburns and damage.  Using sunscreen on a horse’s face (especially around the nostrils) can help prevent painful burns.  While these products do not eliminate the need for shade, they can help to make your horse more comfortable. 

6. Adjust Turnout Times

Sometimes the best thing to offer a horse is a schedule adjustment.  Turning out at night is a great way to avoid the heat of the day.  If night turnout isn’t an option, early morning turnout is usually better as it tends to be the hottest starting in the early afternoon until dusk.  Monitor your horses, if they are waiting by the gate, sweating, or fighting with the flies, they would probably rather be inside. 

7. Keep the Air Moving

A breeze can go a long way in helping to keep your horse comfortable and it can also help keep flies at bay.  Opening doors and windows in the barn to allow for a cross breeze is a good start.  Adding fans can be a great relief, just be sure that you select fans that are approved for agricultural use and keep the cords out of the reach of your horse’s mouth.  Tip: Box Fan Holders are handy to have in the barn!

8. Exercise in Moderation

When possible, ride in the cooler parts of the day and keep sessions short.  Have a good understanding of how fit your horse is and don’t push them outside of their limits especially on very hot days.  Work with them consistently, so that they have the endurance for the work you are asking them to do.  If you must ride on hot days, make sure to provide frequent shaded breaks and offer water often.  Always cool your horse out thoroughly after you have worked them. 

9. Bath Time

After working with your horse and cooling them out, it’s a great refresher to hose them down.  A good bath can help regulate their temperature.  While soaping them up may not be needed every day, even just a spray down to remove sweat and dirt from their skin can have its benefits.  Make sure as you are bathing to examine your horse for cuts, abrasions, ticks or any other skin issues and treat accordingly.   Tip: A Hose Boom is a great addition to a wash bay area!

10. Vital Signs

It’s a good idea for every horse owner to understand how to read a horse’s vital signs and know when a horse is reacting in an abnormal way that could be cause for concern. 

Consult your veterinarian to learn more about assessing vitals, so that you can determine if your horse is dehydrated with a simple pinch test or how to check their respiratory rate. Get your horse immediate attention if you suspect they are showing signs of heat stroke. 

Hopefully these tips will help you and your horse beat the heat while enjoying a fun summer together!