Summer-time Suggestions for Cool Fun in the Sun

The show season and summer is in full swing! These long days of sunlight give us time for lazy trail rides with our favorite equine friend after work as well as during the day. Still, there are things to watch out for as the weather heats up. High humidity, over-exposure to sun, and intense activity in high temperatures can pose health risks to most horses. Each year thousands of horses colic and dehydrate due to rising temperatures. Here are some important tips to keep your horse beat the heat:

Shade:
Always offer an escape from the sun in the form of a shelter. A shady tree, in-and-out stall or lean-to in the paddock make good places for horses to find relief. Turn out your horse as early as possible to avoid the high heat during the afternoon.

Water:
Always offer fresh, cool, clean water. Average size horses can consume over 25 gallons of water per day when the temperature is above 70°F. Also, keep water troughs and stock tanks clean and free from insects to promote consumption. You can even add apple juices to tempt the horses into drinking more water. Add goldfish in paddock tubs to clean up the green gunk that builds up. The fish eat the algae and other micro-organisms. Don’t give water after heavy exercise. Wait until your horse is full walked, bathed and cooled out, and his breathing and heart rate have returned to resting mode. Then it is safe for her to drink again.

Electrolytes:
Talk to your veterinarian about a suitable electrolyte supplement to replace salt loss from sweating. Serious electrolyte loss causes fatigue, muscle cramps, colic, and more.

Feed:
Even in the summer months hay is very important. Though grass is green in the spring, warm weather slows grass growth and pasture quality declines quickly. Good quality hay offers energy, which your horse needs to help regulate his body temperature and power his natural cooling processes.

Worming/Gnats:
You still have to deworm your horse in the summer. Talk to your vet about which dewormer is appropriate in your area during the summer months. Cut down on worms and flies by picking up piles of manure in your horse’s field and placing them on a muckheap. To combat summer mosquitoes and gnats, use repellants, fly mask, and fly sheets. If you horse exhibits signs of chronic irritation (tail rubs, belly and neck wheals or papules), it might be sweet itch (insect hypersensitivity). This is usually a genetic pre-disposition and a discussion with your vet on prevention and treatment is recommended.

Body/Mane:
If possible let your horse’s mane grow in the summer. They will need their mane to swish away flies. The same goes for the tail. Don’t cut it any shorter than the hocks. Horses with white markings on their faces can get sunburn—especially around their noses and muzzles. The white markings peel and get sore. Prevent sunburn before it happens by using human sun lotion with a high UV protection rating. Also keep an eye on the hooves. They tend to dry and split in the heat so schedule regular farrier visits to keep the hooves trimmed and rasped. Apply a hoof dressing or moisturizer several times a week.

Baths:
On really hot days sponge cold water over your horse, especially down the large blood vessels under the belly and neck and inside the legs. This will help your horse to keep his overall body cool when temperatures rise.

Trailering:
Ventilation is the most important aspect of any horse transport. Don’t leave your horse’s window down as driving with his head out is dangerous, but open all vents and windows and use only screens or window bars when not on freeways. If you are going on a long journey (more than 4 hours), offer a bucket of cool fresh water to your horse at his stall window.

As with every season, it is important to keep your horse current on his deworming schedule and vaccines. Check with your veterinarian to make sure your horse is up to date. Together with diligent horse care, you and your horse should be set to enjoy the endless fun of summer.

Summer equine tips provided courtesy of Kim Rauch, LAMP, ESMT, and student at Purdue’s VTDLP. Kim, a client of EEVP, enjoys her five horses – Ammo, Cole, Jade, Joane Blue, and Redford – and is a western pleasure/trail rider.

Summer Tips from EEVP, July 2010