By: Jenna Levesque

With summer quickly approaching, so is the heat! Get ahead and learn the best tips and tricks to take care of your equine creatures during hot summer days before they arrive. As great as it would be, unfortunately horses are outdoor animals, and we cannot just bring them inside our homes to sit and cool off in the air conditioning. As an alternative we learn different tips and tricks that can help cool the horses down more effectively.  

Cold baths and hose downs 

On hot days, especially after working your horse they will get hot and sweaty. To cool them off and keep them clean, bathe/hose the horses with cold water. 

Fans 

Fans are something that greatly affect and help the horses during the summertime. Having fans in their stalls keeps the air flowing and cool. Fans are the next best things from air conditioning! 

Plan Timing 

If you are already aware that it is going to be un-normally hot on a specific day, plan accordingly to work your horse during hours when the temperature is not as high. Ex- early in the morning, or evening time.  

Electrolytes 

When it’s hot out the horses sweat more and lose minerals throughout their sweating. Giving your horse electrolytes helps to replenish these minerals and keeps them feeling happy/healthy.  

Provide Appropriate Shade 

When the horses are turned outside it is important to have proper shading so they feel as though they can get out of the beaming sun/heat. This could be a stall, run in shed, roof, etc. 

Water 

While the horses should always have water available, triple checking their water on hot days is important. They typically drink more to help stay cool and hydrated.