As the temperature rises, ensuring your horse stays safe, comfortable, and healthy in the heat is a must.
From staying hydrated to protecting against pesky insects, here’s everything you need to know about hot weather horse care, including recognising signs of heatstroke and choosing the best summer horse gear.
How to keep your horse hydrated
How much water should a horse drink per day in summer? Well, the answer depends!
On average, horses need 30–50 litres of water per day, but this can vary based on size, age, activity levels, and, of course, the weather.
Dehydration can be serious – if not fatal – so keep a close eye on their water intake.
To prevent dehydration:
- Add electrolytes to food, water or over the tongue: Electrolytes replenish any salts lost through sweating and exercise, helping to maintain hydration.
- Add salt to food: You can also add salt to your horse's feed to increase their thirst response, encouraging them to drink more water and stay hydrated.
- Provide multiple, clean water sources: Some horses can be fussy about where they drink from, so offering options like buckets and troughs ensures they are consistently drinking water.
To test for dehydration, you can perform two tests:
- Capillary refill time: Press your finger firmly against their gums for a few seconds, then remove it. The gums will appear white and blanched. Hydrated, healthy gums should return to their pink colour within 1-2 seconds.
- Skin pinch test: Pinch a small fold of skin on their neck or shoulder. Hydrated skin will snap back immediately, while dehydrated skin may take 2–4 seconds or more to flatten.
How to protect your horse from insects
Insects can be a nuisance during summer, but luckily, you have options to keep them at bay.
1. Fly masks
A fly mask is one of the safest, most convenient ways to protect your horse’s head.
With a range of styles, you can choose masks with extra nose and ear coverage – or without – depending on your horse. Ones with nose flaps can also be beneficial for providing sun protection.
Like anything new, it’s best to introduce a new fly mask gradually in a familiar setting to help your horse adjust.
2. Mesh fly boots
Mesh fly boots are a fantastic way to keep your horse’s legs – and their hooves – protected from pesky fly and insect bites.
Flies can be incredibly annoying for horses, because of their bites and their buzzing. This often leads to behaviors like tail swishing, bucking, and foot stomping – and if stomping becomes a habit, it can damage their hooves.
Mesh fly boots can prevent this, keeping your horse comfortable and reducing the risk of infections or other health issues.
3. Topical insect repellents
Topical insect repellent spray is another must-have for bug management in the summer. It will provide rapid flea and fly extermination while effectively repelling flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects, keeping your horse comfortable.
Just take care not to spray near their eyes or face.
For a dual-purpose solution, the Virbac Septicide Cream not only repels insects, but also promotes wound healing. (Note: keep this product away from cats – it's toxic to them.)
How to cool your horse down in summer
Heatstroke can be life-threatening in horses, so recognising the warning signs and acting fast is crucial.
Start by checking their vital signs: temperature, heart rate and respiration rate.
If their rectal temperature exceeds 38°C, their heart rate is over 50 beats per minute, or their respiration rate surpasses 20 breaths per minute, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Other signs to watch for include excessive sweating, unusually hot or dry skin that doesn’t return to normal when pinched, or behaviors indicating lethargy or distress.
If you suspect signs of heatstroke:
- Move them to a shady place, ideally somewhere with a breeze or a fan
- Hose them down with cool water
- Offer them sips of tepid water
If their symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for advice.
How to exercise your horse in the heat
When you exercise your horse in hot weather, they can’t always cool themselves appropriately.
So, to prevent your horse from overheating:
- Ride during the cooler parts of the day, like the early morning or evening
- Keep workouts light; choose a gentler trot over intense gallops
- Take frequent breaks, offering regular opportunities to drink cold water
As for your post-ride routine?
- Cool down with a leisurely walk for the last few minutes of your ride
- Hose your horse off with cool water, starting at the feet and working upwards
- Add electrolytes to their feed or water to replace lost salts
How to care for your horse’s hooves
Hot and dry weather can lead to brittle, cracking hooves – so daily hoof care is especially important during summer.
You should find extra opportunities for your horse to hydrate their feet. For example, you can overfill their drinking troughs to create accessible puddles, fill trays of water for them to stand in, or seek out waterways when you’re riding.
For daily hoof cleaning, we recommend you:
- Use a hoof pick to ease out any compacted materials like mud, straw and manure
- Look out for anything unusual, like loose shoes, cracking or bruising
- Ensure shoes are secure and check for wear and tear
- Maintain a clean environment; prolonged exposure to dirty conditions can cause infections
You should have regular visits with an experienced farrier. And for year-round maintenance, you can give them biotin supplements to support hoof growth and quality – in every season.
Ready to beat the heat? Get more tips and advice from Petstock to keep your horse happy and healthy all summer long.