Your horse in warm weather: keeping him fit

Why heat creates extra risks

Horses generate a lot of body heat during exercise. At temperatures above 25 °C, a horse cools down more slowly because the temperature difference between body and environment becomes smaller. Especially at high humidity — above 60% — the risk of heat stress increases rapidly. A rule of thumb: add the temperature (°C) to the humidity (%). If the result exceeds 130, intensive training is inadvisable, and above 150 even light work is risky. Recognise heat stress by an elevated breathing rate (above 40 breaths per minute), sweating without exertion, and lethargy.

Sufficient water: more than you think

A horse normally drinks 30 to 50 litres of water per day. In warm weather and during work, this can rise to 80 litres or more. Check the water trough at least twice a day and ensure the water is fresh and clean — many horses refuse dirty or overly warm water. Optionally add a small amount of salt (10 grams per day) to the feed to encourage drinking. A salt lick in the stable is a good supplement. Record any unusual drinking behaviour in the EquiSight horse profile so you can quickly spot trends.

Adjust training times to the weather

• Train early in the morning (before 9:00) or late in the evening (after 19:00) when it is cooler.
• Limit the duration of intensive training sessions to a maximum of 30–40 minutes at temperatures above 28 °C.
• Alternate canter and walk phases more frequently so the horse can cool down continuously.
• Use the EquiSight calendar to schedule training sessions during cooler parts of the day.
• Cancel or reschedule competitions and intensive lessons if the temperature-humidity score exceeds 130.

How to cool down after exercise

After riding, your horse needs time to cool down. Start with 10 minutes of walking, then sponge down with lukewarm water — begin at the legs and work upward toward the body. Lukewarm water is just as effective as cold water but causes less stress. Scrape away the warmed water each time so it does not form an insulating layer. Keep repeating until the skin no longer feels warm on the chest and neck. Only put the horse in the stable once its breathing has returned to normal (8–16 breaths per minute).

Protection against sun and insects

Light or pink skin around the nose and eyes burns quickly. Use a horse-friendly sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on those areas and consider a fly mask with UV protection. Ensure there is sufficient shade in the paddock — a tree or field shelter of at least 3 by 3 metres per horse. Horses standing in direct sun between 11:00 and 15:00 have a significantly higher risk of heat stress. It is better to stable them during that period.

Adjusting feed in the heat

• Reduce the amount of concentrate feed, as it increases heat production through fermentation.
• Provide more roughage in the evening and at night when it is cooler.
• Add electrolytes during heavy exercise or prolonged sweating — consult your vet for advice on dosage.
• Avoid large amounts of fresh grass during the hottest hours due to the risk of laminitis.
• Offer a small amount of soaked haylage as an extra source of moisture for horses that drink little.

EquiCoach helps you recognise patterns

By consistently recording temperature, training intensity, fluid intake, and behaviour in EquiSight, EquiCoach can detect deviations earlier than you might notice them yourself. If your horse drinks less for three consecutive days or its heart rate drops more slowly after exercise, EquiCoach sends an alert. This allows you to intervene before heat stress or dehydration becomes a serious problem. Use the journal in the horse profile to add notes after every training session.