Shade in the pasture: why it's indispensable

What overheating does to a horse

Horses regulate their body temperature differently from humans. They do sweat, but that cooling mechanism falls short when the ambient temperature exceeds 28 °C and no shade is available. Core temperature can then rise above 39.5 °C, causing heat stress. Symptoms include rapid breathing, little or dark urine, lethargy, and in serious cases colic or collapse. Horses in an open, shadeless pasture also display significantly more stress-related behaviour: they move restlessly, stamp, and chew less. This has direct consequences for their wellbeing and, over time, for their health and condition.

How much shade does a horse need?

As a rule of thumb, allow a minimum of 4 to 5 m² of shade per horse. For a group of four horses, you will quickly need 20 m² of effective shade, preferably spread across the pasture so that dominant animals have less opportunity to chase others away. The shade must also be sufficient at the hottest time of day — generally between 12:00 and 16:00. Bear in mind that the shadow cast by a tree or shelter moves with the sun; a spot that is shaded at 10:00 may be in full sun by 14:00.

Best options for shade in the pasture

• Mature deciduous trees (oak, ash, beech) provide the most natural and largest shadow area, but you are dependent on what is already growing there.
• A three-sided open shelter of at least 3 x 4 m per horse offers year-round protection and is easy to clean.
• Shade nets (blocking at least 70% of UV) are a flexible temporary solution, ideal if you rent or are waiting to have a shelter built.
• Tall hedgerows or shelter belts offer combined protection against sun and wind, but take years to grow to full height.
• Combine two options for extra security: trees plus a shelter ensures shade is always available, regardless of the position of the sun.

Watch out: toxic trees nearby

Not every tree is suitable. Yew is deadly to horses and must never be present in or near the pasture. Acorns in large quantities cause poisoning, so an oak with excessive acorn fall requires extra vigilance in autumn. Horse chestnut and elderberry are also risky. Always check new pastures for existing trees and shrubs before turning horses out. You can easily record findings and risks in the horse profile in EquiSight, so you can refer back to them instantly when changing yards or managers.

Sunburn: a forgotten risk for light-coloured horses

Grey horses, cremellos, and horses with a white face or white patches on the nose quickly develop sunburn on unpigmented or pink skin after prolonged exposure. This manifests as redness, flaking, and pain, and can lead to chronic skin problems or even skin cancer with repeated exposure. Apply a water-resistant sunscreen (factor 30 or higher) to vulnerable areas such as the nose and around the eyes, and reapply daily after sweating or rain. Shade is the primary and most effective protective measure here.

Planning and tracking shade in EquiSight

Use the calendar in EquiSight to set reminders for putting up shade nets at the start of the season, or for inspecting the shelter after winter. Through EquiCoach you can ask questions about specific situations, such as which type of shade net is suitable for a particular pasture size or how to recognise heat stress in a specific breed. This way, all practical information is in one place, even if you manage multiple horses or locations.

Five concrete action points for this season

• Walk the pasture before 1 June: is at least 4 m² of shade per horse available at the hottest time of day?
• Check the shelter for damage caused by winter and storms; replace loose planks or rusty screws immediately.
• Get shade nets in good time — in warm spring weather they sell out quickly at suppliers.
• Photograph the shade situation at 13:00 and save this in the horse profile as a baseline measurement for later comparison.
• Set a daily check-in reminder in the EquiSight calendar for the period June–August to detect heat stress early.

Five concrete action points for this season

• Walk the pasture before 1 June: is at least 4 m² of shade per horse available at the hottest time of day?
• Check the shelter for damage caused by winter and storms; replace loose planks or rusty screws immediately.
• Get shade nets in good time — in warm spring weather they sell out quickly at suppliers.
• Photograph the shade situation at 13:00 and save this in the horse profile as a baseline measurement for later comparison.
• Set a daily check-in reminder in the EquiSight calendar for the period June–August to detect heat stress early.