24/06/2026
☀️With high temperatures forecast this week, please find below some recommendations for keeping your horse comfortable in hot weather☀️:
Water/Electrolytes💦
Your horse's water intake will increase considerably during hot weather so it is imperative to make sure he/she has access to clean, fresh water at all times. For those that don’t drink well, consider adding a juice to flavour the water.
Horses naturally lose electrolytes daily but these losses increase significantly during hot weather. Excessive loss can cause dehydration and lethargy. Adding an electrolyte supplement to your horse’s diet will help to restore any inbalances. Be aware however that some horses may not drink water containing electrolytes, so plenty of plain water should still be made available. Electrolytes can also be administered in pastes or specialised feeds which are useful for using immediately after exercise or at a competition.
Allow horses access to a salt block or to receive a daily salt supplement to allow them to meet their sodium chloride requirements.
Shelter/Insects/Sunburn🦗
It is important to provide adequate shelter with good ventilation to protect your horse or pony from the heat and biting insects. Many horse owners will bring their horses in during the day and turn them out at night when it is cooler. Ensure the stable has good ventilation and is as free from dust as possible. Using cooling and misting fans can also provide relief. If you don’t have access to a stable, ensure there is adequate shade in the paddock, either from trees or by providing a field shelter. Be aware that a shaded field may in some circumstances be preferable to a hot stable.
Horseflies and other biting insects can be a big problem at this time of year and it is important that horses are offered some protection from these with fly rugs, masks and insect repellent. Removing manure from fields regularly not only prevents worm contamination but will also discourage flies too.
Horses with areas of pink skin are susceptible to sunburn/photosensitation and these areas require a high factor sun protection cream to be applied regularly.
Exercise/Travel/Competing🚛
Try not to work your horse during the hottest part of the day.
The same applies when travelling – trailers and lorries can become extremely hot, particularly if they are standing stationary in traffic. Unless you have air conditioning or a cooling fan in the horse area of your lorry, your horse can quickly overheat/dehydrate. During long journeys, horses should be checked and offered water regularly. If you have to travel your horse in hot weather, set off early when it is cooler.
Take plenty of fresh water from home when travelling or competing as some horses don’t like water that tastes different. Syringing water in to a horse's mouth can sometimes encourage them to start drinking themselves. Allow a shorter warm-up and be prepared for your horse to tire more quickly. Offer water before exercise and immediately after.
Cooling😎
Use plenty of cold water after exercise, either by hosepipe or using sponges and buckets. Adding ice added will have a greater cooling effect and will lower the horse’s body temperature more quickly. It is more important to continuously apply cold water all over the horse’s body than to stop and scrape it off. Walking for short periods can also help cool the horse and reduced the risk of muscle spasms.
Heat Stroke🔥
If your horse displays any of the signs below, it is important to use aggressive cooling methods to reduce the horse’s temperature and to call your vet immediately. Severe heat stroke can lead to collapse, renal failure, muscle and liver damage and can be fatal if not treated immediately. Always seek veterinary help if you suspect a case of heat stroke.
Signs of heat stroke are:
- Heavy breathing/panting. The normal respiration rate for adult horses should range between 8-16 breaths per minute.
- Rapid heart rate. The normal resting heart rate should be 28-44 beats per minute.
- Re**al temperature above 39.8°C - normal temperature range is 37.5 – 38.5°C.
- Excessive sweating
- Lethargy/restlessness
- Stumbling
- Muscle spasms
- Dark urine/reduced urination
- Collapse, and in serious cases, convulsions.
