25/07/2025
Hydration, Sun Safety & Skin Health: Caring for Horses – and Ourselves – in the Heat
Summer brings longer rides, sun-soaked fields, and golden hours at the stables—but it also brings heat, dehydration risks, and sun damage, for both horses and humans. Whether you're managing a horse with metabolic conditions or just trying to keep your own skin protected while mucking out, hydration and sun protection matter at every level.
In our barn, Timmy and Nando are the perfect reminders of how unique every horse’s summer needs are. And honestly? Looking after them reminds me to care for myself too.
Timmy: The Flamingo-Masked Legend with EMS & Cushing’s
Timmy rocks a flamingo-print fly mask like he owns the yard—and honestly, he kind of does. Diagnosed with Cushing’s and EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), he needs a little extra support during the summer months:
His fluffy coat doesn’t shed as well as it should.
His insulin regulation is off, making heat and sugar-rich grass a dangerous combo.
His immune system is lower, which makes his skin more sensitive.
His routine includes:
Soaked hay and a low-sugar diet
Turnout only during cool hours
Gentle grooming and natural sprays on his sensitive skin
Shade, hydration—and a LOT of love
Despite it all, he struts in his flamingo fly mask like he's on the runway. His message? “I’ve got conditions, but I’ve also got style.”
Nando: The Heat-Teller
Nando doesn’t beat around the bush. If it’s hot, he tells you. Whether it’s a sideways stare, a nudge at the hosepipe, or standing stubbornly in the only patch of shade, he’s not subtle.
Nando reminds us that sometimes the best thing you can do is listen:
Offer cold water
Hose down legs and chest
Bring him in early
Give him his moment under the fan
We all have a Nando in our life: no drama, just truth. “I'm hot. Fix it.”
Skin and Hydration – For Horses and Humans
It’s not just our horses who need skin support in the summer—we do too. The barn isn’t exactly a spa (unless you count mud masks and sweat), so while I’m looking after Timmy and Nando, I keep a few Tropic essentials in my tack room tote to care for my own skin:
My Summer Stable Essentials:
🌈 Rainbow Dew: My go-to hydrating serum that keeps my skin cool and plump even when I’m out riding or mucking out under the sun.
🌅 Morning Mist: A refreshing facial mist I spray on between chores or right after a ride. It’s like a mini reset button in a bottle.
☀️ Sun Day Cream SPF 50: Absolute must-have. Light, non-greasy, and powerful sun protection—especially when I’m applying fly spray with one hand and scratching a horse bum with the other.
💋 Lip Fudge Balm: Cracked lips from wind, sun, or shouting across the paddock? Sorted.
Just like I read product labels for Timmy’s sensitive skin, I do the same for mine. Tropic gives me clean, hydrating, effective skincare—without parabens, perfumes, or harsh additives. If it’s not good enough for my horses, it’s not good enough for me.
Hydration Tips for Horses
Hydration keeps everything ticking—for us and our horses. A dehydrated horse is vulnerable to colic, overheating, and performance issues. Here’s how we keep water front and center in the barn:
Fresh water always – scrub buckets and refill often
Electrolytes for hard workers or heavy sweaters
Soaked feeds – beet pulp, hay cubes, and hay for metabolic horses
Flavoring water with peppermint or apple juice if they’re fussy (especially on travel days)
Summer Skin Risks: Who’s Most at Risk?
Type of Horse Why They're Vulnerable How We Help
Timmy (Cushing’s + EMS) Thin skin, poor coat, metabolic stress Soaked hay, shade, non-irritating skin products, clipped coat
Nando Heat-sensitive Shade, regular hosing, cool turnout
Walled-eyed horses Sensitive to sunlight UV fly masks, shaded turnout
Grey & pink-skinned horses Prone to sunburn Sunscreen on muzzle, fly masks, limited midday turnout
Seniors Poor coat shedding, immune sensitivity Monitor carefully, clip, hydrate, protect
Final Thoughts
Whether it's a horse in a flamingo fly mask, one refusing to move in the heat, or just you at the barn doing your best to stay cool, hydration and sun protection matter.
For me, it's:
Rainbow Dew to hydrate
Sun Day to protect
Morning Mist to refresh
Lip Fudge to soothe
For Timmy and Nando, it’s:
Shade, electrolytes, soaked hay, and extra TLC
We’re a team, and we all need support when the sun’s beating down. Take care of your horses—but don’t forget yourself in the process. After all, we’re in this together: dirt, sweat, flamingos and all.
