24/05/2026
Hot Weather. Cool Heads.
A guide for horse owners this heatwave π
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The most important thing you'll do. Horses drink on average between 30β50 litres of water on a normal day. In hot weather, that can rise to 70β80 litres or more β especially if they're working.
π¦ Check troughs morning, midday, and evening β and top up every time.
π¦ Water should be clean, fresh, and accessible at all times. Stagnant or sun-warmed water gets refused. Keep it moving, keep it clean.
π¦ Add a small amount of salt to their feed to encourage drinking and replace electrolytes lost through sweat.
π¦ Before travelling, offer water at every opportunity β horses often won't drink during transit, so hydrate well before and after.
π¦ A horse that stops drinking in the heat is a serious warning sign. Contact your vet.
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It feels instinctive, hot horse, cold water. But it can do more harm than good.
When a horse works hard, blood vessels near the skin dilate to help release heat. Applying cold water causes those vessels to rapidly constrict, pushing heat back towards the core rather than allowing it to escape. This can actually raise the core temperature, which is the opposite of what you want.
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Use cool water β not iced, not from a freezing hose left in the sun.
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Sponge or pour over the large muscle groups β neck, shoulders, hindquarters, between the hind legs.
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Scrape the water off immediately after applying. Water left sitting on the coat acts as an insulator and traps heat. Apply, scrape, repeat.
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Keep them walking slowly while you cool them β movement helps the cooling process continue naturally.
If your horse is breathing rapidly, unsteady, or not responding β call your vet immediately. Heat stroke is a veterinary emergency.
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π Ride early morning or after 5pm. Avoid 11amβ4pm entirely where possible.
πΏ Ensure access to shade β field shelter, hedgerow, or tree line.
𧴠Apply sunscreen to pink-skinned noses and light-coloured muzzles.
πͺ° Fly repellent, especially around the face and legs β flies cause stress, and stress in heat is hard on the body.
π Check on horses more frequently than usual. Watch for signs of heat stress: excessive sweating, lethargy, rapid or laboured breathing, or unusual behaviour.
Your horse can't tell you when it's too much. Trust your eyes, check the basics, and don't rush the cool-down.
