24/06/2026
** Recommendations for avoidance of heatstroke **
With the current heatwave, we'd recommend our clients take sensible precautions to beat the heat.
Signs of heatstroke in horses can include:
- Excessive sweating
- Heavy breathing
- Elevated breathing and heart rates
- Elevated re**al temperature (above 38.5 dC)
- Change in behaviour ranging from dull to manic
- Colic-like signs
Recommendations to help avoid heatstroke:
- Avoid exercise or travel where sensible and practical
- Where exercise is considered necessary, keep the duration as short as possible, plan shaded routes, hose off before and after, remove tack quickly on return and consider performing at the cooler ends of the days
- Where travel is considered necessary, keep the journeys as short as possible, plan the route to avoid delays, hose off before and after, and consider performing at the cooler ends of the day. Ensure a plentiful supply of water for drinking/applying to the horse or pony at intervals during the journey and as much ventilation as possible through the lorry/box.
- Consider access to electrolyte supplements in water ALONGSIDE plentiful clean/plain water
- Avoid rugging where possible
- Ensure access to shade
- Consider clipping animals with thick hair coats or those that appear to struggle more with the heat
- Consider sun protection for those pink noses!
- Determine the coolest place for your horse for the daytime - this may be in the stable, or in the field with a breeze and some shade
For horses showing signs of heatstroke:
- Call your vets as a matter of urgency
- Move to the shade with access to small but regular quantities of water for drinking
- Apply aggressive cooling strategies e.g. continuous cold hosing of the body (NB please disregard any advice about avoiding wetting - these are not scientifically support and could be fatal if followed!)