Summer Horse Care

his stall or field. Horses are able to selfregulate their needed salt intake. If he doesnt like a plain white salt block try a brown tracemineral lick loose salt or a Himalayan salt rock.
Keeping Cool
For maximum comfort in the heat of the summer try to make sure there is some shade available for your horse in the pasture. This may be in the form of a runin shed or a nice big tree.
If your horse is stalled hell be in the shade but the air in a barn can quickly become stagnant and oppressive when hot. Have the barn as open as possible to encourage airflow.
If possible try hanging a fan in his stall to help move the airsome horses find this so comfortable they take a nap with their faces right in front of it! Fans have an added bonus of preventing flies from landing on and biting your horse. Make sure to use a fan made for agricultural or outdoor usethese have a motor sealed against dust to reduce the risk of a fire.
When sponging or hosing your horse scrape off the water immediately to assist the cooling process.
A quick bath after a hot ride is a welcome relief too. This not only rinses off sweat which can turn into a salty crust and cause skin irritation but also brings down your horses body temperature.
Make sure you use a sweat scraper to remove the water which heats up almost instantly and will insulate your horse instead of cooling him down. So sponge or spray with cool water then scrape and repeat. The process of evaporation as he dries will cool him down as well.
Hoof care
The wetdry cycles of summer can create a challenging environment for your horses hooves as they dry out and get wet again.
Regular farrier visits should be continued through the summer and dry cracked hooves might need some daily moisturizer to prevent chips and cracks. Try to avoid having your horse stand in a wet wash stall for long periods.
Alternating extreme wet and dry ground may also cause hoof abscesses as the hoof naturally expands and contracts in response to its immediate environment creating tiny openings in the sole for bacteria to enter.
By keeping these summer health tips in mind your horse should be ready to tackle any adventure you have planned this season.