Summer Riding: How to Ride Safely in the Heat

In my opinion, getting on your horse for a half-hour a day, four or five days a week, should be sufficient to keep him going well. Going round and round out in the heat, trying to perfect something, is just asking for getting into a fight with your horse. Set yourself up for success! None of us is going to win a fight with a horse! We all know that!

4. Hydrate and Use Fly Masks

We can't discuss summer riding without discussing the importance of staying hydrated! Drink lots of water and make sure your horse has access to clean water at all times. For horses who don't drink enough water, you may consider supplementing them with electrolytes, especially if they work extra hard or live outdoors 24/7.

If your horse lives outside all the time, hopefully, he has access to some shade! If the flies are really bad, he would probably appreciate a fly mask. I sometimes have mixed feelings about fly masks. Just because I see how sweaty the horses' faces get ... it is really a matter of opinion!

Enjoy the Lazy Days of Summer!

Drink lots of water, ride early or late, keep your sessions short and sweet, and don't forget the bug spray. Lastly, remember to drink, drink, drink! Have a lazy ride in the shade or relax in the shade with your horse—there is a reason why they call it "the lazy days of summer"!