Hot Weather Horse Care

per day.
. Provide salt and electrolytes as needed. 
These may be useful if your horse has been sweating excessively. However horses must consume water to gain the maximum benefit from supplemented electrolytes and avoid dehydration. Ensure that your horse has access to plain fresh water to encourage appropriate water intake. If you have not used electrolytes before outline a plan with your veterinarian and be sure to use only electrolytes specifically made for horses.
5. Limit exertion during peak heat.
Ride during cooler early mornings or late evenings. On hot humid days the horse gets hotter much faster than the rider and is more susceptible to the serious effects heat stress. Remember to go slow provide frequent breaks and stay in the shade whenever possible. 
. Plan ahead for trailering. 
Trailer in the early morning or late evening hours when it is cooler. Never leave horses in a parked trailer especially if there is no shade. Temperatures inside a trailer can rapidly reach 140 degrees and horses can quickly develop heat stroke. Optimize ventilation and airflow as much as possible by opening vents and windows but for safety reasons dont let the horse stick its head out while on the road. Be very careful when hauling foals as they are more susceptible to heat than adult horses.
7. Turnout during cooler hours and provide shade. 
Provide your horse with as much shade in the turnout area as possible. Trees runin sheds and other structures with good ventilation can provide relief from the sun.
8. Ensure good air circulation in the barn. 
Open windows and doors to provide crossventilation. Try to arrange for more air circulation by careful placement of fans in front of the stalls or in the aisleways. Be sure to keep electric cords out of reach of horses. Exercise caution with any electrical
appliances in a barn as faulty wiring or inadequate circuits can cause a fire.
9. To lower body temperature hose off your horse or pour a bucket of water over your horse. 
Evaporation produces cooling and continuous hosing is one of the most effective means of lowering body temperature. Use water that is cool or lukewarm but never hot. Studies have shown that one of the best ways to cool a hot sweaty horse is to provide a wholebody shower. The colder the water the faster the core body temperature will come down. Continuous application of water is ideal. Research has also shown that sweat scraping or removing the water from the horses coat is not necessary. Failing to remove excess water will not make your horse any hotter or have detrimental effects on health.