Let’s talk about caring for performance horses in hot weather. Heat and humidity put an added burden on horses during training, showing and hauling. Unlike humans, horses are actually better equipped to work in cold weather than in the heat. They generate a significant amount of internal heat, and high humidity makes it difficult for them to cool down.
A horse’s main cooling mechanism is evaporation of sweat from the skin surface. When humidity is high, this process is less effective. This can lead to heat stress which is hard on the body and can impair performance. A horse’s normal temperature is 99–101° F, but in hot, humid conditions, it can climb to dangerous levels of 106–107° F.
Managing your horse in the heat involves a few key steps:
- Monitor Conditions: Be aware of the heat index. You can do a simple calculation: Ambient Temperature (° F) + Relative Humidity (%) – Wind Speed (mph). A result over 140 indicates your horse may struggle to cool down.
- Replenish Electrolytes: Sweating depletes essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride. Horses working at light to moderate levels will receive adequate electrolytes from nutritionally balanced feed, good quality hay and a salt block.
- Supplement Wisely: For intense work, you may need to add electrolytes. Provide additional electrolyte supplementation the day before, the day of, and the day after an event in which the horse works extremely hard and sweats excessively. Never give electrolytes to a dehydrated horse.
Staying vigilant about heat and hydration helps ensure your horse remains healthy and performs at its best, even when the temperature rises.
Don’t forget to visit your local Steinhauser’s for all your equine needs!
By Karen E. Davison, Ph.D., Manager – Technical Services, Purina Mills, LLC