Here’s your essential summer checklist to keep horses safe when temperatures rise:
• Ride early or late – avoid the heat!
• Travel cool – go morning or evening, avoid traffic, and bring water, fans and a generator if needed.
• Competing? Only do it if your horse is truly heat-prepped – adjust your pace or classes if not.
• Warm-up wisely – break it into short sessions with cooling in between.
Water, water, water – plain and plenty, ideally 15–25°C.
• Use shade and breeze – a cool breeze + wet skin beats a hot horsebox any day.
• Electrolytes? Add them properly – no last-minute overloads!
Spot the signs of heat stress:; laboured breathing, heavy sweating, lethargy, or unsteadiness.
Cool fast, cool often – cold water all over, no scraping, 10–15 mins minimum.
Don’t rely on rugs or ice packs – water is king.
Older, heavier, darker-coated or health-compromised horses are at even greater risk – be extra vigilant. If in doubt, cool first, call your vet.
Your horse’s health comes before rosettes.
