BEAT THE HEAT

Try These Tips to Keep Your Horse Cool as Temperatures Rise

- MATT COBBLE

WHILE OUR RECENT COLD SNAPS may make us forget for a time, summertime in Florida is never far off. This does have its advantages, such as longer days to enjoy the outdoors, but our Floridian summers do have some drawbacks, especially for our equine friends. Although horses do have mechanisms for self-regulation of their temperature, such as sweat glands and increasing their respiration, those tactics are somewhat less effective in high humidity. We’ve collected a few tips to help make sure you (and your horse) are able to make the most out of summer.

Plan Ahead for Turnout

Although it may seem kinder to leave your horse in the shelter of the stable all day during hot summer days, it’s best for their overall well-being to have some time outdoors (or “turnout”) at some point in the day. Midday is out of the question — the temperatures can easily climb past 90 degrees. Evening or overnight turnout are options, but many horse owners are uncomfortable with some of the risks of leaving their horses turned out all night unsupervised. Turning your horse out early in the day allows them plenty of time to run, roam, and graze and still get back into shelter before the heat of the day becomes overbearing.

Lead Your Horse to Water