Summer is here, and it’s time for trips to the beach and outdoor celebrations with friends and family. For our equine friends, it also means it’s time for a little extra TLC to keep them cool and healthy when the sun is high in the sky. 

At Woodside Equine Clinic, we’re proud to provide horse lovers in our community with a full range of veterinary care for horses, and in this blog, our team shares valuable tips for summer horse care. 

Horse Cooling Techniques

Nothing says summer like sunny skies and warm temperatures, but for horses, the midday heat can be dangerous. Make these horse-cooling techniques part of your summer horse care:

• Turning horses out improves their physical and mental health, and reduces their risk of gastrointestinal problems like colic, but in the summer, schedule turnout times for the coolest parts of the day—early morning or overnight. 
• Horse hydration in the summer is critical. Make sure your horses have plenty of fresh, clean water, and clean troughs frequently to prevent algae and bacteria buildup.
• Plan accordingly to reduce how much your horses exert themselves in the heat. Older horses, those that are overweight, and young foals are particularly prone to heat exhaustion.
• Hose off your horses during the summer heat, beginning with the hooves and moving upward.
• Add a large fan outside the stable (so the cords are out of reach). 
• Make sure your horse always has access to shade.

Summer Riding Tips

While the summer heat is a significant concern for horse owners—and you should avoid riding in the heat of the day—there are other things to think about too. Practice these summer riding tips for your horse’s optimal safety and comfort:

• As the days get longer, the flies seem to multiply. Reduce head tossing during the ride by protecting your horse’s ears and eyes with a fly mask designed specifically for riding. 
• When grooming your horse after a ride, use the opportunity to check for irritation and bug bites. 
• Use sun protection for horses to prevent sunburn, especially if you have a horse with pink skin. Fly masks are helpful for this, as is sunscreen made for horses.

Seasonal Horse Management Starts With Wellness Care

In the summer months, there is a much higher risk of insect-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus, so it’s important to keep your horses up to date with vaccinations and parasite protection. Plus, if you’re traveling with your horse to shows or fairs, your horse is at risk of horse-to-horse disease transmission. 

Contact Us for More Summer Horse Care Tips

Contact us today for more summer horse care tips or if your horses are due for wellness exams. We’ll help you keep your horses healthy and cool this summer!