Beating the Heat: Keeping Horses Cool & Comfortable During Summer

Summer is a season of sunshine, long rides, and lush green pastures—but it also brings heat, humidity, and the potential for serious health risks to our equine partners. Horses are incredibly resilient animals, but they are also susceptible to heat stress, dehydration, and sun-related issues during the hotter months.

Whether you’re a seasoned barn owner or a first-time OTTB adopter, here’s a comprehensive guide to keeping your horse cool, hydrated, and happy all summer long.

FE resident, Rolo (left), making friends with FETRP adoptable horse, Jackson (right). These two could be twins!

Understanding How Horses Handle Heat

Horses naturally regulate their body temperature through sweating. In fact, they can lose up to 2-4 gallons of sweat per hour during intense exercise in the heat! But when temperatures soar and humidity rises, their ability to cool down is compromised, which can lead to:

• Heat Stress

• Dehydration

• Heat Stroke

• Poor Performance or Attitude Changes

Recognizing the signs early and implementing smart cooling strategies can make all the difference.

1. Prioritize Hydration

A hydrated horse is a happy horse. Always ensure free-choice, clean water is available—especially if your horse is on a hay-based diet, which provides less moisture than pasture.

Tips:

• Provide multiple water sources in turnout areas and stalls.

• Use large rubber water troughs and scrub them out regularly to prevent algae.

• Consider adding electrolytes (loose or in feed) if your horse sweats heavily or isn’t drinking enough.

• Flavor water with apple juice or peppermint tea to encourage drinking, especially when traveling.

2. Turnout Timing & Shelter

Avoid turning horses out during the hottest part of the day, usually between 12–5 PM. If possible, adjust their routine:

• Early morning or overnight turnout is best during extreme heat.

• Ensure plenty of shade is available—either from trees, run-in sheds, or man-made shelters.

• If no natural shade exists, consider installing a lightweight UV-resistant canopy or tarp.

3. Encourage Airflow

Stale, stagnant air in a barn can quickly become a furnace.

Ventilation strategies:

• Use closed-motor fans or aisle fans with safety cages (avoid household fans near hay or bedding).

• Open windows, stall doors, and barn doors to maximize cross-breezes.

• If your barn is especially hot, consider misting systems to cool the air.

FE sales horse, Leo, getting hoses off after a hot day!

4. Cooling After Exercise

Exercise on hot days demands a proper cooldown. Here’s the safest and most effective way:

1. Walk out the horse until respiratory rate slows.

2. Use cold water hosing on the neck, chest, and legs.

3. Scrape off water immediately—standing water traps heat!

4. Repeat as needed until the horse’s skin feels cool to the touch.

5. Protect Skin and Coat

Sunburn can affect sensitive-skinned or light-colored horses, especially around the muzzle, blaze, or socks.

Preventive measures:

• Apply sunscreen (zinc oxide or equine-safe formulas) to pink skin.

• Use UV-blocking fly masks with nose covers.

• Offer shaded areas during peak sunlight hours.

• Consider lightweight fly sheets with UV protection.

6. Manage Diet in the Heat

Horses tend to eat less when it’s hot, and soaked feeds can help keep them hydrated.

• Soak beet pulp, alfalfa cubes, or even pelleted feed to increase water intake.

• Avoid feeding large amounts of starch-heavy grain mid-day when digestion generates extra body heat.

• Offer free-choice mineral salt blocks or top-dress electrolytes as needed.

FE sales horse, Kalik, cooling off with fans inside and outside of his stall.

7. Know the Signs of Heat Stress

Being able to identify a horse in trouble is crucial.

Watch for:

• Rapid or labored breathing

• Excessive sweating or no sweating (anhidrosis)

• Lethargy or stumbling

• Elevated heart rate for prolonged periods

• Dark, concentrated urine

• Depression or refusal to eat

If you suspect heat stroke, move the horse to shade, hose with cold water, offer small sips of water, and call your vet immediately.

Heat Index for Riding: When Is It Too Hot?

Riding in the heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. A horse’s ability to regulate temperature is compromised when heat and humidity combine. That’s where the Heat Index comes in.

To calculate the Heat Index for horses, add the temperature (°F) and the humidity (%):

Heat Index = Temperature (°F) + Humidity (%)

Example:

• Temp: 88°F

• Humidity: 65%

• Heat Index: 88 + 65 = 153

That’s high risk. Keep the ride short and low-intensity, or postpone it.

Heat stress can accumulate over several days of high temps, so even if the index drops temporarily, your horse may still be feeling the effects. Prioritize recovery and hydration on cooler days, too.

Bonus Tips

• Clip long coats on horses that don’t shed well.

• Offer frozen treats like apple-carrot cubes or watermelon in moderation.

• Use fly sprays and fans to reduce irritability from bugs, which can stress an already overheated horse.

Summer Horsekeeping Is All About Balance

It’s not about canceling summer rides or turning your horse into a barn potato—it’s about listening to your horse, adjusting your schedule, and offering the tools they need to stay safe. With thoughtful care and some strategic planning, your horse can enjoy the summer months just as much as you do.

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