Horses and hot weather?

I live in IN and we also have a heat wave on the way. It's currently in the mid 90's but they are projecting 100-110 by the end of the week.

My mare hates the heat, she's rather hide in her shelter all day than go out and graze. She also begs to come in at night and get in her stall and stand in front of her fan.

So, I usually throw a few flakes of hay in her shed so she can eat and stay cool at the same time.

I also hose her off every evening, especially her chest.

Fly spray also helps so your horses don't have to spend so much time swishing and stomping around, even though they usually sweat it off by noon :/

Lastly, 24/7 access to clean water is probably the most important.

My daughters work at a horse barn and when the temps are soaring, they change their schedule and have the horses stay in the barn during the day with fans going and out at night. Also, remember that if you wetting your horse to keep it cool, you still need to scrape the water off as soon as you are finished. The water acts like an insulated blanket if left on.

Hey I live in Michigan too! The thumb area. I can't leave my horses in the barn because it gets way too hot in there. My thermometer said 96 in there yesterday! I just make sure there water is filled and rinse em off with the hose every once in a while. Not really much we can do.

that is on no account too warm for a tub. The water won't get trapped interior the coat - use a sweat scraper to squeegee it out. the horse will probably get excitement from the cooling water. If I have been you, i might journey first and bathe afterwards. it ought to no longer be too warm to journey, yet you have have been given to take it ordinary with what you do, watching the horse's well being point.

LOTS of water; 24/7 access to it. Even though the fan is blowing hot air, it still helps as it gives a breeze for them.

Right now its like 95+ degrees out, so we have some of our horses in a shady pasture with a little bit of sun.

And we have fans hanging in random places on the fences; and a few of our fans have a water thing on them so they kind of spray a mist on them.

But anyways,

24/7 access to CLEAN water

Fans always help

Hose them down every now and then.

Lots of shade

Fly spray works to.

Good luck!

~Bailey.

Showers. I make sure they have plenty of water and try to keep the bugs off. They know when to get in out of the sun. I have a run in shed available for them when they choose. But they love to line up for the hose showers!

Shower them off as much as you can. If you have some cheap soap you can use, giving baths is really the best. It will make them less sweaty, sticky, and gross feeling. I shower my horse off 3 times a day, and give her a bath in the evening. Have a fun by her stall, and make sure they have tons of cool water.

Good Luck! :)

rinse off with cool water every day, whether i ride or not