How to Care for Your Horse in Extreme Heat
Sometimes our summer months can be devastating on our horses. While some horses are fine and show no symptoms of dehydration, others can become extremely dehydrated and die when the "real" temperature reaches above 90 degrees.
When summer comes and the temperature starts to climb you can be ready for it and avoid uneccessary vet bills. Here are some simple tasks and tips to follow during the heat of the summer.
1. Fans - Install a portable fan in your horse's stall. If you can, install 2 fans. Be sure your fan is an industrial type fan. They last longer and are usually never a fire hazzard. Always check with an electrician for the best advice on installing your fans. Extention cords should be avoided if possible. If you must use an extention cord, make sure the length is no longer than the length necessary and make sure it is a new cord replacing your old cord from the year before. Be sure that your fan is clean and clear of dust. If you have just pulled your dusty fan out of storage and plan to use it you can hose it off with a water hose. Place it in the sun to dry completely before turning on. I usually let the fan sit in the sun for an entire day before turning it on.
2. Salt - A white salt block should be available for your horse year round. In the summer when the temperature starts to climb above 90 degrees, the best way to ensure that your horse is drinking an adaquate amount of water is to add a teaspoon of salt to their grain ration in the morning. This way you know your horse will become thirsty to drink.
3. Grass - If your horse has access to grass, make sure they get at least 15 minutes of grass a day if pasture is not available. Grass is very important when the temperature reaches 100 degrees! If pasture is not available, take your horse for a walk and allow it to graze for 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day. This puts moisture in their gut to prevent dehydration. If for some reason you are not able to take your horse out of the barn for grazing, be sure to get a muck bucket and a pair of scissors to cut the grass with scissors and take the grass to your horse twice a day. DO NOT give your horse grass clippings from a lawn mower. There is gasoline and grease in grass clippings and it can harm your horse!
4. Electrolytes - On the days that the "real" temperature reaches above 95 degrees you can give your horse a standing dose of electrolytes in their morning grain ration. Standing dose means the recommended dosage when you are NOT riding. If you are planning to ride, give your horse a full dose as recommended on the electrolyte supplement as directed. Usually, a standing dose is one half of the recommended dose. Read the instructions carefully.
5. Water - Your horse's water in-take should be measured throughout the summer months. Always make sure their water is fresh and the bucket is clean. You will want to make sure there is plenty of fresh water available to your horse all day long. To help encourage your horse to drink, ensuring there is not a problem or illness with your horse that doesn't allow them to have apples, you can quarter cut an apple and drop it in their water bucket in the morning and evening. That is 2 apples a day per horse. This will encourage them to drink as they try to bite the apple in the water.
6. Checking for dehydration - Most of the time you can pinch your horse on the neck to see if they are hydrated. If the skin quickly goes back into place after you pinch it, your horse is in good shape. If the skin slowly moves back into place, contact your vet if you cannot get your horse to drink. Take your horse out for grass to see if it will eat grass. This is the first step to take when a horse is dehydrated. If the horse will not eat grass, more than likely they need vet assistance and an IV administered. Timing is critical when your horse is dehydrated! Especially if they do not want to eat grass. The moisture required for their gut is very important. You can try adminstering a full dose of electrolytes by mouth from a syringe. Hose the horse off and offer water from the hose. Usually at this point your horse will have symptoms of colic. If your horse has just gone down from dehydration, let your vet know and they may tell you to go ahead an give them a pain medication. It is very important to let your vet determine if the horse can have bantamine. There is a small window of opportunity when a horse is dehydrated to administer bantamine. If it is too late it can cause more harm than good and the horse can twist colic and die. This is why it is so important to make sure your horse gets proper care during the heat of the summer.
When summer comes and the temperature starts to climb you can be ready for it and avoid uneccessary vet bills. Here are some simple tasks and tips to follow during the heat of the summer.
1. Fans - Install a portable fan in your horse's stall. If you can, install 2 fans. Be sure your fan is an industrial type fan. They last longer and are usually never a fire hazzard. Always check with an electrician for the best advice on installing your fans. Extention cords should be avoided if possible. If you must use an extention cord, make sure the length is no longer than the length necessary and make sure it is a new cord replacing your old cord from the year before. Be sure that your fan is clean and clear of dust. If you have just pulled your dusty fan out of storage and plan to use it you can hose it off with a water hose. Place it in the sun to dry completely before turning on. I usually let the fan sit in the sun for an entire day before turning it on.
2. Salt - A white salt block should be available for your horse year round. In the summer when the temperature starts to climb above 90 degrees, the best way to ensure that your horse is drinking an adaquate amount of water is to add a teaspoon of salt to their grain ration in the morning. This way you know your horse will become thirsty to drink.
3. Grass - If your horse has access to grass, make sure they get at least 15 minutes of grass a day if pasture is not available. Grass is very important when the temperature reaches 100 degrees! If pasture is not available, take your horse for a walk and allow it to graze for 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day. This puts moisture in their gut to prevent dehydration. If for some reason you are not able to take your horse out of the barn for grazing, be sure to get a muck bucket and a pair of scissors to cut the grass with scissors and take the grass to your horse twice a day. DO NOT give your horse grass clippings from a lawn mower. There is gasoline and grease in grass clippings and it can harm your horse!
4. Electrolytes - On the days that the "real" temperature reaches above 95 degrees you can give your horse a standing dose of electrolytes in their morning grain ration. Standing dose means the recommended dosage when you are NOT riding. If you are planning to ride, give your horse a full dose as recommended on the electrolyte supplement as directed. Usually, a standing dose is one half of the recommended dose. Read the instructions carefully.
5. Water - Your horse's water in-take should be measured throughout the summer months. Always make sure their water is fresh and the bucket is clean. You will want to make sure there is plenty of fresh water available to your horse all day long. To help encourage your horse to drink, ensuring there is not a problem or illness with your horse that doesn't allow them to have apples, you can quarter cut an apple and drop it in their water bucket in the morning and evening. That is 2 apples a day per horse. This will encourage them to drink as they try to bite the apple in the water.
6. Checking for dehydration - Most of the time you can pinch your horse on the neck to see if they are hydrated. If the skin quickly goes back into place after you pinch it, your horse is in good shape. If the skin slowly moves back into place, contact your vet if you cannot get your horse to drink. Take your horse out for grass to see if it will eat grass. This is the first step to take when a horse is dehydrated. If the horse will not eat grass, more than likely they need vet assistance and an IV administered. Timing is critical when your horse is dehydrated! Especially if they do not want to eat grass. The moisture required for their gut is very important. You can try adminstering a full dose of electrolytes by mouth from a syringe. Hose the horse off and offer water from the hose. Usually at this point your horse will have symptoms of colic. If your horse has just gone down from dehydration, let your vet know and they may tell you to go ahead an give them a pain medication. It is very important to let your vet determine if the horse can have bantamine. There is a small window of opportunity when a horse is dehydrated to administer bantamine. If it is too late it can cause more harm than good and the horse can twist colic and die. This is why it is so important to make sure your horse gets proper care during the heat of the summer.