How to Cool Out a Horse in Hot Weather

Cooling out after a workout

• 1

  To prevent your horse from overheating when you ride during the hottest part of the year, ride in the early morning or late in the evening when it is coolest. If the temperature and humidity are both high, avoid hard riding.

• 2

  You may want to add electrolytes to your horse's feed to help offset those that he will lost through sweat.

• 3

  You can help keep your horse cool during your ride by hosing his chest and legs down before you ride and by sponging water on him during your workout.

• 4

  Once you are done working your horse but before you dismount, walk him for a few minutes to begin cooling him out.

• 5

  Dismount and loosen the girth or cinch. Walk him for a minute or two before untacking him.

• 6

  After removing his saddle and bridle, give him a drink of water. It is a myth that horses cannot drink when they're hot - they shouldn't drink unlimited water, but a few drinks will help cool them off.

• 7

  Hose your horse off, starting with his legs and working up his body. Be sure to hose under his tail and hose his face if he will let you. If you do not have a hose, use a sponge and bucket and sponge him down.

• 8

  If your horse is especially hot, you may want to scrap the excess water off of him and hose him down again to aid cooling. On your final hose-down, do not scrap the water off and leave him wet. As the water evaporates, it will help him cool off.

• 9

  Some people like to use lineament on their horse after hosing him down to help ease muscles.

• 10

  Walk your horse slowly until his breathing and heart-rate return to normal. You can walk him next to you or put him on a hot walker. Once he's cooled down and breathing and heart-rate have returned to normal, you can put him in his stall, pasture or paddock. It is best to not feed him for at least one hour after a hard workout.

Cooling off an overheated horse

• 11

  Although horses can generally adapt well to varying temperatures, sometimes they overheat. Very old, very young, ill horses or those with anhydrosis are particularly at risk. Observe your horse. Is he breathing heavily or panting? Is he sweating profusely? Take him temperature. Is it elevated? If so, he may be overheating.

• 12

  Hose your horse off with cold water immediately. Start at his legs and work your way off. Be sure to hose under his tail and hose his head (if he will let you). Scrap the water off and repeat. You can also sponge cold water mixed with rubbing alcohol over the horse's large muscle areas to encourage evaporation.

• 13

  Let your horse drink some water. Contrary to popular belief, drinking water will not cause a horse to colic or founder.

• 14

  Keep your horse out of the sun. If possible, put him in front of a fan.

• 15

  Monitor his vital signs.

• 16

  If his breathing and temperature do not return to normal following cool water baths, call your veterinarian.