Horses in Summer: Heat, Hydration, and Stable Management
The Iberian summer poses specific challenges for equine management: daytime temperatures exceeding 35°C, intense radiation, fly and horsefly pressure, declining pasture quality, and silent dehydration. A good summer plan prevents heatstroke, colic due to dehydration, and loss of physical condition.
Hydration and Water Consumption
An adult horse drinks between 25 and 55 liters daily under normal conditions. In summer, this consumption can double. Water should always be available, clean, and at a moderate temperature (not exposed to the sun all day). If the horse appears to be drinking little, an alternative is to add a little apple or carrot to the water, or wet the hay before serving it.
Work Schedules
It is most sensible to work the horse first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, avoiding the middle of the day. If the only option is to work in the sun, the intensity of the session should be reduced, walks at a trot extended, and intense cardio work discarded. An indoor arena or forest are alternatives.
Shade and Ventilation in the Stable
The stall should have cross-ventilation and, if possible, a fan. South-facing stables without protection can reach unbearable temperatures in August. Having access to natural shade (trees, shelters) during grazing hours is a priority, even if it reduces the useful area of the pasture.
Fly and Horsefly Management
Insect pressure in summer causes chronic stress to the horse and can lead to dermatitis. Combined measures work better than a single one: mask, fly sheet, authorized topical repellent, manure management (kept away, covered), and traps. Stomach worms (Habronema) require special attention.
Warning Signs: Heatstroke
A horse with heatstroke presents rapid and shallow breathing, dark mucous membranes, sparse sweat despite exertion, and a rectal temperature above 40°C. It is an emergency: work must be stopped, the horse moved to the shade, doused with cold water starting with the large veins (neck, shoulder, groin), and the vet called immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to shower the horse after working in summer?
Yes, as long as the horse is not in full cardiac exertion. Showering starts from the extremities and moves upwards, removing excess water with a scraper to avoid leaving it soaked in the sun.
Should electrolytes be given every day?
Not by default. Electrolytes are indicated when there is significant sustained sweating for several days or after demanding efforts. Routine use without need can irritate the stomach.
Can it graze all day in summer?
It depends on the pasture and available shade. If there is real shade and water, yes. If it is a bare pasture in the sun, it is advisable to rotate schedules so that the horse enters the stall during the central hours.
Related Content
- How to lead a horse by the halter correctly
- Glossary of horse parts
- Glossary of gaits and horse movements
- Shod vs. barefoot horse
- Horse care in spring
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