Cooling Down Your Horse When It’s Hot Outside
When there’s hot weather outside, it’s essential that you keep your horses cool. Here are some tips on keeping their temperature regulated even when the weather is hot:
Water
The most obvious thing to keep an eye out for is also one of the most important. Keep your horse’s drinking supply of water fresh and cool. If you have a lot of horses in one place, make sure they can all reach it.
Water also has another purpose. If your horse is getting a little hot, consider sponging down the problem spots such as the legs, stomach and neck with cool water. Don’t get the water in the face or ears.
Working time
If you know that the middle of the day is going to be brutal, work your horse during the morning or in the evening when the heat isn’t as bad. Most importantly, you’ll both be happier about not being in the heat.
Shelter
Your horses don’t have to be inside to have shelter. A nice bit of shade can provide a lot of relief. If you keep your horses inside their stables that’s a good option too. If it’s a bit too stuffy in there, a fan that is out of reach of your horses could be a good option to keep them cool.
Clean, Fresh Ways to Provide Water for your Horses During the Hot Summer Months
Posted: June 01, 2019
Horses are considered some of the finest animals known to man. Like any animal, during the hot summer months, horses need fresh, clean water to stay hydrated and healthy.
Every horse is unique to its own. Therefore, the needs of your horse will differ from the needs of other horses. Play close attention to air temperature, work load, food consumption, size, and health of the horse. All of these factors help determine the amount of water your horse will need to stay healthy. Horses should always have water available in their stables and pastures to help maintain their health.
There are multiple ways to provide fresh water for your horses. One way to provide fresh water for your horses is using a good old fashioned bucket. Buckets are simple and easy to use. They are also easy to clean. However, the downside to using buckets is that they are heavier to carry and can spill unless safely secured. This could require more time and effort than you may have to properly provide water for your horse.
Another way to provide water for your horses is automatic waterers. Automatic waterers offer a more convenient way of providing fresh water for your horse, and can also be used outdoors in the pasture. When using a automatic waterer, your horse may not know how to use it at first. Therefore, be sure to encourage your horse to use the waterer and use it properly. Automatic waterers need to be cleaned and refilled regularly. They can often become filled with leaves or insects, which should be cleaned out daily to prevent bacterial formation. Containers should also be scrubbed every week to prevent algae build up and debris from contaminating the water. Sometimes the frequency of cleaning the containers can change depending on the time of the year and how quickly it becomes dirty. Always make sure the bucket or automatic waterer is clean before your horse drinks from it.
When in the pasture, it is possible to provide clean water for your horses from natural sources, but be sure to test it before allowing your horses to drink from it. Call your local health or agricultural extension to get professional advice about what is safe for your horses. Some owners rely on spring fed ponds or streams to provide water for their horses during the summer. When using natural sources, make sure the source is easily accessible for your horses. Any unsafe water sources should be fenced off to prevent your horses from drinking contaminated or unsafe water. Always provide clean, fresh water for your horses to protect them bacterial diseases and dehydration.
Water
The most obvious thing to keep an eye out for is also one of the most important. Keep your horse’s drinking supply of water fresh and cool. If you have a lot of horses in one place, make sure they can all reach it.
Water also has another purpose. If your horse is getting a little hot, consider sponging down the problem spots such as the legs, stomach and neck with cool water. Don’t get the water in the face or ears.
Working time
If you know that the middle of the day is going to be brutal, work your horse during the morning or in the evening when the heat isn’t as bad. Most importantly, you’ll both be happier about not being in the heat.
Shelter
Your horses don’t have to be inside to have shelter. A nice bit of shade can provide a lot of relief. If you keep your horses inside their stables that’s a good option too. If it’s a bit too stuffy in there, a fan that is out of reach of your horses could be a good option to keep them cool.
Clean, Fresh Ways to Provide Water for your Horses During the Hot Summer Months
Posted: June 01, 2019
Horses are considered some of the finest animals known to man. Like any animal, during the hot summer months, horses need fresh, clean water to stay hydrated and healthy.
Every horse is unique to its own. Therefore, the needs of your horse will differ from the needs of other horses. Play close attention to air temperature, work load, food consumption, size, and health of the horse. All of these factors help determine the amount of water your horse will need to stay healthy. Horses should always have water available in their stables and pastures to help maintain their health.
There are multiple ways to provide fresh water for your horses. One way to provide fresh water for your horses is using a good old fashioned bucket. Buckets are simple and easy to use. They are also easy to clean. However, the downside to using buckets is that they are heavier to carry and can spill unless safely secured. This could require more time and effort than you may have to properly provide water for your horse.
Another way to provide water for your horses is automatic waterers. Automatic waterers offer a more convenient way of providing fresh water for your horse, and can also be used outdoors in the pasture. When using a automatic waterer, your horse may not know how to use it at first. Therefore, be sure to encourage your horse to use the waterer and use it properly. Automatic waterers need to be cleaned and refilled regularly. They can often become filled with leaves or insects, which should be cleaned out daily to prevent bacterial formation. Containers should also be scrubbed every week to prevent algae build up and debris from contaminating the water. Sometimes the frequency of cleaning the containers can change depending on the time of the year and how quickly it becomes dirty. Always make sure the bucket or automatic waterer is clean before your horse drinks from it.
When in the pasture, it is possible to provide clean water for your horses from natural sources, but be sure to test it before allowing your horses to drink from it. Call your local health or agricultural extension to get professional advice about what is safe for your horses. Some owners rely on spring fed ponds or streams to provide water for their horses during the summer. When using natural sources, make sure the source is easily accessible for your horses. Any unsafe water sources should be fenced off to prevent your horses from drinking contaminated or unsafe water. Always provide clean, fresh water for your horses to protect them bacterial diseases and dehydration.