Whilst the Summer weather is welcomed with open arms, this can cause some problems when taking care of your horses. Many horses find the heat uncomfortable but there is plenty that we can do to reduce this. As a horse owner there are many things you need to be aware of and below we’ve outlined things that need to be taken into consideration when taking care of your horse.
Sunburn
Whilst sunburn in horses is more likely to occur during the summer months, it’s important to not forget that this can be damaging all year round. It goes without saying that having ample shaded areas for your horse is extremely important. If you find that your horse is suffering with mild sunburn on his face or muzzle, apply some Barrier Aloe Vera Gel to cool the surface and help heal the burns. You should also apply suncream on top of this to prevent further burning, ensuring plenty of water to prevent dehydration. The more hydrated your horse is, the faster the sunburn will heal.
Image Credit: Wynnstay
Dehydration
Dehydration in your horse can have huge implications on their health such as faeces becoming abnormally dry which is why it is extremely important to have drinking water available for your horse ensuring they’re well hydrated at all times.
Top tip: Soaking hay and wetting feed can help to increase the daily water intake.
Heat Stress
Sponging down your horse’s body and legs is essential when helping your horse / pony avoid heat stress in those long hot summer months. Try to avoid the hottest parts of the day for putting your horses to work, for example, the earlier hours of the day when it’s most cool is best advised. It goes without saying that you should have ample shade for your horses at all times throughout the day, natural shade and or man made is sufficient.
Top tip: Cool your horse down slowly after going for a ride or drive in the sun.
Flies
Ensuring you have a good fly repellent is essential as part of your daily horse care routine in the warmer months. If your horse has sores and bites on the body from flies then cold hosing your horse can help to ease the pain and swelling. Fly repellent should be used regardless of having a fly rug or not, the number one necessity when trying to avoid fly attacks on your horse is the repellent, a simple fly rug alone is not as effective as using both preventative methods in one.
Image Credit: Wynnstay
Hoof Problems
As the ground gets harder you may need to look into taking extra care of your horses hooves. Here are some daily routines to consider:
- Inspect the wall of the hoof
- Check for wear, particularly uneven wear
- Using a hoof brush be sure to clean out dirt from the hooves each day
- Pick out your horses feet, make sure there is nothing trapped inside that could cause inflammation or infection
Following the steps above will heavily reduce the amount of problems your horses face over the warm months with their hooves, small daily tasks prevent big problems further down the line.
