Summer is here, bringing with it warmer temperatures and longer days. As temperatures rise so do the risks of your horse experiencing a heat-related ailment, such as dehydration and heatstroke. To make the most of your summer riding opportunities, keep an eye on your horse and modify your training and care program.

The Basics
The average horse at rest drinks 8-10 gallons of water a day. When temperatures rise above 70° F, horses in work can drink twice as much. Make sure your horse has access to clean, fresh and cool water at all times, whether turned out or in his stall. By drinking cool water, your horse will be able to lower his body temperature on his own. Providing shade to your horse throughout the day is almost as important as making sure your horse has access to water. Make sure your pastures offer several shade options to your horse(s). If there aren't shade bearing trees in your field, offer an escape from the sun with a run-in shed. As shade and water go together in importance, place your water troughs in shady areas.

Electrolytes
You know summer is here when the tack shops have a whole section devoted to electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals in the horse's body fluids and tissues that are involved in muscle contraction, thirst regulation, nerve function and maintenance of blood pH. Electrolytes can be found in your hay, pasture, and even your feeds. Horses in work, especially those who travel to compete, need additional electrolytes to maintain good health and perform at their highest level.

Like humans, horses use sweating as a way to cool off during periods of warm weather and while exercising. When a horse sweats, not only is water lost, but important electrolytes like sodium, chloride, and potassium are lost. If too many electrolytes are lost serious problems like fatigue, muscle cramps and colic can occur.

When looking for an electrolyte for your horse, sodium chloride should be listed first on the ingredient list, followed by potassium chloride as the second ingredient. There are two types of electrolytes, salt-based and sugar-based. While sugar-based electrolytes are highly palatable, you won't meet your horse's daily salt requirements without feeding a lot of the sugar-based electrolyte.

Adjust Your Schedule
As summer temperatures rise, the local meteorologists often suggest we avoid exercising during the heat of the day, typically 11 am to 3 pm. You should apply this same advice when trying to decide when to work your horse during the summer. When possible try to beat the heat by riding either in the morning or late evening.

In addition to changing the hours at which you ride, change the duration of your ride. A short workout in hot, humid conditions is the same as a longer workout in more pleasant weather, in terms of stress placed on the horse. Take plenty of rest breaks, to help your horse cool down during your exercise session. After you finish exercising your horse, don't just drop him off in his stall like a hot potato. Take your time and properly cool him off. Take him for an extended walk, hose him off and keep scraping the water off to speed up the cooling process or put him in front of a fan.

Trailering in the Heat
When competing this summer you need to come up with a plan for how you will safely get your horse to the competition. The heat and humidity of the summer can create oven-like conditions in your trailer.

Even when the weather is cool and humidity is low, traveling is work for a horse. Riding in a trailer can fatigue a horse as they constantly have to work to balance themselves in the moving trailer. Add in warm temperatures and you can easily have a horse that arrives at its destination dehydrated and fatigued.

To minimize fatigue, alter your travel schedule and transport your horse either in the evening or early in the morning, whatever is cooler. Before putting your horse on the trailer make sure you have opened all the windows and air vents to get cool air circulating before loading. If you have fans on your trailer, turn them on as well.

Not only does heat come from the sun beating down on the trailer, but it also comes up from the black asphalt the trailer is riding on. To minimize the impact of heat coming up from the road, place rubber mats on your trailer floor or bed the trailer down with shavings. By modifying your trailering routine you will be able to ensure your horse travels as comfortable as possible regardless of the weather.

Enjoy Your Summer
Summer doesn't have to bring your equestrian activities to a halt. By changing both you and your horse's riding routine you can both enjoy your summer while staying healthy and competitive.