We’re all feeling the heat, but don’t just duck into the air conditioning and fail to consider your horse.
The Liberty Side-Saddle Network cancelled its shows this weekend, which were set for the USET Foundation in Gladstone, because of concerns over horse and human welfare.
Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman sent an email advising that while its show this weekend will continue, there will be adjustments to the schedule “as dictated by weather and conditions. The decision whether to compete will be left to individual riders and trainers. Please use good judgment and consider the health and welfare of your horse first. Don’t forget to take good care of yourselves too!”
Princeton also passed along some tips from the Running S Equine veterinary clinic in Tewksbury:
- Be aware of the temperature and heat index. Try to work in the cool of the day. If your class is in the heat of the day, it is wise not to compete, unless you know your horse is very fit and handles the heat well. Some horses are very stressed by extremes in heat and humidity.
- Provide plenty of cool, fresh water and shade to your horse as often as you can.
- Sponge baths with a little alcohol in the water in front of a fan are a great way to cool your horse down. Remember to remove the water with a sweat scraper as you sponge or hose your horse off. Ice water is fine to use, especially on the head and neck and between the back legs.
- Provide electrolytes, either free choice in a block or granular, or with a good-quality paste. Horses lose a great deal of sodium and chloride in their sweat and these need to be replaced.
- When riding or exercising your horse, pay close attention to whether they are sweating. If they are not, stop exercising and get them to shade and cool conditions quickly.
- Pay close attention to your horse in the heat and do not continue if your horse appears stressed or tired.
Manhattan Saddlery put out a recipe that could give your horse a cooling boost with frozen treats.It’s easy enough for you to grab a slushie, popsicle, ice cream cone or frozen margarita, but what about your horse?
It’s a snap to make horse popsicles, and any help with hot weather hydration is a plus, so why not give it a try. There are myriad recipes online (and some really bad videos on YouTube…), but it is this simple: Fill a plastic cup or food storage container with some apple and carrot chunks, add a bit of gatorade or unsweetened apple juice diluted with water, freeze, remove cup and serve.
Mix it up the way you want–grate the carrots/apples and add some oats, include a dollop of unsweetened applesauce, a couple of peppermints or a spoonful of molasses. Just make sure the ingredients are all horse-safe, and not too sugary. You can put the popsicle in your horse’s feed tub, or hand feed (freeze a carrot in the center as a “stick” to hold).
If your horse doesn’t engage with the popsicle, he/she will likely eat all the chilled fruit and veggie chunks after it melts.