How Hot is Too Hot to Ride?

Hot and Dry

Summer temps in the desert Southwest can easily climb to 120° Fahrenheit, so riding between mid-morning and late afternoon is strongly discouraged.

Hot and Humid

Heat and humidity alone can be challenging for horses. Add exercise to the equation and health risks increase.

Horses at Risk of Overheating

Certain horses are more vulnerable to overheating. These include:

– Old or very young – Not acclimated to climate – Out of condition – Heavily-muscled, thicker body types – Diagnosed with an endocrine disease, like PPID (Cushing’s disease) – History of equine asthma – Recovering from a recent respiratory challenge – Diagnosed with anhidrosis (partial or total inability to sweat)

Acclimation

Whether you live in a hot, arid region or where it’s hot and humid, it’s critical that your horse be acclimated to those conditions before strenuous exercise.

Cool Down

Many people think the best way to cool a hot horse after exercise is just to walk him in the shade. However, research shows that the most efficient method is to continuously shower a stationary horse with cool (79° Fahrenheit) tap water.