We love summer and it's a favorite season for many, especially school kids. It is also a fantastic time to enjoy your horse! Here are some fun activities and important care tips to make the most of the warmer months:
Fun Activities to Do with Your Horse in Summer
- Trail Riding Adventures: Explore new trails, scenic routes, or even old favorites. Summer offers ideal weather for long, leisurely trail rides. Pack a picnic to enjoy with your horse!
- Swimming with Your Horse: If you have access to a safe and horse-friendly beach, lake, or pond, swimming is an excellent way to cool off and have fun. It's a great full-body workout for your horse and a unique bonding experience.
- "Spa Day" at the Barn: Treat your horse to a luxurious bath with equine-specific shampoos and conditioners. Give them a thorough grooming, maybe even try some fun braiding. You can even team up with barn friends for a group spa day!
- Play Day Games: Organize a gymkhana or "play day" at your barn. Fun, low-key games like egg-and-spoon races, barrel racing (at a slower pace), or relay races can be a blast for riders of all skill levels.
- Obstacle Course Fun: Set up an in-hand or ridden obstacle course. This can be as simple or complex as you like, using poles, cones, tarps, or even natural elements. It's a great way to build your horse's confidence and problem-solving skills.
- Photoshoot: Capture some beautiful summer memories with your horse. The golden hours of sunrise or sunset offer the best lighting. You can hire a professional equestrian photographer or just have a friend snap some candid shots.
- Horsey Holiday/Weekend Getaway: If you're feeling adventurous, consider a weekend trip with your horse to a new trail system, equestrian campground, or even a horse-friendly beach destination.
- Groundwork and Liberty Play: Summer is a great time to focus on groundwork exercises that build trust and communication. Try liberty work where your horse responds to your cues without a lead line.
- DIY Horse Popsicles: Make healthy and refreshing treats for your horse using fruits, vegetables, and maybe even a little electrolyte powder. These are great for cooling down after a ride or as a boredom buster in the stall.
- Learn Something New: Take a lesson with a new trainer, try a different discipline (like side-saddle if you're feeling elegant!), or delve into horse anatomy and care with a scavenger hunt around the barn.
Important Summer Horse Care Tips
Keeping your horse comfortable and healthy in the summer heat is crucial.
- Hydration is Key:
- Always provide fresh, clean, cool water. Horses can drink 10-15 gallons (38-57 liters) or more daily in hot weather.
- Change water frequently, especially in buckets that can heat up quickly in the sun.
- Consider adding a salt block or electrolyte supplement to encourage drinking and replace lost minerals from sweating. If using electrolytes in water, always offer a second bucket of plain water as well.
- Provide Ample Shade: Ensure your horse has access to natural shade (trees) or man-made shelters (run-in sheds) in their pasture.
- Adjust Turnout and Exercise Schedules:
- Turn out horses during cooler hours, ideally overnight or in the early morning/late evening. Avoid turnout during the hottest part of the day (typically 10 AM to 4 PM).
- Limit strenuous exercise during peak heat and humidity. The "rule of 150" suggests avoiding riding if the air temperature (in Fahrenheit) plus the relative humidity equals or exceeds 150.
- If you must ride in the heat, keep workouts light and include frequent breaks.
- Cool Down Properly: After a ride, hose your horse down with cool (not ice-cold) water, focusing on large muscle groups and areas with prominent blood vessels (head, neck, back, ribs, legs). Scrape off excess water to promote evaporation and cooling. Repeat until the water running off feels cool.
- Manage Flies and Insects: Use fly masks, fly sheets, and equine-safe fly repellents to protect your horse from irritating and potentially disease-carrying insects. Keep stables clean and pastures picked to reduce fly breeding grounds.
- Prevent Sunburn: Horses with pink skin (white markings on their face, muzzles, or legs) are susceptible to sunburn. Apply equine-safe sunscreen to sensitive areas or use UV-protective fly masks.
- Ensure Good Ventilation: In stables, use fans to promote airflow. Make sure fans are placed safely, out of reach of curious horses.
- Monitor for Heat Stress: Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in horses:
- Excessive sweating or no sweating at all (anhidrosis)
- Rapid breathing or pulse
- Lethargy, depression, or stumbling
- Elevated body temperature (above 102.5°F or 39.2°C)
- Dark, tacky gums
- Slow capillary refill time If you suspect your horse is suffering from heat stress or stroke, immediately move them to a cool, shaded area, hose them down with cool water, and call your veterinarian.
By combining fun activities with vigilant summer care, you and your horse can have a safe and enjoyable summer together!
Photo courtesy of Celestial Photography.
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