Summer has officially arrived! With summer comes hot weather which can mean the increased potential of heat stress in your horse. Here are some tips on how to decrease your horse's risk for heat stress:
1. Make sure your barn is adequately ventilated. This can be done by keeping barn
doors and windows open, but only if it can be done safely. You can also use fans
throughout the barn but especially in the horse's stall.
2. Make sure that your horse consumes at least 10-12 gallons of water a day, especially
when the weather is hot. Water should be offered frequently in hot weather even if the
horse doesn't appear to be thirsty.
3. Your horse's rations should contain salt. The salt contains sodium and chloride which
are important ions for your horse.
4. Acclimate horses to the environment with a proper fitness program. Any horse can
become overly stressed if the temperature and humidity are above normal.
