Equine Back In Action - Natalie Brown

COPING WITH THE HEAT 🐴🥵

Firstly, please don't panic.

Using good sense and some thought will mean you and your horse will survive the heat wave.

🌞 Turnout overnight ideally (but adjust for you and your horse's individual situation), and consider stabling in daytime if your horse's field lacks shade/shelter - but only if it's cooler inside than out. Brick or block stables are usually cooler than wooden

🌞 Don't assume its only exercise that can cause heatstroke - horses with thick coats can overheat outside without shade - especially if they are very old, young, or have PPID

🌞 You can hose your horse down to help them keep cool and more comfortable - this acts like sweat and won't 'cook' them

🌞 Take your horse's temperature if in doubt - if over 39 deg, you need to cool them, if over 40 they're at risk of heatstroke and you need to cool 'aggressively' with plenty of cold water (vets and physiologists agree)

🌞 Ensure clean fresh water is available at all times and check your horse's hydration. Consider soaking hay to increase water intake and palatable hydration products like Saracen Recovery Mash

🌞 Exercise your horse during cooler periods e.g. early in the morning or late in the evening (but adjust this to keep them adapted to what they'll face in competition if they compete)

🌞 If you are due to compete in the middle of the day, you'll need to adapt your horse to this but do it gradually

🌞 Adjust your horse's exercise routine with reduced duration and possibly intensity too if you're unable to exercise them during cooler periods

🌞 If your horse gets very hot during exercise, cool them with - ideally iced - cold water sloshing or hosing without scraping off (thermoregulation expert Dr David Marlin has studied the research and concludes that scraping wastes time when aggressively cooling and its more beneficial to keep sloshing cold water onto the horse, not scrape off the hot water, which will run off anyway)

🌞 Use sun protection cream for pink noses/legs

🌞 Consider clipping very hairy horses, especially if you find them sweating standing still

🌞 You may need to increase your horse's salt intake in the feed if they are sweating more (for extra sodium and chloride) and you can offer them salt in water as well (for hydration)

🌞 Watch out for feed and/or supplements going off - especially those with a high oil content - which can reduce palatability

🌞 Most importantly - monitor your individual horse or pony in terms of how you manage them, rather than trying to follow what others are doing/saying. Signs of overheating (non-exercise associated) include lethargy, reduced appetite, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing and a high heart rate (if unsure, take their temperature)

🌞 Don't forget to look after yourself too, with suncream, plenty of fluids and shade!

If you need help with their diet, you can contact me direct on WhatsApp

Please feel free to share,
🐴🍏☀️🥵

All set for the Highland Show! 🐴✨
Lord enjoyed his pre-show MOT today, and we’re sending lots of luck to him and Heather for the week ahead. Wishing this wonderful partnership a successful and enjoyable show. 🍀💙🏆

Dressage doesn't have to be complicated! Your seat sets the bend, your legs set the direction and your reins ask for the bend in the neck. Shop all my books at www.elaineheneybooks.com and worldwide on Amazon.

Great Day at the McTimoney Conference in Oxford. Some great research presented. yesterday and a goodie bag 💼 😉