Heat and drought: how to support your horse during hot weather

What does heat do to your horse?

Horses regulate their body temperature primarily through sweating. During hot weather or intense exercise, they can lose significant amounts of fluid and essential minerals. It is important to understand that horses sweat differently from humans. Humans mainly lose water through sweat, which is known as hypotonic sweating. Horses, on the other hand, produce hypertonic sweat, meaning their sweat contains a higher concentration of salts than their blood plasma. As a result, horses lose proportionally far more minerals than fluids.

When these losses are not adequately replenished, several issues may arise:

• Reduced performance

• Faster fatigue

• Muscle stiffness

• Reduced appetite

• Slower recovery after exercise

• Increased risk of dehydration

Even horses that are not actively competing or training can be affected by prolonged heat. Older horses, young horses, and horses with sensitive metabolisms deserve extra attention during hot weather.

Adjust the daily routine

During heatwaves, it is important to critically review your horse’s daily schedule.

1. Train during the coolest parts of the day

Ideally, training sessions should take place early in the morning or later in the evening. Avoid intense exercise during the hottest hours of the day, typically between noon and 6 p.m., or even later on extremely hot days.

Would you like to support your horse’s recovery after training while also offering a tasty reward? Recover Mash not only provides extra hydration but also supplies amino acids, vitamin E, and electrolytes. Feed it approximately one hour after a training session or competition to promote rapid recovery.

Keep in mind that prolonged drought can also affect footing conditions. Riding arenas and tracks often become harder, placing additional strain on tendons, joints, and hooves.

2. Provide plenty of shade

Horses on pasture should always have access to shaded areas. While this may sound obvious, insufficient shade is still a common issue in some locations. Trees, field shelters, and shade cloths can all help reduce direct sun exposure.

3. Ensure proper stable ventilation

Provide sufficient airflow without creating drafts. Open windows and doors whenever possible and prevent hot air from accumulating inside the stable.

4. Cool your horse correctly

After training or competition, rapid and effective cooling is essential.

• Start by cooling the legs so your horse can gradually adjust to the water temperature.

• Quickly move up to the neck, where the major blood vessels are located, and the chest.

• Then thoroughly cool the large muscle groups of the back and hindquarters.

• Repeat this process for 10 to 15 minutes, or until your horse’s breathing becomes calmer and the large muscle groups feel cool to the touch.

Depending on the weather conditions, excess water can be removed with a sweat scraper between cooling cycles so that fresh cold water can continue to work effectively.

5. Hydration: the absolute foundation

Water is undoubtedly the most important nutrient during hot weather.

A horse typically drinks between 25 and 50 litres of water per day, but this requirement can increase substantially during periods of heat or intensive exercise. Following a training session or competition, avoid allowing your horse to drink large amounts of very cold water at once, as this may increase the risk of colic.

Check daily:

• That water troughs and drinkers are functioning properly.

• That the water remains fresh and clean. Horses generally prefer drinking water between 15°C and 20°C.

• That your horse is drinking enough.

Some horses drink less while travelling or at competitions. It may help to accustom them at home to lightly flavoured water or provide wetter feeds.

6. Don't forget electrolytes

Through sweating, horses lose not only fluids but also important electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, potassium, and magnesium. Even with moderate sweating, such as a wet saddle area and a damp neck after a normal training session, a horse can lose around four litres of fluid. Because horse sweat is extremely salty, this can also mean the loss of approximately 40 grams of essential minerals.

These minerals play a crucial role in:

• Fluid balance

• Muscle function

• Nerve transmission

• Recovery after exercise

For horses that sweat heavily during training, transport, or competition, targeted electrolyte supplementation may therefore be beneficial. Products such as Electrolyte Booster can help replenish lost minerals.

Always ensure your horse has access to fresh drinking water after receiving electrolytes. Electrolytes temporarily increase the salt concentration in the blood, stimulating the thirst response. Your horse must be able to drink in order to restore balance. Without access to water, the opposite effect can occur, drawing moisture from the tissues and increasing the risk of dehydration.

What does drought mean for nutrition?

Dry weather conditions often affect pasture quality as well. Grass growth slows down, less fresh grass is available, and pastures can become overgrazed more quickly. As a result, horses may receive fewer nutrients from grazing.

Regularly monitor:

• Grass availability

• Your horse’s body condition

• Changes in energy levels or muscle development

In many cases, high-quality forage becomes even more important during dry periods. With Equilannoo Fiber Mash, you provide your horse with additional fibre and hydration while helping compensate for some of the vitamins and minerals normally supplied by fresh grass. As an added bonus, it offers a delicious moist treat that is especially appreciated on hot days.

Do you have an older horse or pony that requires extra support or has difficulty chewing because of poor dentition? Fiber Mash is also an excellent choice in these situations thanks to its palatability and ease of consumption.

Protect the skin and hooves too

Heat and drought affect more than just performance and hydration. Skin and hooves may also become more vulnerable.

• Dry ground can create much harder hoof conditions.

• Increased UV exposure puts greater stress on sensitive skin areas.

• Insects often remain highly active around sweating horses.

During drought conditions, hooves can lose some of their natural elasticity. In some cases, lightly wetting or conditioning the hoof wall can help retain moisture. Equilannoo Hoof Care supports hoof health through natural ingredients such as beeswax, lanolin, and the essential oils of thyme, rosemary, and laurel. These ingredients provide cleansing, protective, and nourishing benefits while helping to improve hoof elasticity and strengthen soft hooves.

A complete approach makes the difference

Unfortunately, there is no miracle solution to heat and drought, apart from rain itself. Success lies in combining appropriate training, sufficient rest, optimal hydration, quality nutrition, and thoughtful care.

By proactively addressing the effects of high temperatures and drought, you can help your horse stay healthy, fit, and comfortable throughout the summer. At Equilannoo, we believe nutrition forms the foundation of a healthy horse, but true support goes beyond feed alone. The right combination of management, nutrition, supplements, and care helps horses continue to thrive even under challenging summer conditions.

Looking for advice on how to optimally support your horse during hot or dry conditions? Feel free to contact one of our Equilannoo experts at info@equilannoo.eu.