Summer is a magical time for equestrians. Warm weather, more daylight, and horse events galore! It is such a fun time of year, but the hot weather can be really hard on our four legged friends. When is it too hot to ride? There are many variables to consider, but horses can overheat and the outcome is not always good. Lets dive in to make sure you and your horse stay safe during those toasty days. 

Horses bodies heat up 3-10 times faster than humans do. As we all know, exercise produces a huge amount of body heat and it can turn dangerous for a horse in as little as 17 minutes. Horses can develop heat stroke, they can become dehydrated, and they can even have a heart attack from over heating. 

There are so many variables that come into play when determining if it is too hot to ride your horse. 

How old is your horse?

Obviously, a younger horse will be able to tolerate weather conditions a little easier than an older horse. If your horse is older, the risk can be higher. However, in extreme heat, all ages are at risk. 

Does your horse have any health conditions?

If you horse has any type of health issue, the heat can intensify those. It would be like you trying to run 5 miles in 100 degree weather when you have severe asthma. It can be super difficult, so just being mindful of their existing conditions is super important. If they are overall healthy, they will most likely have an easier time as the temps rise. 

Is your horse in shape?

If your horse is used to these weather conditions and is in good riding shape, they would probably handle it better than a horse who is not regularly ridden. If a horse is not worked normally, isn't used to this weather, or is just not in good shape, it is extremely hard on them to perform in high temperatures. 

Even if your horse is in excellent shape, still be mindful of weather conditions. 

Like humans, horses sweat to cool down. If a horse is sweating and then stops, it is not a good sign. At that point, they are unable to cool down and they are overheating. A horse can loose up to 4 gallons of perspiration an hour when worked in hot/humid weather. Other signs of over heating are: 

- Gum Discoloration 

- Abnormal Vitals 

- Sticky/thick Sweat

- Depressed or Lethargic

-Dehydration 

It is not just the heat to watch out for, it is the humidity as well. There is a thing called Comfort Index that can be a really helpful tool to determine if you should ride or not. If you take the temperature (F) and the humidity and add the two together, that will you give you the Comfort Index. 

Comfort Index for riding: 

>180 Extreme danger 

>150 Watch for heat stress

<130 Your horse can stay cool and you are safe to ride 

If you do suspect your horse is overheating, it is always a safe bet to call your vet. You can start by taking their temperature, but if the situation is not improving, don't wait. A horse's normal temperature should be 99 - 101.5 degrees (F). Anything over that is a red flag and you should call your vet. Your vet will give you proper instructions as to what to do and how to care for your horse. Time is of the essence in a situation like this so act quickly.

I know it is great to soak up the rays, but keep in mind the risk it holds on your horse. Riding in the mornings or evenings is sometimes the safest bet in the summer. Remember to always wear sunscreen, water your horse, and stay safe out there! 

(picture credit: https://thehorse.com/173049/do-fish-help-keep-hors... )