Riding in HOT Weather
2023 Maryland Horse Council
Horses evolved in colder, drier climes, and they can struggle to keep their body temperatures cool in our Maryland summers. Horses normally cool themselves by sweating. The evaporating sweat creates a cooling effect. When the humidity is high, however, sweat does not evaporate and a horse can overheat. This chart shows the effect of heat and humidity on a horse’s ability to cool itself.
VeHOW HOT IS TOO HOT?
Veterinarians recommend that you avoid riding altogether in hot and humid weather. If you must ride: ride in the early morning or late at night; ride in the shade; keep the work light, take frequent breaks; and DO NOT RIDE when the combined temperature and humidity exceeds 150.
SOURCE: University of Minnesota Extension TO SCRAPE OR NOT TO SCRAPE?
In 2019, the FEI advised against scraping a horse after bathing. Also that year, researchers in Australia found “no cooling effect of scraping following rapid cold-water application.” The moment the water is scraped off, the cooling effect of the water stops and the horse’s internal temperature begins to rise again. The most effective way to cool down a horse is to bathe the horse: in 8 gallons of cold water every minute; for five minutes; without scraping.
SOURCE: 22 Comparison of post-exercise cooling methods in horses
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080621001155?via%3Dihub
BOOTS OR NO BOOTS? Leg wraps insulate the legs and raise their internal temperature. Heat can damage the superficial digital flexor tendon. Equine scientists studied six different types of boots: traditional, perforated, and Stomatex neoprene boots; cross-country boots; elastic track bandages; and fleece polo wraps.
Bare legs stayed the coolest and “the hyperthermic effect of . . . boots and bandages . . . caused chronic microdamage to the tendon.” Fleece polo wraps caused the most damage.
SOURCE: A comparison among equine boots and legwraps on leg surface temperature during and after exercise. Luke Brock,& Holly Spooner, Middle Tennessee State University, available at:
https://thehorse.com/1101094/do-boots-and-wraps-overheat-horses-legs/
18 | JULY 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
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