Keeping Horses Comfortable During Hot & Dry Weather

Make water your top priority.

A typical adult horse drinks 5 to 10 gallons a day, and in hot weather that can double or more. Heavy sweating also means losing fluids and electrolytes.

• Offer clean, fresh water at all times, and check troughs at least twice a day.
• Scrub troughs often. Algae grows fast in the heat, and horses avoid dirty water.
• Keep water in the shade so it stays cooler and more appealing.
• Add a second water source if you can, in case one runs low or gets knocked over.
• Offer a loose salt block or add plain salt to feed so horses are encouraged to drink. Ask your vet whether an electrolyte supplement makes sense for horses in regular work.

Provide real shade and airflow.

Horses need a place to get out of the sun. Trees, a run-in shed, or a shade structure all work. Shade only helps if air can move through it, so a stuffy barn can be hotter than the pasture. Open doors and windows, and use stall fans (safely secured and out of reach) to keep air moving. If your horse is stalled during the day, consider turning out at night when it’s cooler instead.

Feed smart in the heat.

Don’t cut back on hay in hot weather. Forage keeps the gut moving and encourages drinking. But digesting fiber produces heat, so timing matters.

• Feed the bulk of the hay in the evening and overnight when it’s cooler.
• Use a slow feeder so horses can nibble steadily instead of eating in big, heat-generating meals.
• Choose clean, dust-free hay. Dry weather and dusty barns can irritate airways.
• Soak or steam hay for horses sensitive to dust, which also adds extra moisture to their diet.
• Store hay in a covered, ventilated space, off the ground, away from moisture and direct sun.

Watch the pasture.

Dry pasture can be thin, overgrazed, and sparse. When horses nibble close to the dirt, they can swallow sand, which can lead to sand colic. Supplement with hay so they aren’t forced to graze bare ground, and ask your vet about a periodic psyllium regimen if sand is a concern. Stressed pasture also grows more weeds, some of them toxic, so walk your fields regularly and remove anything questionable.

Adjust exercise and routines.

• Ride or work early in the morning or after sunset.
• Shorten and lighten workouts, and allow plenty of walking to cool down.
• After work, rinse with cool water and scrape off the excess. Repeat until the horse feels cool to the touch, and keep the horse moving in light breezes.
• Skip heavy blankets and fly gear that traps heat. Use lightweight, breathable fly sheets and masks instead.
• Use sunscreen on pink noses and white faces to prevent sunburn.

Know the signs of heat stress.

Call your vet right away if you notice any of these:

• Heavy, prolonged sweating, or a sudden lack of sweating
• Rapid breathing or elevated heart rate that doesn’t settle with rest
• Lethargy, stumbling, or reluctance to move
• Dark, dry gums or slow capillary refill
• A skin pinch that stays “tented” instead of snapping back
• Fever or refusal to eat or drink

Knowing your horse’s normal resting temperature, pulse, and respiration helps you spot trouble early. For most adult horses, that’s roughly 99–101°F, 28–44 beats per minute, and 8–16 breaths per minute.

Fresh water, shade, good airflow, quality forage, and smart scheduling will carry most horses comfortably through the hottest stretches. When in doubt, call your vet.