Heatwave
People, it's HOT.
We're talking 90 degrees inside my house hot. We're talking 55% humidity hot. We're talking sweaty ponies, sweaty people, and a puppy that's been hiding under the bed all day because that's the coolest spot in the house. I've made it through today on copious amounts of watermelon and iced coffee. So, in honor of this rather early summer weather, some tips for keepin' your four legged friends cool!
-Water water water! Make sure ponies and pups have access to clean water 24/7 so they stay hydrated and avoid colic! Your animals will also appreciate a nice cool bath or squirt with the hose.
-Fans are your friends. If you can, hang a fan in your horse's stall to keep the air moving and help evaporate any sweat they might produce.
-If you're trying to keep your pony in work, ride early in the morning or after the sun starts going down in the evening. Don't work your horse mid-day when the sun is strongest, you'll put your horse and yourself at risk for heat exhaustion! Hose your buddy down thoroughly with cold water when you're done riding.
-Turn horses out at night so they can enjoy grazing without the hot sun beating down on them.
-Monitor your pony for signs of anhidrosis and colic. Hot, humid weather can bring on both of these conditions, so be sure to check that your noble steed is sweating appropriately and not panting, rolling, pacing, or showing any unusual signs of discomfort.
Many of you have probably also heard the myth that hosing a hot horse with cold water and/or allowing him to drink while still warm will cause tying-up and colic. THIS IS NOT TRUE. When the weather is like this, it's important to know that the fastest way to cool a horse down is repeated hosing and scraping with cold water. And just like you, when your horse is working hard in the heat they need to drink more than usual. Small sips of water at frequent intervals will not cause colic, and will help your horse stay hydrated.
Happy Summer!
We're talking 90 degrees inside my house hot. We're talking 55% humidity hot. We're talking sweaty ponies, sweaty people, and a puppy that's been hiding under the bed all day because that's the coolest spot in the house. I've made it through today on copious amounts of watermelon and iced coffee. So, in honor of this rather early summer weather, some tips for keepin' your four legged friends cool!
-Water water water! Make sure ponies and pups have access to clean water 24/7 so they stay hydrated and avoid colic! Your animals will also appreciate a nice cool bath or squirt with the hose.
-Fans are your friends. If you can, hang a fan in your horse's stall to keep the air moving and help evaporate any sweat they might produce.
-If you're trying to keep your pony in work, ride early in the morning or after the sun starts going down in the evening. Don't work your horse mid-day when the sun is strongest, you'll put your horse and yourself at risk for heat exhaustion! Hose your buddy down thoroughly with cold water when you're done riding.
-Turn horses out at night so they can enjoy grazing without the hot sun beating down on them.
-Monitor your pony for signs of anhidrosis and colic. Hot, humid weather can bring on both of these conditions, so be sure to check that your noble steed is sweating appropriately and not panting, rolling, pacing, or showing any unusual signs of discomfort.
Many of you have probably also heard the myth that hosing a hot horse with cold water and/or allowing him to drink while still warm will cause tying-up and colic. THIS IS NOT TRUE. When the weather is like this, it's important to know that the fastest way to cool a horse down is repeated hosing and scraping with cold water. And just like you, when your horse is working hard in the heat they need to drink more than usual. Small sips of water at frequent intervals will not cause colic, and will help your horse stay hydrated.
Happy Summer!
I knew it's okay to hose a hot horse with cold water (the old barn I was at in Bethlehem - the owner used to yell at me that I was going to kill my horse on hot days when I hosed down, because their well water was so cold, and I kept telling them chill out, he's fine), but I thought drinking cold water was still bad....googling it and finding out I was wrong about that! Good to know!
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