24/05/2026
Hot weather exercise guide for horses ☀️
We often see posts regarding dogs struggling in the heat but horses do too, especially during exercise, travelling or standing in direct sunlight. High temperatures and humidity can increase the risk of dehydration, heat stress and heatstroke.
Under 20°C
Suitable for normal exercise with sensible management and plenty of fresh water.
20–25°C
Reduce intensity or duration where needed and include regular walk breaks.
25–30°C
Avoid strenuous work. Keep sessions short and light, ideally early morning or later in the evening.
Over 30°C
Avoid ridden exercise where possible and focus on keeping your horse cool and hydrated.
Cooling tip:
Research by Dr Joe Pagan and the team at Kentucky Equine Research found that continuous application of cold water is the most effective way to cool horses down. There’s no need to scrape the water off between applications so keep the cold water flowing to help reduce body temperature as efficiently as possible.
Check out the full article here: ker.com/equinews/cooling-methods-for-equine-athletes/
