Best Tips on Keeping Your Horse Cool

Best Tips on Keeping Your Horse Cool with Quest Stables
by Katie Bigley

Summer is a busy time for most horse owners, as the weather is warmer, and activities start picking back up again. Whether it be fairs, shows, competitions, or trail riding – it’s important to know the needs of your horses now that the heat is in full force during this busy season! With that, I decided to reach out to Quest Stables located just outside of Quincy, IL to see how they keep their horses cool. But before we get into heat-related stuff, let’s give Quest Stables the recognition it so greatly deserves.

If you haven’t heard of Quest Stables before, let me give you a quick background on how this wonderful organization came about. Back in 2009, there was an unfortunate situation in Hannibal, MO that prompted a group of girls to take action and save the horses involved. This group of girls had a grandmother who had the perfect property to take in these horses, and the girls did just that. The girls were able to not only rescue and rehabilitate these horses and give them a second chance in life but also create something greater than they had imagined – Quest Stables. Since 2009, Quest Stables has been able to help over 50 horses and change the lives of countless children.

When Quest Stables rescues a horse: there are two pathways. Adopt the horse out to a loving new family or rehabilitate the horse into a therapy horse. Yes, Quest Stables also does therapy riding! And it’s a beautiful thing. When I was talking with Terry Anderson, the Stable Manager, she couldn’t stop emphasizing how important it was for kids to get on these horses and ride. If they aren’t able/don’t want to ride, there are a million other things for the kids to do. Just being around these huge, gentle creatures is enough to reap the benefits. The way their confidence skyrockets after leaving Quest Stables cannot be matched. “It makes them feel like they can accomplish something,” Terry said. I think this is fantastic and every person should get the opportunity to feel that.

So now, let’s get into the heat-related advice! Quest Stables is a busy place during the summer months with riding lessons, therapy riding, and summer camps. Terry shared with me what they do to help keep their horses cool and comfortable.

Fans. Lots and lots of fans throughout the barn. Each horse stall has its fan & Terry could not stress enough how important it is to get the air moving throughout the barn as it makes a significant difference in the temperatures. Big fans, little fans, box or standing fans – whatever you have on hand to help keep the air circulating. Also, keeping any big doors propped open on both ends of the barn, if possible, is also a huge help to catch that fresh breeze.

Water. This might be an obvious one but, in the summer, your horses must stay hydrated. Did you know horses can drink anywhere from 5 – 15 gallons of water a day? Terry often gives their horses salt or mineral blocks in the summertime to replenish electrolytes and encourage them to drink more water, especially if they are working and sweating in the heat. Always have clean, fresh water available for your horses. You can even freeze ice blocks to add to the water to keep it cold for longer!

Avoid doing activity during the hottest hours of the day. During peak heat hours, horses are often snoozing away in the cool shade of the barn. Overnight, as the temperature drops, the horses can spend the night out in the pasture to take advantage of the cooler air. Terry explained that it’s important to be aware of the hottest times of day and to do minimal work on those days. When it gets hot out, all the horses want to do is sleep and stay cool. If there is a day when you find yourself unable to avoid the heat and you know you and your horse will be out in the sun, put sunscreen on both you and the horse! Terry explained that they will put sunscreen on the soft muzzles of their horses and sometimes even around their ears and eyes to prevent sunburn in those sensitive areas. An equine-specific sunscreen or human sunscreen designed for sensitive skin will do the trick!

On those extra hot days, break out the hose! Terry said one of the favorite activities among the children is to spray the horses down or give them a “bath”. Just be sure to allow the horses to dry in the shade as the sun will heat up the water on their skin and defeat the purpose of the cool down.

One of the last things Terry and I talked about is probably the most important. Heat-related illnesses in horses. What are the signs you should look out for? The biggest tell-tale sign of an overheated horse is they stop sweating and become very lethargic. If you find yourself with an overheated horse, the best thing you can do is take sponges with cool water and wet the horse down with the sponge in a shaded area. Put any fans you have on the horse and keep offering them fresh water. Monitor the horse, and if conditions worsen – call your vet.

The takeaway with the heat is: to be mindful of the temperatures outside. If it’s hot and humid out, it’s probably best to take the day off or move training times to the early morning or late evening to beat the heat. Have fun and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine but be observant – educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and pay attention to your horse’s behavior. You know your horse best.

A big thank you to Quest Stables for being a part of this blog!