We all know that summertime is a great time to ride. In fact, it’s probably one of the busiest times of the year for equestrians.
Horse shows, trail rides, and other riding events have many of us going full steam. And of course, in between these big events, we need to keep our horses conditioned. Not to mention—riding can be a great stress reliever from work and life, in general!
But during the summer months, how hot is too hot to ride? Though there’s no clear-cut answer to this question, research points to some general information to keep in mind:
Like us, horses cool themselves by sweating. However, under certain conditions, their ability to
sweat may be reduced, and the horse may not be able to sufficiently cool himself.
According to research that’s been conducted on this very issue, there’s a simple math formula
that can help us determine whether or not it’s too hot to ride: You simply add the ambient
(outside) temperature + relative humidity (in F) and then take the following into consideration:
If the sum of is less than 130, riding conditions are ideal;
At 130-150, horses will have a decreased ability to sweat;
At 150 or higher, a horse’s ability to sweat is greatly reduced; and
At above 180, conditions could be fatal for your horse.
For example, if it’s 90 degrees F with 70% humidity, the heat index would be 160, which is
considered dangerous.
Of course, every horse is different, and you will need to keep in mind several factors such as
your horse’s level of fitness, any health conditions (like allergies, anhidrosis, or heaves), the
intensity of the riding, and whether your horse is acclimated to his current environment. Any one
of these factors could affect your horse’s ability to cope with the heat.
If you do decide to ride when it’s hot, be observant for signs of dehydration and/or overheating
in both yourself and your horse. Profuse sweating, elevated pulse or body temperature, white
gums, or “sticky” skin that doesn’t immediately go back after you pinch it are all signs of an
immediate problem.
You can bet if the rider is hot, the horse is hotter—this is probably the best piece of advice to keep in mind this summer.
