| We go to great lengths to make ourselves | | | | horse up from the sun will also ensure that his coat |
| comfortable in the hot weather, air conditioning, fans, | | | | does not suffer any "bleaching" . |
| cold drinks. What should we do to ensure our horses | | | | 4. On the priority list - |
| are also comfortable through our hot, dry and dusty | | | | If your horse has a pink muzzle or other sun sensitive |
| summer? | | | | parts on his body, apply zinc cream or sun block. For |
| 1. On the priority list - | | | | the muzzle you can attach a U.V. flap from the |
| WATER is definitely right at the top! As a general rule | | | | headstall to protect his nose from the sun. 5 On the |
| of thumb, horses drink 3-4% of their body weight each | | | | priority list - When temperatures really soar, your horse |
| day, with this percentage increasing following work or | | | | will enjoy a cool hosing or sponging down, to bring |
| during hot conditions. A 550kg horse will therefore drink | | | | down his body temperature. Make sure you scrape |
| (in normal conditions) around 22 litres of water per day, | | | | the water off afterwards though or it will form a |
| with 50 litres not out of the question in hot weather or | | | | blanket of its own and trap heat to the horse. |
| after work. If your horse is getting his water supply via | | | | 6. On the priority list - |
| buckets don't forget to take into account the | | | | If possible do not stable a hot horse. Standing still in a |
| evaporation factor, and also ensure that water | | | | confined area whilst hot can cause the horse's |
| remains cool. If it becomes tepid, your horse may not | | | | temperature to rise even higher. Walk the horse in the |
| drink and could suffer from dehydration. Be aware that | | | | open air to cool off and allow him to stand where |
| you may have to replace or top up during the day. | | | | there is plenty of air to flow over his body. If possible, |
| Obviously the best scenario is for your horse to have | | | | plan your ride to avoid the hottest part of the day, |
| access to clean, fresh water where he can just meet | | | | kinder on you and him!. |
| his own requirements. Horses should be cooled down | | | | 7. On the priority list - |
| after work however before being allowed free | | | | Assess the availability of summer feed and the body |
| access to water. | | | | weight/condition of your horse regularly as paddock |
| 2. On the priority list - | | | | pasture is soon dried out and burnt off by the sun. You |
| Your horse, like yourself, will appreciate being able to | | | | should supplement his diet with hay when the pasture |
| get out of the direct sun in the heat of the day. | | | | is minimised as the digestive system of the horse is |
| Therefore shade is important. If there are no trees to | | | | designed to continually process fibre. |
| provide shade in the paddock, a roofed shelter is | | | | 8. On the priority list - |
| desirable. if your stables are cool and well ventiliated, | | | | You should also develop in advance a plan of action to |
| you may decide to keep your horse in during the day | | | | be carried out in the eventuality of a bush fire. The |
| and out at night. | | | | development of a survival plan that meets your |
| 3. On the priority list - | | | | individual needs is important. Whether you decide that |
| Light rugs, sometimes referred to as 'fly sheets', are | | | | you would transport your horse to a safe district, or |
| useful in keeping your horse comfortable in the heat | | | | place him in the safest part of the property (which |
| and less annoyed by insects (hint: light colours deflect | | | | may be a closely grazed paddock, green swampy |
| the heat). Fly veils can also provide your horse with a | | | | area, well fenced large sand menage), the main thing is |
| higher degree of comfort in the daylight hours, but for | | | | to have a plan in place. |
| safety, check regularly. A good fly control program is | | | | 9. On the priority list - |
| important as flies and other biting insects can carry | | | | You should also make every effort to remove any fire |
| diseases, cause sores, annoy any existing wounds and | | | | hazards such as long, excessive grass and leaf litter |
| provoke allergic reactions. You may wish to regularly | | | | from around buildings and stables. Clean gutters |
| apply a fly repellent, there are a number on the market | | | | regularly and store hay, shavings etc. away from the |
| that are purposely designed for horses. Covering your | | | | stable block throughout summer. |