As the warm weather approaches, it’s important to make sure that you are well equipped to keep your horse as comfortable as possible. Here are some ideas to help you tackle the upcoming summer heat!
Fly Care
Flies are out in full force during the spring and summer months. To keep your horse comfortable, consider the following:
– A fly mask. Any horse can benefit from this, as it keeps those pesky flies out of their eyes and also protects them from harmful UV rays. Fly masks with longer nose pieces can also help keep those pink noses from getting sunburned!
– A fly sheet. Most fly sheets are made of a thinner mesh material. These are great for keeping your horse comfortable overall, as they won’t need to constantly reach around and nip at their sides. However, fly sheets are not recommended for extremely high temperatures, as they can make your horse sweat.
– Fly boots. Have you ever seen spots of blood on your horse’s legs during the summer months? Fly boots will help prevent this.
– Fly spray. Stock up on lots of this for the season… your horse will appreciate it! If your horse is fearful of spray bottles, you might want to purchase a sponge or rag to wipe the spray on instead.
Misters
A misting system, when installed in a barn, releases water droplets that evaporate before they hit the ground. They can reduce temperatures in the surrounding area by 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit! Consider the Koolfog misting systems, found here.
Fans
Fans are quite popular in barn settings, but not just any fan will do! To prevent barn fires, your fan must be intended for agricultural use. It should have enclosed motors, an automatic shutoff switch (to prevent overheating), and a UL507 certified motor.
Electrolytes
If you suspect that your horse is dehydrated or want to prevent dehydration, consider electrolyte supplements. You can also provide a mineral or salt lick, which will encourage your horse to drink more water. Lucky for you, SaddleBox provides salt licks in some boxes!
Sunscreen
Consider putting sunscreen on the noses of horses with pink skin/white markings. Horses can get sunburned, just like people! In general, most human sunscreens are safe for horses.
Luckily, the heat of the summer is a couple of months away, so you still have time to stock up! The above items are bound to make the summer months more bearable for your equine partner.
Blog written by Nicole Fava (@hoofloose on Instagram).