10 Tips for Hot Trips

Here’s how to minimize the risks of hot-weather travel to ensure that your horse is safe and that he arrives in top-notch form when it really counts.

Oh So Hot

To help you understand the risks, let’s look at the four basic mechanisms that help your horse cool down—and how those cooling strategies are compromised when he’s locked in a box.

1. Convection: Heat (thermal energy) is carried away from your horse’s body as air flows over his skin, as in response to a cool breeze or fan.

2. Radiation: Heat is lost into the environment because of a difference in temperature between your horse’s body and the surrounding air.

3. Evaporation: Heat is lost when liquid (sweat) is converted into a vapor. Sweating is your horse’s most important cooling strategy.

4. Conduction: Your horse’s warm body comes into contact with something cooler, such as a spray of cold water or an ice bag. The heat then conducts (transfers) to the cooler object.

Often, airflow in a horse trailer is severely limited, especially if the trailer is standing still, such as during a breakdown. If there’s no air movement, your horse’s ability to cool is compromised.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

10 Cool-Down Tips

What can you do to ensure that your horse can make the most of his basic cooling mechanisms?

1. Plan ahead. Know exactly where you’re going, and plot the coolest, most efficient route to get there.

2. Prepare your paperwork. Have the appropriate travel papers in hand before you leave for your trip.

3. Leave early. The time of day you choose to travel can really make a difference so plan to get an early start!

4. Ditch the blankets. Resist the temptation to wrap your horse in clothing before you load up. Naked is best!

5. Open up. Open every possible vent and trailer window (those with bars or screens) to maximize ventilation. Air movement is necessary for your horse to cool via convection.

6. Pre-load fluids. Preventing dehydration is just as important as keeping your horse cool when hauling in the heat. He needs plenty of fluid in his system to keep his cooling mechanisms functioning well.

7. Boost electrolytes. Your horse loses electrolytes when he sweats, and his electrolyte balance is important for his fluid balance and bodily functions.

8. Carry familiar water. Nothing is more stressful than an overheated horse that won’t drink. If your horse is a fussy drinker, carry plenty of familiar water from home.

9. Soak his hay. If you’re going to provide hay while on the road, consider soaking it to provide extra moisture.

10. Arrive early. Research has shown that your horse is likely to lose as much as a pound of bodyweight per hour during travel— even in ideal circumstances.

If you see any signs of heat stress, take aggressive measures to cool your horse down. Lead him to the shade, remove any gear, and sponge or hose him down with the coldest water you can find.

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM