VET’S ADVICE Sun RELIEF FROM THE Summer

The summer months can bring new challenges for our equine friends, from flies, to sunburn. Alexandra Frazer gives us some top tips for summer relief

The warmer months are fast approaching and it’s always a wonderful time to enjoy our horses. If you compete, the season is in full swing during the summer months so you and your horse will be working hard.

Perhaps taking gentle hacks is how you enjoy time with your horse - it’s the perfect time of the year for that too. However, there are a number of special considerations that should be made during the summer months to help our horses stay in the best health and condition possible. The hot months of the year are often the ones we enjoy most, but they can present challenges for horses that are important for all diligent and loving horse owners to keep in mind.

WATER/ HYDRATION

On average, horses drink between 19 and 40 litres of water per day. When temperatures rise, horses will often drink as much as around 55 litres a day. If they’re in work, they can drink even more. Therefore, it is very important that your horse has access to water at all times during the summer months. If you’re travelling your horse a long distance, it’s important to take frequent stops and offer them water to avoid dehydration.

Signs of dehydration can include trembling, weakness, fatigue, stiffness and signs of pain. Dehydration can also cause colic so it’s definitely something you want to avoid.

If you’re unsure if your horse is hydrated enough, you can use the ‘pinch test’ to check their hydration. Pinch the skin near the point of the shoulder. If your horse is hydrated, it will snap back quickly. It it take longer than 2 seconds to return to normal, that is an indication of hydration. If it takes longer than 4 seconds to return to position, your whorse is severely dehydrated and you should consider contacting your vet.

If you believe your horse is dehydrated, or if your horse is doing significant work and sweating a lot, you may want to consider providing electrolytes. Electrolytes are necessary for a wide range of body functions including fluid regulation, digestion and neurological functioning. The are lost in sweat and in hot weather, horses can sweat up to 15 litres per hour. Those electrolytes need to be replenished. You can buy specifically balanced electrolyte products to horses, to add to their water and help them rehydrate. Alternatively, you can add regular table salt to your your horse’s diet daily during the summer months, which will be sufficient if your horse is in light - medium work. Salt should be added at a rate of approximately

Aviform Mare-ish has been formulated to ensure that you get the best from your mare at all times of the year, not just when they aren’t in season!

This great product has been formulated so that many factors of the mare being ‘mare-ish’ are covered. Helps to regulate hormones through supporting the liver, improves fertility, helps mood and irritability and soothes muscle tension that may occur during oestrus. Contains Chaste Tree Berry, Lemon Balm Extract, Milk Thistle, Vitamin B6 and L-Arginine to support your mare. Prices start at £34.46 when you choose the subscribe and save option.

50g per day.

Sun Burn

Sun burn doesn’t pose significant risk to all horses, but it’s important to be mindful of for horse owner’s. Horses with pink skin, and white colouring on their bodies and faces are particularly susceptible. Even if a horse has dark skin and a dark coat, if they have a white blaze or other white face markings, they have a high risk of sunburn in those areas. A horse with pink skin can experience sunburn anywhere on their bodies but it is most likely on their face, rump and shoulder areas.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to apply a high SPF sunscreen. You may want to consider a fly mask or a fly sheet on as well as they usually provide UV protection. When your horse is turned out, if possible, ensure there is shade available, where they can get out of the hot sun in the middle of the day.

If your horse does get burnt, one of the best ways to manage it is to apply aloe vera gel. Then, be sure to apply sunscreen over the top of that so that the burnt area is protected from additional UV exposure. Your horse will be uncomfortable and probably in pain if they get sunburnt so be mindful of the area being sensitive. As it starts to heal, it will likely become itchy so you may notice them rubbing the area.

Flies And Bugs

Flies and other bugs, especially midges are rife in the summer months and can cause serious problems for your horse. If your horse has an allergy to the saliva of midges, this will cause them to develop sweet itch. Sweet itch causes extreme itching, leading to rubbing, irritation and a of course the discomfort of the itch itself. There are a number of things you can do to help with sweet itch. Ensure your horse is well covered with a full sweet itch rug, including a hood. This will help to prevent the midges from getting to them and biting them. If your horse does develop a flare up of sweet itch, consider a soothing calamine and/or oatmeal wash for them. This will help to settle the irritation.

Even if your horse doesn’t suffer from sweet itch, there is a great deal of irritation to contend with from flies and other bugs during the summer months. It is sensible to follow a similar protocol in terms of a light mesh rug to protect against flies. Aside from causing irritation, fly bites can cause and disease, so it’s best to actively try to prevent that. Fly masks are also very useful if your horse doesn’t need a full hood.

Consider using a gentle bug repellant spray on your horse during the warmer months to keep the pests away. It’s also useful to add garlic to their diet as it makes horse’s unappealing to flies and other bugs and will reduce the risk of them being bitten or bothered by these bugs.

FATIGUE/ STAMINA

When the weather heats up, your horse will be fatigued much more quickly and their stamina will be lower than in the cooler months. It is important to adjust their exercise routine accordingly and ensure they are not working too hard for the conditions. Horses can experience heat stroke or tying up if exercised for too long in the heat.

Consider working your horse in the early morning or later in the evening, so that’s it doesn’t take so much out of them or lead them to experience heat stress. It is advisable to avoid exercising your horse between 10am and 3pm in particular. It can help your horse to adjust to the warmer months if you build up their fitness during the Spring. This will ensure they are better able to cope when the Summer months hit. When working your horse in the Summer, also consider taking regular breaks, allowing plenty of time for a cool down at a walk and keeping canter work to a minimum, particularly if you’re riding in the hottest part of the day.

Hot weather can pose a risk to horses and there are important considerations to make to ensure that they thrive through the Summer months. Hydration and appropriate adjustments to your horse’s workload will be the most important and continuous factors to manage. Keeping the heat and humidity and how they can effect your horse front of mind during Summer will help to prevent major issues and keep your horse comfortable.

are usually very crumbly in the Summer from the dry and brittle ground, and yet will still suffer with frog rot and thrush. However, since using the Silverfeet Hoof Balm for the last 4 weeks I have noticed the hoof itself has become much more nourished and hardened, not only creating a healthy hoof, but also offers a natural shine, which we all love!’

Written by Cath - YHC Groom

01285 323121 sales@aquamax.co.uk

Gold Label®

New and improved Citronella+ Spray from Gold Label® now with added chrysanthemum, lavender & tea tree oils, for an effective natural spray for the summer months.

Flygon LA is our best selling fly repellent with the active ingredient Citriodiol, with proven fly deterrent properties. The Flygon LA (Long Acting) is also available as a gel, wipes & roll-ons as well as bulk refills of 2L & 5L.

Both sprays are also great for adding shine to the coat and detangling manes and tails, great all round products.

Available from all good equestrian & countryside wholesalers.

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