11 ways to beat the heat on the yard

Want to make warmer months on the yard a little bit easier? Check out our savvy life hacks to keep you cool when the temperatures start soaring

We horse owners often view the summer months as a welcome relief from the hard slog of winter – but hot spells of weather bring about just as many problems as the chill. Luckily, there’s lots of ways to make sure your yard routine’s efficient and ensure best results to keep your horse feeling cool as a cucumber.

Say freeze

If you don’t have a freezer at the yard, bring a hard-shell cool box with you. It’ll stay cool for hours if kept out of the sun. You’ll appreciate having a cold bottle of water to rehydrate, rather than a luke-warm one.

Rebecca Philpot, Editor, says:

“If your horse loves carrots as much as Tango does, he won’t accept warmer weather as a suitable excuse to shun his favourite treat – but there’s only so long they’ll last in the heat. So, I keep all of mine in a bucket of water to get a few extra days out of them. I keep the bucket in the shadiest corner of our hay barn for maximum results. You could, of course, keep them in the fridge at home and only bring as many as you need, but who’s organised enough for that?”

Did you know?

When hosing your horse off, it’s been proven that the heat from his body transfers to the water through conduction, making it one of the quickest ways to cool him down. So, no more scraping off water after a wash-down!

Clothes horse

Vented, ultra-lightweight summer clothing is definitely worth investing in. You may be able to get away with donning shorts and a vest top while doing yard tasks, but you’re missing a trick if you’re changing into that year-round baselayer and breeches for a spell in the saddle. Instead, why not take advantage of the latest innovations in clothing to keep cool?

Good hair day

For the heavies and hairies, braiding long manes into running plaits or four or five chunky plaits is a brilliant way to keep it from acting like a scarf. Putting a polo knot into tails will also help keep thick hair out of the way, while still allowing your horse to use it to bat away bugs.

Louise Kittle, Content Editor, says:

“This one takes a bit of extra effort, but it’s a real game changer when attempting to keep horses cool. Building an overhang on your outdoor stables to keep the sun’s rays away from the doors and windows can make a huge difference to how hot they get.”

Keep it up

Think a neatly fastened bun and hairnet is just for the competition ring or older-fashioned riders? Think again! Not only is it a safety staple, tying your hair so it’s off your neck is another great method for keeping cool while you ride.

Close to hand

Keep a bottle of fly spray in the shade near your field gate. That way, if any of the horses are being bothered by flies, everyone can have a quick top-up to ensure as much around-the-clock protection as possible.

Franchesca Slack, Production Editor, says:

“My horses live out 24/7 in the summer so, to make life more efficient, I keep a selection of products – suncream, fly spray, antibacterial cream, hoof pick – up at the field. It helps to save time walking back and forth to the stables.”

Wet your appetite

Refrain from wetting feeds and hay too far in advance, because the heat can cause it to ferment.

Break the ice

Ice boots are a really useful piece of kit for cooling legs after strenuous exercise on hard, baked ground. You can buy ones with gel inside that helps them stay cold for longer – but always follow instructions on how long to leave them on for. There are also cooling gels and clays you can try out, too.

Top tip

Don’t forget to wear a baseball cap when you’re not in your riding hat. Keeping the rays off your head will reduce the risk of sun stroke, which is a strong possibility when you’re slaving away in the heat all day!

Fine spray

Purchasing a water spray mist is a dreamy saviour after a hot lesson. Simply close your eyes and enjoy the cooling mist on your tomato-coloured face, imagining you’re the star of the next Diet Coke advert.

Wash down

A no-rinse wash is a summer must. If you’re hosing off after a ride, ensure you’ve cut through as much of the grime as possible so your horse is left feeling fresh as a daisy.

Kiera Boyle, Staff Writer, says:

“Starting off with a hot horse is a recipe for an unhappy ride. So, along with only riding early in the morning or late in the evening on really hot days, I always make sure I sponge Yanny and Raven down before I get on, as well as after. If there’s a light breeze, it can help lower their body temperatures a little bit more.”

Hit the bottle

A hack that’s useful any time of year – get a water bottle with measurements on the side so you know exactly how much you’re drinking. This will often encourage you to drink more so you can meet your daily water intake.

Revitalising

Adding electrolytes to your horse’s water or feed, and offering him a salt lick in his stable, can help to rejuvenate what he’s lost through increased sweating, and encourage him to drink more.

Megan Hurley, Editorial Assistant, says:

I like to do lots of experimenting throughout the year to work out my horses’ favourite way to drink – whether it means feeding soggy mashes, putting apple juice or carrots in their water or only offering refreshments from a certain bucket. It gives me real peace of mind to know I can always get them to drink on a hot day or out at a competition.

Top tip

Club together with friends or other liveries and buy a big bottle of fly spray to decant into your individual ones – buying in bulk really reduces the cost, and you’ll easily get through your share each season.