Hot temperatures can create serious challenges for horses and their riders, making heat management an important part of summer horse care. In the latest episode of OSU Extension Horses’ Tack Box Talk series, host Dr. Kris Hiney of Oklahoma State University talks with equine exercise physiologist Dr. Carey Williams of Rutgers University and Dr. Betsy Greene of the University of Arizona about how horses handle heat and what owners can do to help keep them safe.
The conversation covers how horses naturally cool themselves, the role temperature and humidity play in heat stress, and why conditions that seem manageable can become dangerous for both horses and riders. The experts also discuss signs of heat stress and dehydration that owners should watch for, along with practical steps to take if a horse begins struggling in the heat.
The discussion also looks at riding and exercise strategies, hydration, electrolytes, cooling methods and ways to prevent heat-related problems before they become emergencies. The experts emphasize knowing your horse, adjusting activity to the conditions and giving horses time to acclimate when moving from a cooler climate to a hotter one.
