Hot weather can place serious stress on horses. If a horse is unable to cool itself properly, heat stress can develop. This is a welfare issue and, if not recognised and managed quickly, can become life-threatening.
Horses that are working, competing or travelling in hot and humid conditions are particularly at risk.
Common signs of heat stress
A horse experiencing heat stress may show one or more of the following signs:
Body temperature higher than normal
Fast or laboured breathing that does not settle after exercise
Heart rate that remains high and does not recover normally
Weakness, dullness or unusual tiredness
Muscle trembling
Heavy sweating, or in more serious cases, little or no sweating
If you see these signs, cooling must begin immediately.
Cooling a horse with heat stress
The following steps are based on guidance from the Pony Club Australia A Certificate Manual.
Apply cool or iced water over the horse’s entire body as quickly as possible
Continue applying water until the horse’s temperature comes down
Offer small drinks of water regularly, but do not allow the horse to drink a large amount all at once
If there is no breeze, gently walk the horse while continuing to apply cool or iced water
Air movement (a natural breeze, a fan, or gentle walking) helps remove heat from the body
Each application of water absorbs heat from the horse and releases it into the surrounding air
Continue cooling until the water running off the horse feels cold
This method is known as aggressive cooling and is an important part of managing heat stress.
After the horse is cooling and more settled
Electrolytes may be needed to help replace salts lost through sweating
In more serious cases, veterinary treatment and fluids may be required
If you are concerned at any point, tell a coach, parent or official and seek veterinary advice.
Why this is important
Recognising heat stress early and acting quickly can make a significant difference to a horse’s comfort, safety and recovery. Pony Club riders play an important role in protecting horse welfare by staying alert, making smart decisions and speaking up in hot conditions.
