by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian, Horse, Horse Care

Riding your horse is a highly enjoyable outdoor activity. However, there’s a point where the temperature simply doesn’t make this possible. For 2020, let us take a very close look at when it is too hot to ride your horse.

Humidity

To start things off, humidity plays a huge role in whether it is too hot to ride your horse. While humidity doesn’t directly affect temperature, it makes the heat that much more unbearable. Humans and animals alike perceive the climate to be much hotter than it really is. Your horse will be physically strained if it needs to walk in high humidity. In particular, riding for long periods of time is extremely taxing. A quick sprint isn’t that big of a deal, but riding for hours on end in a humid climate is strenuous.

Dehydration

Next, dehydration is a major factor. If your horse is showing signs of dehydration, stop immediately and sit down. Just like you and me, it needs to drink water on a regular basis to hydrate its body. If the horse is sweating a disproportionate amount, there’s a good chance that hydration is a health concern. The bottom line is, dehydration overrides temperature. Even if it is cool outside, a dehydrated horse cannot function properly.

Daytime

Last but not least, the time of day should affect whether you ride your horse. In essence, if it is noon and the sun is shining down in full force, you might consider riding your horse at a later time. When the sun sets in the evening, you and your horse will be able to avoid the direct heat. There’s a major difference between riding in the shade and riding underneath the sun.

This year, in the grand scheme of things, there is a point where it is too hot to ride your horse. When the temperature reaches this threshold, keep both you and your horse indoors. Save the riding for another day!

Read the full article here- https://bricolereincke.net/when-is-it-too-hot-to-ride-your-horse/