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Performance horses in all disciplines, from
racing to western pleasure, are expected to
deliver optimum performance all year around,
regardless of temperature. Allowing the horse to
deliver optimum performance in the summer under
conditions of high temperature and humidity
presents several challenges to the horse owner.
Proper management of working conditions, water
consumption and feeding practices can help meet
the challenge.
First, avoid working the horses during the
warmest part of the day when possible. Early
morning and evening rides are better for both
horse and rider. Horses confined during the day
should have shade, ventilation and fresh clean
water. This applies to horses in stalls, at
shows or in the pasture. If horses must be
trained or shown during the heat of the day,
they should be offered water regularly. A hot
horse must not be allowed to drink large
quantities of cold water then stand but a horse
cannot cool down properly if it is dehydrated.
The rule "six sips and walk" provides a good
guideline. Horses going in classes throughout
the day must be allowed to drink regularly, as
dehydration and heat stroke can be deadly. Loss
of fluid can also make a horse prone to colic.
If a horse stops sweating, immediate action is
required.
Second, feeding management practices can be
adjusted, particularly the energy sources fed.
The horse's total thermal load can be reduced by
using highly digestible fiber sources and added
fat feed sources. High fiber hay produces more
heat increment or heat of digestion than lower
fiber hay. Fat produces the lowest heat
increment. The most heat efficient hay source
for a performance horse would be an early cut
grass or grass legume mixture. This hay should
be fine in texture and relatively soft to the
touch. An added fat feed or the addition of corn
oil to the diet will provide higher energy with
lower intake, and will assist in reducing the
thermal load. Added fat diets may also produce
the additional performance benefits of increased
endurance and reduced fluid loss. Feeding small
amounts throughout the day rather than two large
feedings may also be beneficial as the heat
produced by digestion can be spread out. Very
high levels of protein should be avoided as the
excess nitrogen increases fluid loss due to the
higher urine output.
Third, loose trace mineral salt in a feeder
protected from rain should be available free
choice. Manufactured feeds will generally
contain 0.5%-1.0% salt, but a performance horse
may require 4-6 ounces of salt per day to
maintain electrolyte balance. Horses will
generally not consume this much block salt.
Electrolyte supplements may be beneficial
immediately before and during a competition, but
care must be exercised to make certain the horse
is consuming adequate water. Giving a
concentrated electrolyte without adequate water
consumption may actually increase the potential
for a problem.
Summer is a great season to spend more time with
horses. Proper management can help make certain
it is pleasant and safe for both horse and
rider. |