# Summer Horse Care - **URL:** https://piaffehorse.com/summer-horse-care/ ## Welcome to Summer Horse Care! Summer is a wonderful time of year. The sun is shining, the days are long, and there are plenty of fun things to do, especially with your horse. But just as we take extra care of ourselves in the heat, our horses need special attention to stay happy and healthy through the warmer months. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat all day in the sun. That’s a bit like what your horse feels. This guide covers the important ways to care for your equine friend when summer arrives, so they enjoy the season as much as you do. From making sure they drink enough water to protecting them from pesky bugs and the strong sun, there’s a lot to learn. Don’t worry, it all comes down to being a good friend to your horse and paying attention to their needs. Here’s how to keep your horse cool, comfortable and fantastic all summer long. ### Hydration: The Water Story Water is the most important thing for your horse in summer. You know how thirsty you get when you run around on a hot day, and horses get even thirstier. They can drink a lot, sometimes up to 10-15 gallons (that’s like 60 large bottles of water) in a single day, and even more if it’s super hot or they’re exercising a lot. Why is water so important? - It helps keep their body temperature just right. - It helps with digestion, so food moves through their system properly. - It keeps all their body parts working well, from muscles to organs. To make sure your horse drinks enough, always provide fresh, clean water. You wouldn’t want to drink from a dirty puddle, and horses feel the same way. Check their water buckets or troughs several times a day. If you can see anything floating in the water or it looks murky, clean the bucket out and refill it. If your horse is a fussy drinker, you can even add a tiny splash of apple juice to the water to encourage them to drink more. A horse working very hard in the heat can lose important salts (called electrolytes) through sweat. Talk to an adult about adding a special electrolyte supplement to their food or water, or make sure they have a salt block available in their stall or pasture. That helps them stay balanced and hydrated. ### Sun Protection: Guarding Against the Rays Horses can get sunburned, and it’s more common than you’d think. Just like people, horses with pale skin, such as those with white markings on their faces (especially pink noses) or light-colored coats, are more likely to burn. Sunburn on a horse can be painful and lead to skin problems. How to protect your horse from the sun: - Shade is your friend: Make sure your horse always has a shady spot to escape the sun’s strongest rays. That could be a group of trees in their pasture or a run-in shed where they can go inside when they feel too hot. - Horse sunscreen: Yes, it exists. You can apply special sunscreen designed for horses to their pink noses and other sensitive areas. It works just like human sunscreen and creates a protective barrier. - Fly masks with UV protection: Many fly masks keep bugs away and also offer UV protection, which is great for safeguarding your horse’s eyes and the delicate skin around them. - Light-colored fly sheets: These lightweight blankets cover your horse’s body and protect them from both sun and flies. Light colors reflect the sun’s heat and help keep your horse cooler. Try to avoid turning your horse out during the hottest part of the day, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM. Let them enjoy the pasture in the early morning or late evening, when the sun isn’t so strong. ### Fly Control: Beating the Buzz Flies are probably one of the most annoying parts of summer for horses. They buzz around, bite and can even carry germs. Picture tiny, biting insects bothering you all day long. Keeping flies away is a big part of summer horse care. Different kinds of pesky bugs: - House flies: They’re annoying but usually don’t bite. They love sweet things and garbage. - Stable flies: These are biters, and they usually go for a horse’s legs and belly. - Deer flies and horse flies: They’re big, painful biters, often found near water or woods. - Mosquitoes: They’re most active at dawn and dusk, and they can bite and transmit diseases. - Gnats (No-see-ums): They’re tiny, but their bites can be very itchy, especially around the mane and tail. That can lead to a condition called “sweet itch.” How to fight the fly army: - Fly sprays: These are your go-to defense. Apply a good fly spray before turning your horse out or riding, and always read the instructions carefully. You can also use special shampoos that help repel bugs, like the [Piaffe Horse Repel Oil Shampoo](/product/repel-oil-shampoo/), which gives them a great start to being bug-free. - Fly masks, sheets, and boots: These physical barriers are fantastic. Fly masks protect faces and eyes, fly sheets cover the body, and fly boots protect legs from stomping and bites. - Cleanliness is key: Flies love dirty places. Mucking out stalls regularly, picking up manure in pastures and keeping feed areas clean will drastically reduce the number of flies around your horse. - Fly traps and deterrents: Many kinds of fly traps help reduce the fly population in and around your barn. Some people also run fans in barns to create a breeze that flies don’t like. - Strategic turnout: Turn your horse out in the pasture during the cooler, breezier parts of the day, when flies are less active. Keep them stalled during peak fly hours, which are usually when it’s warmest and still. ### Coat and Skin Care: Keeping Them Sparkly Summer means lots of sweat, dust and dirt on your horse’s coat. Regular grooming matters even more now, to keep their skin healthy and their coat shiny. #### Grooming Routines In spring, horses shed their thick winter coats. Use a shedding blade or a curry comb vigorously to remove all that loose hair. Once the winter coat is gone, regular brushing with a dandy brush and a soft brush removes dirt and spreads natural oils, which makes the coat gleam. #### Bathing and Conditioning A bath can be a refreshing treat for your horse on a hot day, but don’t overdo it, because too much shampoo strips natural oils. Use a gentle horse-specific shampoo. For a deep clean, you might try the [Piaffe Horse Reluxe Main & Tail Shampoo](/product/reluxe-maintail-shampoo/) or the [Piaffe Horse Reluminate Shampoo](/product/reluminate-shampoo/) for a bright, clean look. If your horse works hard or needs extra care, the [Piaffe Horse Revive Shampoo](/product/revive-shampoorevive-shampoo/) is another excellent choice. Always rinse thoroughly and make sure no shampoo is left behind, since leftover shampoo irritates the skin. After shampooing, a good conditioner makes the coat, mane and tail super soft and easy to comb. Products like the [Piaffe Horse Release Spray Conditioner](/product/release-spray-conditioner/) or [Piaffe Horse Release Spray Conditioner](/product/release-spray-conditioner-2/) are fantastic for this, leaving the hair silky smooth and less likely to tangle. You’ll find more wonderful products for their coat and body care at [Piaffe Horse Coat & Body Care](/product-category/coat-body-care/). #### Mane and Tail Care Your horse’s mane and tail get dirty and tangled in summer. Pick out burrs and debris regularly, and comb them gently. A special mane and tail cream, like the [Piaffe Horse Refresh Main & Tail Cream](/product/refresh-maintail-cream/), helps keep them soft, shiny and tangle-free. It also makes them easier to brush and less likely to break. Explore more specialized products for their beautiful mane and tail at [Piaffe Horse Mane & Tail Treatment](/product-category/mane-tail-treatment/). #### Dealing with Summer Skin Issues Despite your best efforts, horses sometimes get skin irritations in summer. Sweet itch (from gnat bites) and small cuts and scrapes from being outside are common. Keep an eye out for any bumps, scabs or hair loss. For minor irritations, a soothing cream like the [Piaffe Horse Repair Cream](/product/repair-cream/) can be very helpful. If you notice anything concerning, or a problem seems to be getting worse, always ask an adult to consult a veterinarian. You can also explore other specialized care and protection products at [Piaffe Horse Specialized Care & Protection](/product-category/specialized-care-protection/). ### Hoof Health: Happy Feet, Happy Horse Summer weather can be tough on hooves. Dry, hard ground makes hooves brittle, and frequent wetting (from bathing or dew) followed by drying can make them crack. Just like our fingernails, hooves need care. Tips for healthy hooves: - Daily picking: Pick out your horse’s hooves every day. It removes dirt, rocks and any debris that could cause problems or hide issues. - Regular farrier visits: Your farrier (the person who trims and shoes horses’ hooves) is extra important in summer. They can check for cracks, make sure the hooves are balanced, and trim them to keep them strong. - Moisture balance: If hooves seem very dry and brittle, your farrier might recommend a hoof conditioner or dressing to help maintain moisture. If they’re too wet, make sure your horse has dry areas to stand. ### Exercise and Riding: Adjusting the Routine Riding and exercising your horse in summer is great fun, but you need to be smart about it so your horse doesn’t get too hot or tired. Smart summer exercise: - Early bird or night owl: The best times to ride in summer are usually early in the morning before the sun gets too strong, or in the evening after the sun has started to go down and the air cools. - Listen to your horse: Pay close attention to your horse’s breathing and how much they’re sweating. If they seem unusually tired or are breathing very heavily, stop and let them rest. - Shorten workouts: On really hot days, do shorter, lighter workouts and save the intense training for cooler days. - Cool down properly: After any exercise, take plenty of time to cool your horse down. Walk them for a good 10-15 minutes until their breathing returns to normal and their body feels cool to the touch. You can also hose them down with cool water to help bring their body temperature down, then scrape off the excess water so they dry quickly. Never leave a sweaty horse standing in the sun or in a hot, unventilated stall right after exercise. It can lead to serious health problems like heatstroke. ### Nutrition: Fueling for Summer What your horse eats always matters, but summer can bring some changes to their diet and needs. Summer nutrition points: - Good quality forage: Horses should always have access to good quality hay or fresh pasture. Grass in summer is often richer, so keep an eye on your horse’s weight if they’re out on lush pasture all day. - Adjusting grain: If your horse’s activity level changes (maybe you’re riding less because of the heat), you may need to adjust the amount of grain they get. Too much grain without enough work gives you a horse with too much energy. - Salt and electrolytes: As mentioned earlier, sweating makes horses lose salts. Make sure they have a salt block available, or consider adding an electrolyte supplement on very hot days or after hard work. ### Stable and Pasture Management: A Clean Home A clean environment keeps your horse healthy and cuts down on problems like flies and mud. Summer stable & pasture tips: - Clean stalls: Regular mucking out is super important for reducing flies and keeping the air in the stable fresh. - Good ventilation: Make sure your stable has good airflow. Open windows and doors (safely) or use fans to keep the air moving, especially on still, hot days. - Pasture checks: Walk your pastures regularly to check fences for damage, remove any poisonous plants that might grow in summer, and make sure water sources are clean. - Control mud: Summer storms can create muddy areas. Manage them to prevent hoof problems, and make sure your horse has dry ground to stand on. ### Your Summer Horse Care Checklist Here’s a quick look at the main things to remember for summer horse care: Care Area Key Summer Actions Water Provide fresh, clean water constantly. Clean buckets/troughs daily. Sun Protection Ensure shade, use horse sunscreen for pale areas, consider UV fly masks and sheets. Fly Control Use fly spray, masks, sheets. Keep stable and pasture clean. Coat & Skin Groom daily, bathe as needed with good shampoos & conditioners. Check for skin issues. Hooves Pick daily, regular farrier visits, maintain moisture balance. Exercise Ride in cool parts of the day, shorten intense workouts, cool down slowly. Nutrition Ensure good forage, adjust grain, provide salt/electrolytes. Environment Keep stalls clean, ensure good ventilation, check pastures regularly. ### Essential Summer Horse First Aid Kit Keep a basic first aid kit ready for minor summer scrapes and bug bites. Here are a few things to consider including: - Antiseptic spray or wipes for small cuts. - Bandages and vet wrap for minor wound covering. - Gloves for hygiene. - Scissors (blunt-nosed). - Thermometer to check for fever. - A soothing cream for insect bites or skin irritations, like the [Piaffe Horse Repair Cream](/product/repair-cream/). - Your veterinarian’s phone number. ## Enjoy a Wonderful Summer with Your Horse! Summer is a fantastic time to build special memories with your horse. Follow these care tips and you’re doing more than looking after your horse. You’re showing them how much you love and appreciate them. Keeping them hydrated, protected from the sun and flies, and well-groomed makes a huge difference to their comfort and happiness. Always pay close attention to your horse. They can’t tell you in words if they’re feeling hot or bothered, but they’ll show you through their behavior. A happy, healthy horse makes for a happy rider. Wishing you and your equine friend a wonderful, safe and fun-filled summer season. For all your horse’s summer grooming and care needs, visit the [Piaffe Horse Shop](/shop-2/) or browse our [entire range of products](/product-category/all-products/).