⚠️ Hot weather warning ⚠️
Due to reduced daylight hours, your horse has probably started changing their coat ready for winter. This could mean that they find this hot weather more of a struggle than usual 🐴🥵
Here are some of our top tips to help your horse in hot weather ⬇️
Hydration💧
Ensure your horse has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Sweating more during hot weather can mean that your horse will drink more than usual, plus they’ll lose essential electrolytes. It’s a good idea to supplement your horse with salt, or electrolytes to replenish their levels. Feeding electrolytes can also increase their thirst response.
Get familiar with your horse’s vitals 🌡
Being aware of your horse’s vital signs helps you to spot any changes which can be an indication that your horse is unwell, healthy adult horses should have the following ranges for their TPR:
Temperature: 37.5-38.5°C (99-101°F)
Pulse: 36-40 beats per minute
Respiration: 8-15 breaths per minute
Top tip ➡️ use myYardd to record your horse’s vital signs so you can easily monitor them, and share with your vet in just a few clicks, if necessary.
Create your free account to start monitoring your horse’s vitals today, visit www.myYardd.com to get the app ✅
Rapid cooling ❄️
Research has shown that the most efficient way of cooling your horse down is to continuously pour cool water over them, without scraping. If you suspect your horse is too hot, running the hose over their whole body is a great way to help cool them down, as well as providing access to shade.
If you suspect your horse has heatstroke, please contact your vet as soon as possible 📞
What are your best management tips for looking after your horse in hot weather? Pop them in the comments 🥰
Make sure your horse receives proper care, even when you’re not around 🩵
Create, save and share your horses feed and care routines in just a few clicks by using myYardd.
Get the app ⬇️
www.myYardd.com
Laminitis worries? ⚠️ Follow these simple head-to-hoof checks for the early, sometimes subtle signs that your horse is becoming laminitic. Thank you to Kelly at Horse Weighbridge North East for sharing this vital information to help horse owners, check out her page for more useful content and to find out about her weighbridge service. Head-to-hoof checks: ✅ check for swelling around their eyes✅ feel the crest of their neck for firmness✅ have a feel of any heat in the hooves✅ check for flexibility in their soles✅ feel their digital pulse at the fetlock and pastern to check if it is throbbing✅ watch them walk to see if they are shortening their stride or appear footsore. By performing these simple checks daily, you'll become familiar with what is 'normal' for your horse so if something changes you can take action. Generally speaking, by detecting a problem early you have a better chance of recovery. Please note ⤵️🌱 any one of these signs can mean your horse is becoming laminitic, so don't wait for them all to appear before taking action🌱 external factors can affect these symptoms, like shoeing cycles, ground conditions, and be aware checking for heat if your horse is standing in the sun! ⚠️ Always contact your vet if you have any concerns about the health of your horse ⚠️
Don’t have an account yet? Follow the link to download myYardd on the App Store or Google Play!
www.myYardd.com