I’m heading out to spray down our horses. Again. In this heat, I’m afraid not to. The heat index today is 112, according to the Post and Courier’s weather page. And although this feels hot to me, I know it feels hotter to our horses, Peanut and Replay.
Horses here in the Lowcountry face special heat challenges during the summer months. Our high heat and humidity combine to make it hard for their bodies to cool themselves.
Donna Jones, the owner of Graymour Stables, has had volunteers spraying down horses like they are coming through a car wash--assembly line style. And when I stopped by Medicine Wind Tack and Supply shop earlier today, owner Jennifer Martin’s first question was, “How are your horses getting by in this heat?” She, too, had been out soaking horses. So, I guess I had better keep it up.
Donna Jones, the owner of Graymour Stables, has had volunteers spraying down horses like they are coming through a car wash--assembly line style. And when I stopped by Medicine Wind Tack and Supply shop earlier today, owner Jennifer Martin’s first question was, “How are your horses getting by in this heat?” She, too, had been out soaking horses. So, I guess I had better keep it up.
Here are some of the other ways Lowcountry owners are cooling down their horses:
• Making sure the horses can get out of the sun – under trees, a shelter, or in a stall
• Putting them in a stall with a fan blowing directly on them during the day, and then letting them out at night
• Providing plenty of clean, fresh water and checking it often
• Not riding their horses except close to dawn or sunset
• Night riding in lighted arenas
• Taking the horses swimming in local ponds or streams
Do you have other suggestions? Post them here!
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