HI Spy: How do you beat the heat at the barn?
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="180px" width="200px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Of course, this just means that the sweltering days of summer are right around the corner.
Long, summer days provide ample warmth and daylight hours for extended trail rides or training sessions. In most parts of North America, the summer months are prime competition season when riders want their horses to be in peak condition. At the same time, heat and humidity can pose more of a threat to your horse’s health and well-being than even the most miserable winter conditions. Enjoying summer’s weather while still ensuring the health of your horse and yourself takes careful planning.
What do you do to make sure your horse doesn’t get overheated in the middle of a long trail ride? What’s your secret for dealing with hot, dusty arenas during mid-July training sessions? And it’s not just about the horses. We want to know how you keep yourself cool and comfortable at the barn, on the trail or at a show. Share your tips with other horseillustrated.com visitors by clicking “Submit a Comment” below. Some of the answers may appear in a future issue of Horse Illustrated.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="192px" width="200px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
See more HI Spy Questions >>
Recent Posts
2025 FEI Basel World Cup Finals Hands Reins to Fort Worth 2026
As U.S. athletes look back on valuable experience gained at the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals in Switzerland, the next…
How to Clean a Horse’s Sheath
If you’ve never cleaned a horse’s sheath, you probably have questions. First and foremost, is it really necessary? And more…
All Three Equestrian Sports Receive Final Confirmation for the LA 2028 Olympic Games
After a nail-biting two years of speculation about the inclusion of equestrian sports in the next Olympic Games, it was…
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Xanthus
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Be Your Horse’s Joint Health Champion
Equine arthritis can affect horses of all disciplines and ages, and early intervention is crucial for maintaining comfort and performance.…
Tamie Smith: Taking It To The Next Level
Mother, grandmother, and winning 5* eventing rider—these three titles don’t typically go together. However, Tamie Smith, 49, is all of…
View Comments
I mainly go on trail rides, so in order for me to stay cool I ride in my bathing suit! Then after I'm done riding I wash of my horse and then go in my pool and cool myself off!
I have water wars with my horse! I grab a hose and spray her down, then she gets me back by shaking off. It's so much fun and the other boarders get a laugh out of it too. Just be sure to wear a bathingsuit or bring a change of clothes!
I go on a lot of trail rides, and one of the most important things to know is where all the water sources are so your horse can cool off and get a drink. I've also found out that eating helps slow a horse's heartbeat and breathing, so I always bring carrots on harder rides or hot days.
I like to take out the hose and gently spray my horse all over. And i let her eat the grass around her. Then i take a sponge and wipe her face off too, so shes nice cool. Also get a bucket full of water and let her get a big gulp of cool water. And of course during all this i get cooled of also when she shakes.
I give my horse a bath when its hot in the summer or I give him a nice grooming
For summer riding, I head to wooded areas where it's nice and cool. I also carry electrolytes to add to my horses water when riding/showing in extreme heat.
To stay cool when we are trail riding we take off the tack and wade in a stream with the horses. After riding we give a nice long bath. In the barn we have fans on the stall doors.
I like to hose my horse off after a ride to cool him off and give him a nice bucket of water. Sometimes we sneak into the pond for a quick ride but its not the cleanest and usually requires a bath afterward to get the mud off. While i work at the barn we like to have water wars with the other workers. It usually starts as an innocent dribble of water or water balloon but soon turns into tossing full buckets of water from the horses freshly cleaned stalls at each other.
when I go on trail rides I usaly choose one with a lot of shade or there is one that has a stream!!!... at the barn my horse has a fan so I stand in front of it or I turn on the sprinklers and run in them... a great way too cool off!!!!.. hope this helps..
In the barn its a good idea to have fans throughout the stables to keep horses cool. Its also great to wash off horses outside and let them dry off in the sun. They'll feel great.
In the arena I take a bucket full of water, a sponge, a rope and I poll and bring it down with me. I set the bucket down next to the poll. Then tie on end of the sting to the sponge and tie a loop on the other end. Now put the loop on the top of the poll. That way while riding you can pull of the sponge and cool off your horse without having to get out of the saddle.
On the trails its always great to ride in as many shady areas as you can to keep your horse cool. While riding in the sun dont work you horse too hard. On trails its great to ride bareback so your horse doesnt have as much weight to carry.