PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
That is just silly perhaps all people should be banned from going outside too.
Cruel vanity parades?
- Thread starter brighteyes
- Start date
That is just silly perhaps all people should be banned from going outside too.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
Me and my friend schooled both my Arabs at 7.30pm last night it was still hot but they both went amazing, they were both sweaty but they were really forward and seemed to really enjoy it, they had a big hose down afterwards. I agree with you about the heat and how it affects certain breeds in different ways, I think hot blooded horses cope much better.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
When lived in Missouri (regularly over 100F and 100% humidity in summer) I used to work the horses from around 2am - 4.40am: it was the coolest time of the day. In the summer the horses would need fans in their stables, and even then they would often be sweating. These were Trakehners, so fairly hotblooded and fine skinned animals. They had electrolytes and were hosed off after work, and we never had a heat-related problem. We competed all summer and travelled much longer distances than would be normal in the UK.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
Now that is what you call proper heat
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
And the weight side of things was kind of my point. They compromise them anyway with being fat, then ask them to show in high temperatures. The event horses are extremely well prepared, fit and have every last cool-down facility and procedure known to man after the XC.
Hallo2012
Well-Known Member
Get a grip.
25 is not that hot and would see all shows in Europe cancelled.
technology, horse box building and recovery techniques are advancing all the time.
travelling in a climate controlled box, and working in 25 deg, with cooling and washing facilities available immdiately is not going to bother the majority of fit horses.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Yes I agree.
scats
Well-Known Member
Really? I don’t think 25 degrees would warrant that. Obviously you would be mindful of horses carrying excess weight or unfit, but those in trim condition and working fit, provided they are well managed correctly, I wouldn’t see it as a major problem at that temperature.
huskydamage
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't take my dog out in the heat, but then he's a siberian husky. My horse is an angloarab and considering one of those breeds lives in the desert, I assumed she can cope with the odd hot ride or comp!
Quigleyandme
Well-Known Member
Before I had wash down facilities on my box I took a backpack sprayer with a peppermint or cucumber wash in it and a large bucket of sloppy sugar beet with electrolytes. I would also arrive early to get the best shady spot. On pleasure rides I would often be first out to beat the heat. If jumping I would declare as soon as entries opened. It is possible to keep your horse comfortable in the heat with a bit of forward planning. I got caught up in stationary traffic following an accident on the M5 and because we had the sprayer, water and sugar beet we were able to keep the horses hydrated and comfortable until the police escorted us down the hard shoulder to the services.
Winters100
Well-Known Member
I get that weight is a big issue, I like mine trim to the point of recently having been accused of them being far too thin (they are not, my vet is extremely happy with how I manage their weight, especially in the good-doer). What I don't really get is why it is showing that you object to, because my observation is that a lot, perhaps the majority, of leisure horses are overweight, and that people should be encouraged to move them within reason, as I don't think that standing in the paddock eating as soon as it reaches 25 degrees would do their weight much good. I could certainly not manage my good doer so easily if he had to spend 2 to 3 months of summer on holiday. Any local riding club shows will have a lot of overweight horses, and many of them doing more strenuous exercise than a show pony. I agree that it is shocking how overweight some are, but to be honest to me it is more a case of encouraging people to exercise their horses more, not less, and show ponies are certainly not the worst example.
If it is just transport that you object to then this can be easily managed. This week mine will be transported 5 hours to a competition in a climate controlled box, if I could not arrange one with climate control I would simply move them early morning and stop as necessary to sponge them off and provide water. The driver has a camera and can see how they are doing, and I will follow by car to be on hand in the event of problems. Weather forecast is for 34 degrees that day, and I have on many occasions transported in these temperatures without problems. 25 degrees for transport would not worry me a bit.
I agree that there is cause for concern regarding weight of a lot of horses, but really movement is the key to managing this in horses (at least ones that are able to be moved, I dread good-doer retiring). It enables me to give unlimited hay, even to good-doer (albeit soaked and in a small holed haynet), and to be honest I get a bit sick of explaining to well meaning people that I am not a bit worried that they are sweaty after training - I run every morning and I also sweat. I take the greatest care I can of my horses, and I would really take exception to someone telling me that I was cruel to transport and compete fit and healthy horses during the summer.
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
MO is miserable in the summer.
Horses are better at thermoregulation than pathetic, weak humans. The rule of thumb I was taught -- for both hot and cold weather -- is that if you can cope with it, your horse will probably be fine.
We are exceptionally wussy in the UK. A temperate climate makes you soft. When I have gone on climbing trips in the Alps, you notice sad groups of British climbers cowering around trees and shaded parts of crags, while the French and Italian climbers are happily going up routes. I, of course, have joined the sad groups of Brits. I've been here long enough to have lost any tolerance I once had for the heat.
littleshetland
Well-Known Member
My PRE was positively perky at 7pm last night when I worked him.....the Friesian was not!
Leandy
Well-Known Member
This is the point - that you cannot compare heat issues for dogs and the position for horses. Dogs can barely sweat (and often have thick coats) and are generally not bred for sport, and so are badly adapted to cope with high temperatures. Horses on the other hand have a very significant ability to cool themselves by sweating and are also bred for performance. Yes, in hot, humid conditions the ability to cool via sweating is inhibited and so performance expected will need to be moderated but generally horses are well adapted to performing on hot summer days. The riders will likely succumb to the heat before their horses do.
LadyGascoyne
Well-Known Member
I know everyone is complaining about how hot it is but I am loving it!
I’ve lived in countries where 28 is considered a cool summers day. We rode regardless, although I think at 35/38c or no one wants to do much so you ride early morning when it’s more like… 28c ?
I have a Spanish, from Spain, and two Arabs. The Spanish didn’t like being in the stable when it was 30c the other evening but that was also stress. Other than that everyone was fine and I schooled one, and hacked one while I led the yearling.
I’ve lived in countries where 28 is considered a cool summers day. We rode regardless, although I think at 35/38c or no one wants to do much so you ride early morning when it’s more like… 28c ?
I have a Spanish, from Spain, and two Arabs. The Spanish didn’t like being in the stable when it was 30c the other evening but that was also stress. Other than that everyone was fine and I schooled one, and hacked one while I led the yearling.
Ouch05
Well-Known Member
Competed dressage on my tb on Sunday at 1200 he was move forward then ever. I just adjusted my warm up and made sure he was washed and cooked off after. He really was not nit bothered.
rode the young WB Tuesday lunch time (only time I had as I was going away for the week) kept it short but he too was super keen. A good wash off and back to the field he looked no worse for wear I was a a tad sweaty ?.
You can’t blanket statement you can adjust your riding warm up etc to suit your horse not just ban as you think it’s unkind
rode the young WB Tuesday lunch time (only time I had as I was going away for the week) kept it short but he too was super keen. A good wash off and back to the field he looked no worse for wear I was a a tad sweaty ?.
You can’t blanket statement you can adjust your riding warm up etc to suit your horse not just ban as you think it’s unkind
Cortez
Tough but Fair
I find my Spanish horses are much more relaxed when it's warm, they do not appreciate being cold or wet so this is much more like it for them 
Hairy cobs and heavier horses tend to be the opposite. Hardly surprising really.
Hairy cobs and heavier horses tend to be the opposite. Hardly surprising really.
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
The Andalusians are happy. The Highland is unimpressed.
SEL
Well-Known Member
I have a fat one with anhydrosis and even she manages ok in 25 degrees. She's limited as to what she can do because of an injury these days but despite having a tonne of shade will stand in the sun at 30 degrees. I used to ride her happily at 25 degrees but just keep an eye on how she was.
I was helping at a large 3 day event in the heat many years ago. Those horses were super fit but some still struggled. The vets just wanted the owners to be more educated as to what a struggling horse looked like and what they needed to do to address it (pull up, withdraw, get water on it etc).
I was helping at a large 3 day event in the heat many years ago. Those horses were super fit but some still struggled. The vets just wanted the owners to be more educated as to what a struggling horse looked like and what they needed to do to address it (pull up, withdraw, get water on it etc).
Charley657
Well-Known Member
We might have to cancel the equestrian section of the Olympics if some of you get your way!
Riding schools frequently offer hacks and lessons during the hottest part of the day. Of course in Scotland that doesn't mean much but for the last two weeks its been wonderful here. In my younger days I didn't mind but I don't think I would want to ride at 3pm if it was 25 degrees but when you're cantering along a beach it doesn't feel like 25 though
Riding schools frequently offer hacks and lessons during the hottest part of the day. Of course in Scotland that doesn't mean much but for the last two weeks its been wonderful here. In my younger days I didn't mind but I don't think I would want to ride at 3pm if it was 25 degrees but when you're cantering along a beach it doesn't feel like 25 though
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
I have a thin one who copes fine but probably wouldn't if he was fat. I keep him clipped out or he overheats, even in cooler weather. He has PPID.
LegOn
Well-Known Member
Technically everything we do a horse is a cruel vanity parade - we sit on the weakest point of their back, stick metal in their mouth and kick them in the ribs! Talk about using inflammatory language!
EVERYTHING we do with horses should involve careful management, consideration and implementation for each individual horse and their situation... showing, eventing, dressage, showjumping, trail riding.... they all involve risks to the horse with temperatures higher than they are used but its up to us to manage that.
EVERYTHING we do with horses should involve careful management, consideration and implementation for each individual horse and their situation... showing, eventing, dressage, showjumping, trail riding.... they all involve risks to the horse with temperatures higher than they are used but its up to us to manage that.
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
OK, I'll admit to the use of emotive language - I can't stand showing because it's a superficial exercise and requires without exception, a well-to-inadvisably-so covered horse or pony to be of any potential success. At least anything I do with mine can be abandoned in cases of weather and I keep them at a body score conducive to optimum health. If the class is to be held in 30 deg, I wonder how many withdrew simply on the strength of that. Or ran into the ring to ice off the waiting participants, during the other performances...
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Why is showing a superficial exercise as opposed to other disciplines? Having a horse schooled well enough that a stranger can ride it in an often busy environment requires a lot of time and effort out in. There is no where to hide once the horse is handed over.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
My fit show horse competed on Sunday, 31 degrees. Can't say I dipped her in ice, all the prep work to get her fit paid off nicely. The secret is to know how to get a horse fit for the job you require it do. The only time she broke sweat was on the truck getting excited. The rider in ratcatcher was puce and needed a bucket of water over her - after the Patey and tweed had been removed of course.
conniegirl
Well-Known Member
Very very important this part!!! Cant ruin a good tweed!!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Removing it from my rider was like peeling a banana ! Poor lady was a bit warm.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Lol I put my breeches on at 7 am Sunday. First class in hand assessment of three minutes. Then horse back in cool stable and back out for individual ridden of 10 mins warm up and 3 mins in ring. I kept my breeches on until after the 2 pm uncounted prize giving as felt is never get them back on if took them off.