Forecast this week and shows not postponing!

[Mary3050]

Hi Guys ,

So my niece is due to compete at national championship this week . With the weather expected to reach highs of 34 degrees . The event have essentially put on SM accounts how to keep horses cool and it’s the riders choice to compete or not . We aren’t talking elite riders either so it’s not like horses and riders are used to these conditions or have fitness as such. My niece asked if any back up pain had been put in place ie moving to indoors, bringing classes forward to escape the hottest times of the day . They have said no they have a vet and advise riders to make a decision based on there horse .

I am gob snacked they want them to pull out and not refund the cost of entries. Surly they can’t be serious is this taking into account the horse welfare. They are also going to risk losing the prestigiousness of the competition to if only a few rider turn up what the point !

My niece is currently sleeping on her decision to withdraw but I am so shocked

 

[Kaylum]

A couple of years ago we had a dog show planned in July the weather was so hot we postponed it even though that was a lot of work to move a few months down the line to September.

 

[ester]

I suspect it depends whether they have funds to shoulder the cost if they don’t run. And some people will complain if they cancel.

 

[Nicnac]

It's a business. They will have already spent a shedload of money upfront in hiring equipment, paying for services etc. Why should they postpone/cancel?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Postponing or cancelling leads to huge money costs. Many events will thus leave it up to the exhibitor to decide.

Running indoors would be worse as after half a dozen horses the indoors will be like saunas and even warmer than outside with no chance of a breeze coming across.

Racing carries on though we do sometimes move the times of races to suit the cooler times of the day. The racecourses also have extra staff and vets in to make sure the cooling down is done as quickly and as safely as possible. If it gets too hot or there is insufficient water for cooling down racing is abandoned.

Take water with you, lots of it for human and horse. Only ride for the bare minimum time, lead them in walk at a nice forward walking pace to warm the muscles up before getting on, this cuts down the time needing to be spent in the saddle. No extra flumf on the horse, no coat shines or glosses or oil, it's not needed. As soon as you have finished get off and take the saddle off and carry it. Inhand walk to cool down again after. Get plenty of water over and in your horse, use a sponge or sports cap bottle to scoosh water into your horses mouth.

Most of all - keep a close eye on your horse! If they look or feel a bit lazy, less sure in their footing or start to wobble you have done far too much, get off and get as much water on the horse as possible. Keep it walking. Never stop moving a horse that has heat stroke. If it goes down it might not get back up so keep it walking and keep the water buckets flowing over the horse if you don't have access to a hose pipe. And keep this up until the horse is bright Eyed and back to normal again.

If you don't feel comfortable taking your horse out in this weather then don't. If you don't think you can provide the right care for the horse when away then don't go. But don't have a go at competition organisers and the folks who do go. They do so at their own risk and will more than likely have every precaution going in their plans.

 

[Kaylum]

It's a business. They will have already spent a shedload of money upfront in hiring equipment, paying for services etc. Why should they postpone/cancel?

Horse welfare many shows got postponed when we did a few years ago due to welfare reasons. That should be in your Plan B and animal welfare should be at the forefront of all shows.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

It's a business. They will have already spent a shedload of money upfront in hiring equipment, paying for services etc. Why should they postpone/cancel?

Particularly when its a cancellation based on a weather forecast. Forecasts vary between companies and all have said they aren't sure on progression or direction of the incoming weather.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'd expect it to be up to me as a competitor to decide if I was happy to compete. I wouldn't expect the show to cancel or be entitled to a refund if I chose not to go.

 

[Fieldlife]

English weather is rarely very predictable re advanced cancellations.

I think you have to make a decision based on how accustomed your horse is to working in heat / how fit your horse is / how hot your transport gets / how good your cooling off routine is / whether you and horse will enjoy it enough to justify going out in the heat etc.

 

[GoodBoyNice]

Sadly money always is the priority .

 

[OlderNotWiser]

Local unaffiliated showjumping has been cancelled on Sunday, have to I’m pleased!

 

[Fieldlife]

Sadly money always is the priority .

Given the difficult margins on shows, and the number of venues being lost or events being cancelled that is a bit harsh.

Venues cant afford to run events at a loss. Last minute cancellations dont come free. Facilities cost a lot to set up and maintain.

TBH I would rather lose an entry fee if I deem it not in my horse / my best interest to attend, rather than risk losing the venue / or risk the venue not wanting to put on the classes / events I want to attend.

Venues do cancel if arena is unusable, and will typically refund after closing date when you have a vet or doctor note.

 

[irishdraft]

RC area dressage has been cancelled and also a couple of other things in my area. It's forecast 34 which isn't normal summer temps plus the ground is like concrete. Personally I wouldn't be going anywhere with my horse in those temperatures whether it was cancelled or not .Wouldn't want to risk being stuck in traffic or breaking down . I cannot see how it could be enjoyable for horse or human & most of us do this for enjoyment not work.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I'd entered a dressage comp on Sunday. I messaged the venue and they gave given me til wed to decide. I'd not paid so its very generous of them to allow me a bit more time to decide. Its looking unlikely that I will go.

 

[ihatework]

Why on earth would they postpone/cancel?
It’s hot for sure but we aren’t talking Middle East type temperatures!
It should be up to the competitor to have their horse fit enough for a championship in summer, or accept the risk of loosing their entry fee

 

[Jenko109]

A class or two in this heat on a suitably fit horse would not concern me.

 

[ponynutz]

As they've said it's up to the owner/rider to know their horse. I know plenty of horses who could compete in this heat, and know plenty (my own included) who couldn't. They risk losing money and an impression of reliability if they cancel at such short notice.

 

[silv]

Why on earth would they postpone/cancel?
It’s hot for sure but we aren’t talking Middle East type temperatures!
It should be up to the competitor to have their horse fit enough for a championship in summer, or accept the risk of loosing their entry fee

This, I sometimes compete or go trekking in those temperatures my horses cope fine, especially if it’s not too humid. Good horsemanship includes knowing how to keep your horse cool.
prior to the Atlanta Olympics 3 DE in 1994 a massive amount of research was done on this very topic and measures put in place. It was actually found that the horses coped extremely well, much better than expected.

 

[Ratface]

If I was booked to compete, I would decide on the day whether I was going to, or not.
My horse is a senior, and although sound and fit, I wouldn't want to compromise his health or welfare in any way. There's always another show. There will never be another Old Loon.
If I decided against it, I would inform the relevant people and forfeit the entrance fee.
My horse's welfare is paramount at all times.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'm surprised your niece is 'sleeping on the decision' but you think the venue should have made the decision for her.
Surely the person best placed to make a decision on if a horse is able to cope in the conditions on the day is the owner.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd have no problem competing and have done many times in the past in heatwaves. Shows were much more flexible on arrival times and departures then though.

However, I do have issues with transporting in the heat unless the transport is geared up to keep the animals cool if held up in traffic, accidents etc.

 

[Fieldlife]

I'd have no problem competing and have done many times in the past in heatwaves. Shows were much more flexible on arrival times and departures then though.

However, I do have issues with transporting in the heat unless the transport is geared up to keep the animals cool if held up in traffic, accidents etc.

It at least partly depends on lorry design. About 7 years ago, I pretty much got heatstroke stationary in my lorry on motorway in traffic for 90 minutes of crawling traffic on very hot day. My fan didn’t work if engine not moving, engine hot in cab snd in direct sunlight. I went on to venue as only short distance away from traffic (can’t turn round on motorway). I’d rung them and said very late snd could I cold hose horse on arrival. Horse was fine, back of lorry didn’t heat up. I on the other hand was a mess.

I think everyone needs to know to what extent their lorry heats up travelling. I’ve no idea why my older lorry stays cool but love it!!

 

[GinaGeo]

I don’t like competing in the heat. But I will, provided I know there’s plenty of shade and I’m not going to be traveling in the heat of the day.

A bigger concern for me is getting stuck in traffic. Pretty much all of my travel to shows would be Motorway based. I would not want to be stuck in traffic on a hot day with a horse on board.

My lorry has plenty of ventilation, but that’s only any good if you’re moving. To travel a horse in that sort of heat I’d want a lorry with Aircon in the horse area.

 

[Mary3050]

I'm surprised your niece is 'sleeping on the decision' but you think the venue should have made the decision for her.
Surely the person best placed to make a decision on if a horse is able to cope in the conditions on the day is the owner.

She sleeping on the decision as she has a 3h 30 drive with two horses . For 3 days of competitions . With 2/3 classes a Day it the highlight of the season for her. But she set to loose over £500 if she doesn’t attend her horse will likely be okay but it’s the what if there not . They are refusing to make any changes to the classes as other shows have done I think they just wanna know a plan B

 

[Mary3050]

It at least partly depends on lorry design. About 7 years ago, I pretty much got heatstroke stationary in my lorry on motorway in traffic for 90 minutes of crawling traffic on very hot day. My fan didn’t work if engine not moving, engine hot in cab snd in direct sunlight. I went on to venue as only short distance away from traffic (can’t turn round on motorway). I’d rung them and said very late snd could I cold hose horse on arrival. Horse was fine, back of lorry didn’t heat up. I on the other hand was a mess.

I think everyone needs to know to what extent their lorry heats up travelling. I’ve no idea why my older lorry stays cool but love it!!

This is worrying glad you were okay she has fans in the horse area but has never used them so is unsure if they help sufficiently .

 

[Bellaboo18]

She sleeping on the decision as she has a 3h 30 drive with two horses . For 3 days of competitions . With 2/3 classes a Day it the highlight of the season for her. But she set to loose over £500 if she doesn’t attend her horse will likely be okay but it’s the what if there not . They are refusing to make any changes to the classes as other shows have done I think they just wanna know a plan B

I wonder what the venue is set to loose.

 

[Fieldlife]

She sleeping on the decision as she has a 3h 30 drive with two horses . For 3 days of competitions . With 2/3 classes a Day it the highlight of the season for her. But she set to loose over £500 if she doesn’t attend her horse will likely be okay but it’s the what if there not . They are refusing to make any changes to the classes as other shows have done I think they just wanna know a plan B

Are the stables at the venue cool? With good access to hoses to cool down? If so I’d travel over very early morning / after it’s cool in evening.

She can then decide on the air temperature, amount of shade, how each horse is doing, and decide on each class on a case by case basis.

And travel home early / late avoiding heat.

If stables are heat traps sound like a nightmare!

 

[teapot]

I think OP may be talking about the RDA National Champs which is a whole other kettle of fish than your average comp with the risks involved. We’re not talking comp horses here, we’re talking cobajobs (bar the lucky few), probably older, probably on the bigger side, and probably not used to travelling too much either. The venue is an utter sun trap in my experience too.

I’ve been to Nationals when it was 30 degrees and that was bad enough for the horse and rider involved. I’m not sure how you can/could justify encouraging riders in the temps that are predicted for this weekend coming. If the rider(s) are making decisions for themselves, fine, but at RDA Nationals a lot won’t be and that doesn’t sit quite right with me I’m afraid.

There will be a lot of expectation to run this year because it’s the first one since 2019 too. It’s certainly dividing opinion from what I’ve read this evening!

 

[ester]

Our forecast seems to have already dropped from 35 degrees on sunday to 30

I do think it is harder for championships just due to the sheer amount of organising involved.

I have less than fond memories of the week approaching RC winter area SJ when we had snow, everyone was pestering as to when we were going to cancel but if we as the organising club cancelled we had to foot the £800 hire fee which as a small club we really couldn't afford. If the venue cancelled on us because the warm up was covered in snow we weren't responsible for it, so were understandably hanging on!

I do think it depends on people's travelling arrangements and horses, mine would struggle in heat, it just wasn't his thing so there would be little point in taking him ?. We also only had a trailer. Others quite like the heat, and have lorries more designed to cope with higher temps even when stationery.

 

[Mary3050]

I think OP may be talking about the RDA National Champs which is a whole other kettle of fish than your average comp of any level with the risks involved. The venue is an utter sun trap in my experience too.

I’ve been to Nationals when it was 30 degrees and that was bad enough for the horse and rider involved. I’m not sure how you can/could justify encouraging riders in the temps that are predicted for this weekend coming. If the rider(s) are making decisions for themselves, fine, but at RDA Nationals a lot won’t be and that doesn’t sit quite right with me I’m afraid.

There will be a lot of expectation to run this year because it’s the first one since 2019 too.

Not really wanting to start a naming and shaming game but interesting to hear you opinion on the Venue . There are few championship shows going ahead this weekend . But many smaller local venues have cancelled !