How hot is too hot?

[Snow Falcon]

My old pony hated the heat and riding in the heat was no fun for either of us. I don't cope well in hot temperaures and being fair haired and skinned, I catch the sun readily. Being of a certain age now, I don't need any more heat thank you. Whilst it maybe fine for the pony, it is not for me!

 

[Michen]

I agree to some extent, but I think the travelling has to be considered. Unless you have means to keep the horse area cool, I don't think it's fair to travel 30mins + each way to compete in 30 degrees, no matter how fit the horse. If the trailer is sat in the sun, it quickly heats up. I stood in mine for a minute when I was making a decision on the clinic and I wasn't comfortable, so I know my horse definitely wouldn't be either.

What do you think people in other countries do though? It depends completely on your horse transportation and how it deals with heat. My silver ifor505 classic stayed cool in 36 degrees last year inc at the event itself.

 

[McFluff]

I tend to ride in the evening as that’s when I’ve finished work. Horse seems ok in the heat (certainly doesn’t tame the dragon) so I’ve never had to not ride. However I live in Scotland so rarely above 25 here, and coastal which helps.
Rode tonight, it was 25, felt ok temp wise, but the flies were horrendous!
if I open the roof vent on my box it’s cooler in there than out, and I have a temp gauge in there. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how cool it has stayed so far (my first summer with it).
That said though, we each need to decide what is right for us, our horse and our combined point in life. Better safe than sorry, but if you feel all is fine and your horse is fit/well, then crack on.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

When it goes above around 25 celcius I stil ride but just take it easy eg a nice 10-15mins stroll around the fields. anything below I ride as normal.
I recently discovered recovery mash and it has been a god send, my horse gets one scoop in a regular sized bucket full to the brim after every ride at the moment to make sure she gets plenty of water. Other than that we carry on as normal and she copes absolutely fine.

 

[TheHairyOne]

I had a lesson yesterday when it was 26/27 ish and didnt think anything of it. Horse is clipped and fit. I found it harder than he did.

Last years proper heatwave when it was topping 35 (and im in one of the areas that hit 40) I didnt want to do anything and certainly wasnt going to make the horse do anything. Even nights werent getting below 25. Humidity is a big part and the heat in the uk is different to the dry heat you can get abroad.

 

[rara007]

I’m competing in France this weekend and the journey will be far longer than 30min...! We’ll struggle far more than the horse, lugging everything around packing up! I wouldn’t bring my cob here, he doesn’t do heat, but we love heat for R! One of his best dressage tests was in 43*c..!

 

[millikins]

I gave driving a miss this afternoon because of the oppressive humidity rather than the heat. Pony is less fat and unfit than when purchased but a long way to go yet and I didn't think it was fair. I also have to leave the dog in the car when I take pony out and don't like doing that either. In general though I think horses cope better with the heat than humans do-this one anyway.

 

[Winters100]

What do you think people in other countries do though? It depends completely on your horse transportation and how it deals with heat. My silver ifor505 classic stayed cool in 36 degrees last year inc at the event itself.

Where I am most professional transporters have the option of climate control trucks for an additional fee. Today I saw that YO had booked one for a 2.5 - 3 hour journey, even though he has his own transport. Other option is to travel early morning / later in the evening.

 

[SEL]

I had a lesson yesterday - it was cloudy but soooo humid. We were both dripping and he got tired quickly.

Travelling is my issue right now. That was just a short trip but he was still drenched when we got back despite the fan and box being parked in the shade.

 

[Skib]

I share an IS horse who is renowned for napping. My experience is that she has napped only twice when I am riding her and both times on very hot days.
We hack solo. She is expertly clipped. Our winter route goes under trees so offers some shade. One hot summer day, I experimented by taking the winter route and sure enough she went forward nicely till we reached the point where the track left the shade. She then napped at exactly the pont where the sun lit meadows stretched out in front of us. I love the mare and I sinned by allowing her to return home.
I would not do that again. But at the time I was afraid that arguing with her might result in her bucking me off or charging for home, where there is a road to cross.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I share an IS horse who is renowned for napping. My experience is that she has napped only twice when I am riding her and both times on very hot days.
We hack solo. She is expertly clipped. Our winter route goes under trees so offers some shade. One hot summer day, I experimented by taking the winter route and sure enough she went forward nicely till we reached the point where the track left the shade. She then napped at exactly the pont where the sun lit meadows stretched out in front of us. I love the mare and I sinned by allowing her to return home.
I would not do that again. But at the time I was afraid that arguing with her might result in her bucking me off or charging for home, where there is a road to cross.

I wonder if it was the brightness she didn't like, can you get some sort of sunshade for a horse's eyes? I used to ride a pony that would only jump coloured poles if it was cloudy, any sun and he flatly refused to cooperate.

 

[JFTDWS]

I don’t consider it hot until it’s into the 30s. Much above 30 and I will usually only hack, at a pace appropriate to the horse’s fitness / acclimatisation / conditions of the day. My mare particularly doesn’t seem bothered about schooling / jumping in 30 degrees - but she is fit and conditioned for it.

I am not someone who enjoys heat, but I will continue to engage in other sports at around 30 - if I’m willing to put on full fencing kit and fight in the sun, I think the horse is probably ok to trot a few circles. She certainly looks less of a mess after, anyway!

 

[shanti]

I'm in Australia so 'hot' is over 36 degrees here, the horses are well used to the heat. Its more to do with the humidity, I think.
That being said, I am generally a fair-weather rider, I don't like riding in anything over 28, mainly due to the irritation of the fly's for both the horse and me and I won't ride in the wind because, well, horses and high winds are never a great combination I don't mind riding in rain though, and actually quite enjoy it.