How to provide shade

[ponynutz]

Hi gang, just want some tips please.

Two horses at home with a 2 acre field and a sand paddock that they have free access to whenever they want (quite often they'll lie down and sunbathe here and is also where their water source is).

Not ultimately my decision of when they're in their stables and when they're not and so it's looking like they'll be out for most of the day even in the heatwave.

Normally the only shade is under trees in the sand paddock but I'm worried that in the extreme heat the sand will become too hot for them, and there's no shade in the field itself. Short of pulling a field shelter out of thin air I'm not really sure what I can do to help them?

Is it a case of just not letting them over-heat with icy water, cold hosing, and horsey ice lollies and hoping for the best given it's only a two day situation?

 

[Poingsettia]

Is the shade from the trees available in the afternoon when it’s likely to be hottest? They will use the shade if they need it. The sand should be cool where the shade is.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

A sail, like those people put over driveways.

Or I have seen, most often on those expensive track livery setups, garden misters set up in door- or gateways.

 

[maya2008]

Mine would like to say that if one is a dark colour (bay/brown/black) shade is necessary, but if not, standing around the water trough and regularly dunking one’s head is better than shade. All my dark coloured ones are in the barn all day, the lighter ponies eschew the trees and stand around the trough.

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

Why cant they be stabled and have shade for a few hours ? Who has the decision if your horses are at your home ?
If you have stables then use them in this severe heat until it eases up.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Why cant they be stabled and have shade for a few hours ? Who has the decision if your horses are at your home ?
If you have stables then use them in this severe heat until it eases up.

Oftentimes stables can be worse, though, due the lack of moving air inside, and the thermal mass of the walls, roof, or floor, which is of course further compounded if any of the former two are metal. Of course you may be right; it just depends on how the individual land/stables in question are constructed and set up.

 

[Apizz2019]

We put a gazebo up today as the barn is far too hot to be in during the day.

I've fixed it in place with metal electric fencing posts but pony is walking through it no problem.

He was happy to have a bum scratch after we'd just put it up ?

 

[ponynutz]

Is the shade from the trees available in the afternoon when it’s likely to be hottest? They will use the shade if they need it. The sand should be cool where the shade is.

Yes, but they have to walk through hot sand to get to it.

 

[ponynutz]

Why cant they be stabled and have shaReplyde for a few hours ? Who has the decision if your horses are at your home ?
If you have stables then use them in this severe heat until it eases up.

My dad has final say and I'm not at home until Tuesday, final day of the heatwave. I would much prefer them to be in the stables.

 

[ponynutz]

We put a gazebo up today as the barn is far too hot to be in during the day.

I've fixed it in place with metal electric fencing posts but pony is walking through it no problem.

He was happy to have a bum scratch after we'd just put it up ?

This is a cracking idea , thanks Think we have one lying around somewhere as well!

Loving the picture - he's so happy.

 

[southerncomfort]

I saw a post on FB where someone had concreted tall posts in to old tyres then used that green shade material you can buy in garden centres and DIY stores to create a canopy.

Showed it to OH who immediately went out and bought posts and several bags of Postcrete. I'll let you know how it turns out!!

 

[ponynutz]

new shelter erected!

 

[ponynutz]

I saw a post on FB where someone had concreted tall posts in to old tyres then used that green shade material you can buy in garden centres and DIY stores to create a canopy.

Showed it to OH who immediately went out and bought posts and several bags of Postcrete. I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Please do - seems everyone's gtting creative!

 

[Highmileagecob]

I went up the field to check on my old cob's breathing at 10.30am. All horses were at the top of the hill catching the breeze, and grazing happily. Loads of shade areas available lower down the slope, but nope, everyone in the sun. At least they can escape the full glare if they want to.

 

[Apizz2019]

new shelter erected!

Love it! ?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I saw a post on FB where someone had concreted tall posts in to old tyres then used that green shade material you can buy in garden centres and DIY stores to create a canopy.

Showed it to OH who immediately went out and bought posts and several bags of Postcrete. I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Please let us know how you get on. I'm interested to know how sturdy it is. Looking for something for summer and winter and this looks great!

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Please do - seems everyone's gtting creative!

What a fab OH

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

What a fab OH southern comfort.