Keeping a Dark Horse cool

[shellonabeach]

Since the weather is starting to heat up and another hot summer forcast I thought it was best to start getting prepared now.

My horse is an almost black dark bay and 17 years old, fit and active! In the summer I notice he seems to suffer with the heat more so than his field companions (chestnut, lighter bays and coloureds) often sweating just standing still.

The fields have no shade and the barn stables, even with both ends wide open and all windows and roof windows open are like an oven. I did fit a fan overhead in his box last summer but it didn't make much difference.

Last summer I couldn't decide whether he was better off naked or with a light coloured fly rug in the hope it would reflect the heat. I tried several and ended up using the Masta on and off last year (tried the weatherbeeta combo which was softer clung to him and made him drip with sweat.)

I'm now wondering whether to invest in a different type of fly rug or the weathebeeta Kool Coat. Will this help him keep cool when the weather is at its hottest?

Any suggestions? I'm on livery so field shelters etc are unfortunately not an option.

 

[spaniel]

I have a black cob who also suffers in the heat. I have found the best thing for him is to clip him out and put him out in his Kool Koat.

Flies seem to be more of an issue than sweating to be honest so invest in lots of GOOD fly repellent.

I do know someone who put up one of those fabric gazebos you can get from B+Q for his horse.....it did get used!!!

 

[cazza]

we use white canvas rugs from NZ they stay on the horses all summer, they have a detachable neck hood as well. I find it keeps them cool, it only has a front and back leg straps nothing under the belly so very good ventilation, not had any of ours sweat up under them. Brill rugs only downside you have to get them imported!

 

[shellonabeach]

Spaniel

I totally forgot to mention the fly problem - they seem to love him - more so than the others. One day last year he was being chased by Bot Flies who were ignoring all the others. Again I wondered if this was due to his colour.

As for fly spray I should take shares in the stuff as I use so much!

Funny you should mention the gazebo - I was planning on taking one to shows this summer and putting it up beside my trailer so I can tie him up in the shade (space allowing). May look into buying a cheap one for the field but think the thug ponies would destroy it / bully him out of it.

Clipping is a bit of a problem as I show him but if he gets really bad this year I will put that before appearance and clip.

The canvas rugs from NZ sound very good - I don't suppose you could give me an indication of what you paid for yours? I will try a Kool coat as these also have detatchable hoods and are very reasonably priced.

 

[cazza]

Oh God horrendously expensive, landed they cost me £150 each, although saying that my friend who is a MS now has my rugs as a template and is looking to make some for me over here using the same material as the largest I could get from NZ was a 59 which doesn't really fit my big horse that well (her bum hangs out the back) so she is going to make me a larger one.

the plus side of the rugs is that I have had them for 6 years now and other than the odd tear from overzealousness in the field they are still going strong, and are easily machine washable (don't have to sneak into the launderette).

 

[shellonabeach]

:-O Wow that is expensive!

I have found the Kool Coats on offer for £22.99 inc the detatchable hood so will def be going down that route!

 

[cazza]

Yes they were a heart failure waiting to happen, worrying thing is I have 6 summer ones and 4 winter. Worst of all I can't even get my OH to say no to things for the Horses as he rides too. I think we are only ever going to be a poor couple :-( but very happy with our neddies

 

[maisie]

ooh - Spaniel - where can I get a Kool COat from? My cob hates the heat and the flies - are they expensive? Thanks!

 

[spaniel]

A few of the horse catalogues have the Kool Koats this year. I think I paid about £20 for mine but there is now a nexk wrap as well which i didnt get so I reckon about £25 altogether.


Dont be put off when you see the fabric, it looks like it wont 'breathe' but I have never had a sweating problem in one of these and have been using mine for at least 4 years now. They cope well with mutual grooming and rolling as well.

Heres one...

http://www.hyperdrug.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KOOLCC

 

[Blizzard]

Ive just ordered one from equestrian clearance, £18.99 without neck, £25.99 with neck

 

[shellonabeach]

Kool coats are on offer on 4dobbin at £22.99 inc neck cover for April.

 

[pottamus]

I have a black cob and he suffers too...but I think he gets more fed up with the flies than anything. He has a field stable and spends most of his day in there...but that gets very hot too!I have noticed him in there already and it is not even summer yet.

 

[lucemoose]

Koolcoat all the way, no bleaching, no sweating, fewer flies happy horse!!

 

[Louby]

I ordered a Koolcoat last year for my black horse and sent it straight back as it was so heavy looking and I was sure he'd sweat, wish I'd read this first.
I have been using the Rambo fly rug that feels a bit plasticky, is very hard wearing and it works great. Its on its 3rd summer.