Tell me Im not an idiot - traveling pony in hot weater

[tb gal]

I was due to go to an event with Pony on Friday but the journey is 2 hours plus in good traffic much more in bad. I had a bad experience a few months back on a similar journey that ended up being 5 hours in the heat. Sunday is forecast variously to be 27-29 . Pony is a bit older, doesn't really do heat and the 5 hour journey last time really knocked her. I feel upset as was looking forward to it but I think its a bit like leaving a dog in the car in hot weather. would be different if I have a horse box with a fan I think.

 

[HollyWoozle]

You’ve made a good decision in the best interests of your horse.

 

[PSD]

I think you’ve made the right decision. These events can happen another time when the weather is cooler, I’d do the same in your shoes.

 

[Squeak]

You can buy fans for the horsebox but with an older horse who doesn’t do well in heat and when a 5 hour journey knocked her previously I think you’re making the right decision.

I’m travelling my horse five hours to compete Saturday but he does well in heat and is fit and not phased by that sort of journey so it’s a completely different thing.

 

[Fjord]

Sounds like a very sensible decision.

 

[sunnyone]

What time of day are you thinking of travelling? Could you go very early a.m. when it's not so hot, and return late on.? Otherwise don't go.

 

[tb gal]

What time of day are you thinking of travelling? Could you go very early a.m. when it's not so hot, and return late on.? Otherwise don't go.

its a weekend event but I would need to go tomorrow and put up corral etc and no option of going before morning rush hour and too dark to set up corral after I got there in the evening if missing rush hour. I dont want to travel early Saturday and then compete as that will wipe pony out as well. There is always the next one.

 

[tb gal]

You can buy fans for the horsebox but with an older horse who doesn’t do well in heat and when a 5 hour journey knocked her previously I think you’re making the right decision.

I’m travelling my horse five hours to compete Saturday but he does well in heat and is fit and not phased by that sort of journey so it’s a completely different thing.

Mines a little aluminum trailer so very hot in this weather. To think I was worrying when I entered about camping in the cold! Just shows you cannot win with UK weather.

 

[SO1]

This is my pony this evening at 7.30pm. He is 5 and today was 30C. I had not even ridden him. I don't think I would travel unless you can clip the pony. Their winter coats are starting to come through.

He was really sweaty on his chest and his other side as were a lot of horses on the yard today.

The yard staff were sponging everyone down earlier as well.

 

[tb gal]

thank you all - I feel really down about it but better regret not going than to bitterly regret going if that makes sense.

S01 - mine also has her winter coat coming through and I dont want to clip this year as did last year and only ended up doing 2 x events post clip due to weather preventing towing, Id rather she has her coat due to her age (would be different if doing more or if she had cushings of course)

 

[tb gal]

This is my pony this evening at 7.30pm. He is 5 and today was 30C. I had not even ridden him. I don't think I would travel unless you can clip the pony. Their winter coats are starting to come through.

He was really sweaty on his chest and his other side as were a lot of horses on the yard today.

The yard staff were sponging everyone down earlier as well.

He’s really nice.

 

[SO1]

It was 32C today in my flat with a fan I think travelling any horse unless you have an air-conditioning lorry and the horse was clipped would be cruel and competing in this heat even for humans would be hard going and we have a choice to stop if we don't want to.

 

[AmyMay]

Very sensible decision!!

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Very sensible & I'd have done the same!

I'm taking mine out for 1 in hand & 1 ridden class at a local show Saturday & it's only 10 minutes down the road in a trailer - I'm even thinking twice about that!

 

[Jambarissa]

I think that's a sensible decision.

My box is large and airy with excellent airflow, horses never get sweaty even in hot weather BUT that only applies if we're moving and you can't guarantee you won't get stuck in miles of crawling traffic.

If you have to travel I'd clip, soak them through and put on a wet fly sheet so the evaporation cools them off. Then plan to pull over if you get stuck for any length of time to rewet everything. But better to just not go unless you're a serious competitor.

I'm applying this technique to myself atm and sleeping under a wet and well wrung out pashminsma. It's bliss!

 

[Boots*McGruber]

Sounds like a good decision. There’s always another day.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It is so hot today the humidity is horrible poor Louis was sweating in his stable so I've put the horses out as it's mainly overcast now anyway.

 

[Pedantic]

Good decision, animals welfare first, in this weather I get up really early to ride before silly heat, plus it's nicer, as less riff raff. .I mean people about

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Not a idiot - very sensible