Too hot to compete?

We had polo matches Saturday/Sunday - today was particularly brutal on the ponies. Soon as they came off they had cold water baths and sponges on their polls to try to bring their temperature down, and have had electrolytes for the last few days in their feed.

Although they were all totally washed off at the grounds, by the time we got home they were dripping with sweat again, so all had another cold shower.

They are all utterly knackered now, and they are very fit ponies - but the heat just took it out of them (and us...I am wrecked!)
 
Izzy and I did a 33km endurance ride today. Luckily we were finished by about 12.30 and most of the ride was in shaded forest tracks. The organisers were very well organised with lots of extra helpers with water and sloshing bottles for the horses at loads of checkpoints.

We didn't push the horses and only went about 11 km/hr and then gave them lots of cold water sponge offs when we got back. The horses had slightly higher heart rates than normal (Izzy 47, normally 41 after ride) but they were fine.

Did make sure they drank plenty with a variety of water options available after the ride. Izzy still had energy to prance to the field when I turned him out but am glad the ride was mostly shaded.
 
I think the difference is aclimatisation - these horses and people are used to the hot weather and their bodies have adapted so they are better able to cope.

Just because people and horse in africa and other hot countries can cope well in the heat does not mean we can all do if we are not used to it.

Caol Ila said:
What do you all think North Americans do?

They usually waved jackets..... when it got to about 100F. There was nothing as fun as riding in a black, woollen dressage jacket when it was 90F. Oy.

Good advice on this thread about cooling, of course, and what we all did as a matter of course.

(all meant in good fun... and to keep things in perspective)
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Which ride were you at? We were at Bocconnoc couple weeks ago, lovely ride. Found woods more of a problem making horse sweat as was muggy with no breeze. Open fields with long canters were stunning.
 
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