what is too hot?

[UKa]

what sort of temperatures are too for horses to be in if they are in a field with no shelter?

 

[nuffield]

I'd guess at 18 degrees C and above.

 

[Donkeymad]

Depends on the horse and what each one finds uncomfortable. No actual set temperature.

 

[Janette]

A woman at our yard declared it too hot for her mare to be out in it - despite the fact that there is an enormous tree for shade, large hedges and a copious supply of fresh water.

 

[Enfys]

Depends on the horse, I regularly have temperatures in the high 20C to 30C+ in the summer, my horses quite happily graze out there in the sun especially if it is windy. The only reason they generally prefer to be in their sheds is that the damn bugs like it hot too.

ps. They live out in the -20C too.

I guess horses are like people, dogs etc. My OH and daughter love the hot weather, I can take it to about 28C then I am inside with the a/c whacked on. On the other hand, I LOVE the cold weather and will happily ride in -20 when they are inside infront of the fire.

 

[PapaFrita]

Well, PF seems to find temperatures over 30C perfectly fine. She has GOT shade when she's out, but doesn't seem to use it much.

 

[Fairynuff]

mine are fine out in the heat till the humidity kicks in then its "we want to come home now" about 9am

They go out at 5.30 when it gets really hot (35 plus) and at 6.30 when its not so hot. All have salt licks, have a tablespoon of salt added to their evening feed and when it gets unbearably humid they have electrolytes added to their feed. We can get to 40 degrees and up to 90 per cent humidity and its bloody awful for all

All of us, horses included, love the winter

. M.

 

[PapaFrita]

PF is obviously a summer animal

We've had rubbish weather for a week or so and she keeps yelling at me to bring her in! I remember the 90% humidity in Buenos Aires; it was unbearable. Luckily it's very dry here so we really don't feel the heat so badly.

 

[UKa]

Ok, thanks for all this - just as I have not choice but to turn out during the day now while it is reasonably hot for the UK (22 degrees) and they have no shade. Have been worried it would be too hot but then there has been a good breeze. Can't do nighttime only as most do at yard (another long story). If it gets over 25 she will be brought inside over the hottest part of the day...

 

[MagicMelon]

I dont think temps in the UK are ever too hot TBH! Maybe if you have a thick coated native or something. One of mine feels the heat quite a bit as he's a black Welsh D, I just chuck on a white fly rug / Kool Coat sheet.

 

[251libby]

I agree magic magpie, I too cant turn out at night and my horse is usually out from 7am - 6 pm and seems to cope fine

 

[sandr]

I have a 'cut off' point at 22 degrees, we have no shelter at all, they are in the middle of an open field and i think its unfair for them to stand in blazing sunshine 24/7. They come in at about 10am and go back out about 5pm.

 

[Niraf]

Temperatures go up to 35 (occasionally 40) degrees here. The horses have shadecloth shelters for when it is very hot so they can choose. I notice that they all like the hottest part of the day and will stand happily grazing in the full sun when I am inside in an a/c office ! I suppose it depends a lot on what the horses are used to as at 13 degrees my arab starts shivering !

 

[teb]

I'm really puzzled withe 22 degrees cut off point. I guess maybe because I know what really hot is. My horses have a shade area which they don't use. They have salt licks and plenty of fresh water. Good lord if they can't handle temps in the 70's F, they are in trouble.

Give them a cold hose if your worried about them. Contrary to popular belief it will not kill them and they enjoy it.

Terri