Don’t let seasonal challenges stand in the way of enjoying your horse. Continue reading for summertime horse-management tips from Kentucky Equine Research (KER), the world leader in equine nutrition.
Sultry and Shady Situations
Horses usually cope with heat and humidity well enough, but they can benefit enormously from extra care in management. Protection from the sun and a fresh, clean water supply are just two ways to add comfort to a steamy day.
- Assessing Dehydration in Horses
- Run-In Sheds Provide Shelter for Pastured Horses
- Keeping Horses Cool with Small Changes in Diet
- Is Your Horse’s Natural Water Source Safe?
Electrolytes: Salt and Then Some
Tempting as it may be to think that your horse’s sweat is merely water, it’s not! Sweat is chock-full of electrolytes. For optimal health, these electrolytes must be replaced, especially in horses that sweat daily.
- Electrolytes Vital for Performance Horses
- Electrolytes and Performance Horses: Is a Salt Block Enough?
- Anhidrosis in Horses May Have a Genetic Component
- Ideal Salt Levels for Horses Examined
- Should Horses Be Given Loose Salt or a Salt Block?
Joint Health: Flex Your Options
Though many riders exercise their horses year-round, others enjoy riding only in the warmer months. To maximize your horse’s well-being during high-activity months, focus on continual joint care.
- Joint Disease in Horses an Age-Old Problem
- Equine Joint Supplements: Merits of Glucosamine
- Omega-3s for Joint Health
- Understanding Joint Disease in Horses
Forage Fundamentals
With sufficient rainfall and diligence in management, pastures can offer an abundance of fresh forage. But weather, weeds, and metabolic concerns can sometimes make pastures a less-than-perfect forage source for certain horses.