However, as with other animals, horses are prone to dehydration and can suffer from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially as they're usually outside in the sun.
Although some sun is beneficial and necessary, a horse's health can suffer negative effects when he's exposed too long to the sun's rays. Results can vary from skin and eye damage to immune system suppression and possibly skin cancer.
“The horses in our study had widely different preferences,” Stachurska said. On average, the horses stayed in the sun as much as in the shade, but individually they showed clear inclinations for one or the other.
Summer heat can be really dangerous to horses, especially if they are unfit or over exercise. Horses suffering from hyperthermia (an abnormally high body temperature) can quickly become dehydrated, lethargic and weak. Severe heat stress can cause colic, diarrhoea or collapse, so it is important to keep your horse cool.
It is important owners take precautions to avoid their horses getting heatstroke as the severest cases can be fatal. Heatstroke occurs when the horse's internal body temperature becomes too high and can, in the severest cases, be fatal particularly if the horse is dehydrated or lacking electrolytes.
Providing shelter for your horse
In the absence of wind and moisture, horses tolerate temperatures at or slightly below 0° F. If horses have access to a shelter, they can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° F. But horses are most comfortable at temperatures between 18° and 59° F, depending on their hair coat.
The summer can mean lots of opportunities for you and your horse to enjoy the warmer weather. However, as with other animals, horses are prone to dehydration and can suffer from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially as they're usually outside in the sun.
When out in a paddock, horses must be able to take shelter from the sun, wind and extreme temperatures. They must also have dry areas to stand and lie down on, as living in cold, wet or muddy conditions can make them uncomfortable or ill.
Apply sunscreen to the muzzle and any white markings on your horse. Use a high-SPF sunscreen and remember that it requires fairly frequent reapplication for complete coverage. Products containing zinc often hold up the best; think of the zinc oxide that lifeguards use. Don't be stingy—put on a thick layer.
A horse that is too hot will suffer from fatigue; they'll respond slow and seem sleepy. This typically tends to happen to humans when we get too hot, so make sure that you can recognize these signs in your horse as well.
In horses that appear healthy otherwise, there's no such thing as a temperature that's too low. Readings above 101.5 degrees, on the other hand, are cause for concern.
Protection from sun glare, however, is as important for horses as it is for humans, because horses with little or no pigment in the skin around their eyes can suffer from squinting, watery eyes, sunburn, cataracts, and even cancer.
When staying in the sun or under the mist curtain, the horses showed higher levels of relaxation compared to the shaded areas. Perhaps the horses which displayed a higher ability of thermoregulation in the sun remained there, while those who felt discomfort in the sun more often used the shade.
The answer depends upon the horse and the length of time that they will be in the rain. Some horses are more susceptible to the health problems that rain can cause, while others might be comfortable in it and prefer staying out as opposed to being placed in a stall.
They're best left out in the open where they can run around, socialise with their herd, and graze and forage in the field.” It's certainly true that horses are happiest when they're free to move.
Synoviums vets recommend that just like us, horses need to take periodic breaks from work. A break can mean a day off, or weeks off and allows the horse to physically rest, emotionally decompress, and gives them a chance to mentally process. During this time, your horse will 'reset' his entire body.
“Regular exercise is vital to help well-being with stabled horses. If they are on high levels of feed and stabled for lengthy periods of time, some horses can also be more susceptible to tying up and muscle disorders. Similarly, horses with ongoing osteoarthritis will stiffen up if confined to their boxes.
If you have the facilities, stabling horses through the hottest parts of the day, providing their stable remains cool, is an option to consider. However, inadequately ventilated stables can become uncomfortably hot and stuffy and your horse's management must be changed gradually to reduce the risk of colic.
Sometimes your horse's pupil looks bluish-grey. What you're seeing is the tapetum lucidum, a structure that reflects light back through the photoreceptor layer of the eye so that the horse has a high sensitivity to light, especially light reflecting off of the ground.
Technically, horses should be better off in cold temperatures because of their size, but they do well in the heat because they have an incredible capacity to sweat. No other animal can sweat more than a horse.
Plenty of horses seem to enjoy being ridden and are fond of the attention they get from their riders. However, there are definitely horses out there who do not like it. They'll be more stubborn while you're on and maybe agitated while being tacked up. Though, riding does benefit the horse.
Feet and Legs
The horse's feet and lower legs are designed to handle cold without freezing and without chilling the rest of the body. Therefore, a horse can stand in deep snow and not suffer frostbite.
Mare cycles generally last 21 days with them expressing signs of heat for 4-7 days. Estrus is expressed outwardly by; raising the tail, frequent urination, “winking” or eversion of the vulva, squealing, and posturing which entails widening the back legs while rounding the hind quarters.