Summer Horse Care: Heat and Insect Protection Essentials

Summer Horse Care: Heat and Insect Protection Essentials

Summer brings longer days, more riding opportunities, and warmer temperatures, but it also presents challenges such as heat stress, dehydration, and relentless insects. To keep your horse comfortable and healthy, it’s essential to provide proper protection from the sun, heat, and pests. Here are the must-have products for summer horse care.

Keeping Your Horse Cool and Hydrated

Horses can easily overheat in the summer, so ensuring they stay cool and hydrated is a top priority. Consider these essential products:

• Fly Sheets – Lightweight and breathable fly sheets offer UV protection and shield your horse from biting insects.

• Electrolyte Supplements – Helps replenish essential minerals lost through sweat, preventing dehydration.

• Automatic Waterers – Provides a continuous source of fresh water, encouraging hydration throughout the day.

• Cooling Towels and Fans – Great for post-ride cooldowns and maintaining a comfortable stable environment.

• Shade Solutions – Access to shade, whether from trees or portable shelters, is crucial for reducing heat stress.

Insect Protection: Defense Against Biting Pests

Insects can make summer uncomfortable for horses, leading to itching, infections, and stress. Protect your horse with these insect-fighting essentials:

• Fly Masks – Shields sensitive areas such as the eyes and ears from flies and sun exposure. Choose UV-blocking options for extra protection.

• Fly Sprays and Repellents – Use natural or chemical-based sprays to keep mosquitoes, flies, and gnats at bay.

• Fly Boots – Prevent irritation and stomping caused by biting insects around the legs.

• Manure Management – Regularly clean stalls and pastures to minimize fly breeding grounds.

Hoof and Coat Care for Dry Conditions

Hot and dry weather can lead to cracked hooves and a dull coat. Maintain your horse’s health with these summer essentials:

• Hoof Conditioners – Moisturizing treatments prevent hooves from becoming brittle and cracked.

• Sunscreen for Horses – Protects pink skin and white markings from sunburn.

• Coat Conditioners and Hydrating Sprays – Keeps the coat soft and healthy despite sun exposure.

Additional Summer Care Tips

• Ride during cooler hours – Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to exercise your horse.

• Provide salt blocks – Encourages water consumption and replaces lost minerals.

• Monitor for signs of heat stress – Watch for excessive sweating, lethargy, and rapid breathing, and cool your horse down immediately if needed.

With the right summer horse care products, you can keep your horse happy, hydrated, and comfortable all season long. Shop Kensington Products for high-quality fly protection, hydration solutions, and summer horse care essentials!