The 7-Step Summertime Routine

On the hottest days where sweat is inevitable, my horses and I have an intensive routine we fully rely on. (Believe me: this takes quite a bit of heat to have to do this routine since I currently have warm-weather ponies. I swear, they get cold when it’s 50 degrees outside!)

Our "7-Step Summertime Routine" all started years ago when my dear older gelding (who has now left us), transitioned from his winter wooly mammoth look to a sleek, shiny guy. We were able to get his coat shed out and under control during this time, but he still had a very low heat tolerance, and his luxurious locks would make him sweat buckets. I had to come up with a solution that would keep him comfortable, which has become a staple on the hottest days!

Step 1: Hosing

For my crew, this is not bath time, it’s “let’s get the dirt and sweat off” time. The goal is to get enough cool water all over the body, ensuring it runs clean and clear before turning the hose off. I want to get their cores cooled down before moving onto the next step. Bath time can come on another day!

Step 2: Sweat Scraping (aka getting all the excess water off)

Essential with the hottest days: I don’t want to keep water trapped on my ponies like a wetsuit. I seek to get as much as I can off with a sweat scraper, then move onto the next step. Thankfully, you will be able to easily tell how warm your horse is by touching their skin: if the water on their skin is hot, you will want to go back to hosing until skin is cooler.

Step 3: Grazing in the Shade

With the sun’s rays beating down, I want to ensure any grazing is done in the shade while water is still covering my ponies. Depending upon the insect situation, I sometimes save this step for last.

Step 4: Standing Under a Fan

We are very fortunate to have an aisle fan that can help dry off excess moisture. I cross tie a little further away from the fan, so we can still have the air movement, but not enough to make the next step difficult.

Step 5: Braiding Manes

While braiding manes may not be the best course of action based upon your situation (ie: if there is a safety concern with having a braided mane), it has been an essential step for us. I don’t take a lot of time to make the braid neat or too clean, but I at least run up the mane, so it leaves space for the neck to receive airflow.

Step 6: Fly Spray & Gear

I would love to make this step 1 or 2, but I first want to have a comfortable, dry horse before getting to this step. My go-to fly sprays are a rotation between UltraShield® Green, Fly Bye Plus®, and UltraShield EX.

Then comes the SmartPak Comfort Fly Mask. Even though I prefer the highest UV rating I can find for most summer days, these save the day during the hottest spells. It’s truly amazing how they ward away insects, but still keep everyone cool and comfortable.

Step 7: Giving Electrolytes

And lastly, but definitely not least, is Gallagher’s Water: it’s a hit with my crew! I have a separate bucket I fill with water, then add a packet of Gallagher’s Water, stir, and serve. I typically either give the whole serving if warranted or split it between 2-3 horses, providing they all have been drinking enough and aren’t fully sweating out. I personally prefer not to mix electrolytes with their daily water buckets, but you need to do what is best for your horse! (Note: if you like to go this route, it is recommended that your horse has access to at least one other bucket that has nothing but water.)

I’d love to hear if you have any favorite ways of keeping cool, that last heatwave was brutal!

PS: stay tuned for Part 2 for a whole list of Summertime Solutions!