There are MANY non-sugar electrolytes to help you hydrate! I used to always get migraines and feel crummy doing summer trail rides at altitude while trying to stay hydrated - mostly water (which I was told flushes your system of essential minerals). Did some online research and found a couple well-regarded, reasonably priced powder electrolytes that can be added to my water bottle that I like. I like Stur. No mineral aftertaste or super sweet yuck. It is non-GMO, no artificial sweeteners, colors, etc. I know there are many others as well.
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Switched to riding before work, so I’m tacked up and on about 6AM. Helps that the horses are finally in the back yard, so no drive to the barn. Alternate drinking water and Propel when I have to be out in the heat all day. I picked up a couple ventilated runners tank tops on clearance a couple years ago that are my go-to for super hot days - the backs of them are perforated, and they are definitely cooler.
I’m not tolerating the heat/humidity as well this year either. One of my issues is I sometimes workout before going to the barn - then I will heat back up really fast!
I’ve been drinking electrolytes (Drip Drop brand) more frequently than previous years and if I start drinking them well before I ride, that seems to help the overall not feeling good and definitely helps prevent a headache.
I always ride in sunshirts to protect my skin - Kastel are the lightest I’ve found and I will pick a light color on hot days.
I tack up in the stall with the stall fans on, which helps both the horse and me.
I don’t ride as hard anymore when it’s really hot or humid, but I have had to do soft tissue rehab rides during the summer. I’d bring a bucket of water with some rubbing alcohol and a sponge and squeeze that over the neck, chest, and haunches during breaks. I’d take breaks just standing still in the shade. And when it was really hot and we were doing 30 minutes of trot and 20 minutes of canter broken into sets, I’d hose before the ride, get off and hose once during the ride with tack still on (cold hose until the horse’s breathing slowed), and then would hose before and after pulling tack off.
I survived an hour trail ride this morning. Survived being the key word here… it poured rain from 6am to 8 am. I rode from 9am to 10:20am.
I cold hosed myself (head, shoulders and arms) before getting on my horse. Stuck an ice pack in my bra. Packed 4 containers on my horse 1 water for me to drink, 1 electrolyte drink, and 2 bottles for dumping on me or the horse. I will keep dumping ice water on myself anytime I start feeling hot.
At home I have a water trough just for me to get in and cool off.
The heat is tough. There are many days I will skip riding or just ride for 20 minutes.
I wouldn’t have ridden today except my friend invited me. Otherwise I would have skipped because of the heat. We were the only ones at the park.
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Thought I had posted in this thread already I guess I imagined it!
I bought a two pack of the ice neck rings to try out ($10 for both off temu). If I remember, I will be bringing them to the barn to try today. I will say that I had them in the freezer and set them on the counter inside a soft cooler last night but they were still frozen this morning so that seems like a good sign?
Electrolytes are a must. I seem to have some sort of issue with either retaining electrolytes or a severe heat intolerance (or both? DR says 
) and taking in electrolytes is a must even in normal weather. We’ve had a ton of heat advisories this year which doesn’t help. I use Hi Lite electrolyte pills and Gatorlytes drink mixes. The Gatorlytes are similar to Pedialyte but taste better (they are low sugar and higher in electrolytes than all other electrolyte mixes I have seen which means I have to have less since it’s concentrated). On a hot and humid day where I am running and riding I will have 2-3 of the gatorlytes (or 2 hi lyte pills in place of 1 gatorlyte). Being mindful of what and when I eat in relation to when I will be outside exerting myself is important too. No dairy for several hours before going outside and ideally not eating anything for about 2 hours prior. If I eat too close to being outside and doing things I feel worse faster. Forcing myself to drink way more water than I want to helps too.
I discovered Liquid IV this year. I bought a box of about 40 little packets at Sam’s. It’s supposed to be one packet in a bottle of water but that was too much for me, tasted yuk , so I use a packet for two bottles. Not sure if it’s doing anything but I feel less dehydrated at least. Still being braised in my own sweat on the daily but nice and hydrated lol
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This stuff is expensive, but dang does it work. Agreed that it’s really yucky. But I can feel myself revving back up when I’m feeling smooshed flat by the heat. It’s good stuff.
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Cirkul makes a water bottle with an electrolyte insert that taste better than Liquid IV, you can adjust the flavor to your liking.
I used to love Liquid IV but over heated and puked it up. Can’t drink it ever since.
Yeah I did that once with peppermint schnapps lol
Hmm DH has a cirkul. May need to check they out.
It’s not so bad at half dose
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Liquid IV has a white peach flavor thats actually really good, it’s much more subtle and refreshing than their usual ones.
My favorite electrolytes are LMNT, they’re the best for intense heat or harder workouts I usually put those in at least a 24oz water bottle to get the right flavor. For a lighter workout day or if I want something that tastes good in a standard 12oz bottle I like the SOS brand.
