Nc/sc southeast Summer showing under Heat advisory

[albytb]

I had an opportunity to move to either NC/SC for work… and although I used to live/ride in Georgia during college, I just can’t imagine being able to tolerate the heat well enough to ride/show in the summer again. I’ve become very sensitive to heat/humidity in the last few years, and I’m possibly the sweatiest person alive as well. I’ve had a couple fainting spells due to heat exhaustion.

It does get hot here in IL, but most of the year isn’t bad. Decent horse country all things considered so I’ll remain for now…

[cardinale]

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature

[LazyA1]

Fallling on deaf ears I’m afraid (the climate change info).

I live in Texas, and riding after 11 am or so is out the question. I just built a new arena (100 x 180) that I want to cover. Not for rain or cold, but just for shade. I wonder if arenas covered in a gazebo-like style (slatted instead of completely covered) could be done more cheaply than completely covered?

[nutmeg]

I recall seeing a Bloomberg story recently that said despite the current admin’s desire to eliminate weather coverage and any mention of “climate change,” big tech firms pushed back because they want to know how much it’s going to cost them to cool their data centers. Shakin’ my damn head. To keep it horse related, that Cassina of Georgina’s is a fabulous mare.

[kaya842]

What about a shade sail type covering? Wouldn’t keep all of the rain out but I feel like they are more breathable than a roof of any sort. Not sure how big they can be or how they hold up (I know theme parks use them but not sure how often they are replaced).

[cardinale]

This is definitely DIY-style but looks as though this guy just put a bunch of shade cloth over his small arena:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PkBZh58kPc

[Annie10]

Maybe in Ocala but there is a lot more to FL than Ocala. Lots of people stay for financial reasons, as others said , like maintaining two residences becoming more financially prohibitive. Plus not all horse people in FL show and out of those who do the number who can afford to show at WEC is definitely the minority

[enjoytheride]

I am only answering why WEC Ocala is building a new indoor, it is related to a sustained population wanting to show year round there, and is not related to climate change. I am not arguing anything else regarding climate change or its existence, or the rest of the state of Florida, or other people who do not show.

[Amberley]

@nutmeg

big tech firms pushed back because they want to know how much it’s going to cost them to cool their data centers

I worked on a project related to moving data centers north back in the 90s. They weren’t even called data centers at the time but the firms knew they would have to move eventually.

[DiamondJubilee]

It seems to be a heat wave everywhere now. In Ontario we had several days in a row at 35C feeling like 42C (high 90’s feeling like 110F) and I didn’t even ride for those days even though I had a show coming up a few days later. I just thought I could ride around at the show when I got there since the weather would be in the 80’s instead- much more reasonable if you ask me.

Luckily the heat broke a bit for the beginning of the show but it went back up to to 100’sF again near the end of the 4 day show. On the last day I had a class at 8am and the derby at 3pm but decided to scratch the derby as my pony was showing signs of heat stress as he had enough. So I just cold hosed him (he had a temp of 100.6 so not horrible, but he was hot for sure) and removed his braids so he could stand in front of his fan until we packed up to go home. Sucks to miss a class (especially my favourite class!) but there’s always another show! I hate the heat and I can’t imagine how they feel…I don’t know how people can live with this heat for more than a few days in a row. With my work schedule, I’m unable to ride in the mornings through the week (I’m up at 4am to be at work for 5:30, and when I get home I have to muck stalls etc and have very little left in my tank to ride at 7pm since I’m about ready to get to bed to be up for 4am again…).

So our show still went on and lessons were still going on when it was 110F, which was quite surprising to me, especially when we are not used to such extreme heat. But some chase points and its all that matters to them. Hey I like points and year end and qualifying for our year end championship show, but I just can’t do the heat.

P.S. Pony was totally fine and was happy to be turned out for a few hours with his buddies when I got home. He pooped, ate and drank like normal and came inside to a fan overnight. Luckily our heat is much better right now.

[poltroon]

@kaya842

What about a shade sail type covering? Wouldn’t keep all of the rain out but I feel like they are more breathable than a roof of any sort. Not sure how big they can be or how they hold up (I know theme parks use them but not sure how often they are replaced).

At our local fairgrounds they use a lot of shade cloth now both between buildings and on the west side of the covered arenas. This seems like a pretty interesting idea, though at arena sizes it may be that by the time you get enough structure to handle the weight of that amount of shade cloth you might as well build a steel cover and get the winter benefits too, plus lower maintenance.

Shade helps dramatically so well worth thinking about.

[kaya842]

Totally get what you mean WRT the steel roof but have always felt a metal roof (even if not an indoor with walls) is hotter than “regular” shade.

[LazyA1]

These comments are so helpful (about shading an arena). I’m still in the planning stage. Maybe I’ll consider the eracting the columns and roof structure and everything but the metal panels on the roof. Even beams might give some helpful shade. Someone needs to come up with a design. Maybe pergola type cover.

It’s a private barn and I don’t care about rain – rainy days let me get other work done and gives the horses a break

[anotherera]

There’s a whole world of difference between showing in California in 90+° temps and in the South. The humidity is horrendous here in Georgia, and there’s a reason why the Florida shows are all in the winter. Basically, you get your barn chores done before 10am, and the rest of the day you stay in AC spaces. It’s 3 months of misery.

[poltroon]

@kaya842

Totally get what you mean WRT the steel roof but have always felt a metal roof (even if not an indoor with walls) is hotter than “regular” shade.

No question that trees are the coolest shade - between the way that they filter the light and heat, and also are wet, they make an amazing difference.

The metal roof still helps a lot, and especially if it is high and without walls. It’s worth noting that the color of the roof matters, and if you’re really fancy, insulation will help too. Getting the air to circulate and cool the roof makes a huge difference.

If you are putting up a covered arena with a metal roof, consider solar panels too. Generates power, and siphons off some of the energy that would have been heat to do so.

[Ahorseofcourse_NC]

The heat is SO different with the humidity. I used to call it soupy, but it’s more like stewy or chilli! It’s so thick to cut through. Normal things like currying my huge horse will make me break out into a sweat before I even ride.

And don’t even get me started on the fungus

[ParadoxFarm]

The big venue near me just cancelled a big show. Brownland Farm normally has 400 entries, but this one only had 150, so they cancelled it. I wonder if it is heat related.

[mroades]

That cancellation was due to Junior Hunter Finals being held in Kentucky this year instead of Travers City

[ParadoxFarm]

Ah, okay, thanks.