Warm weather & heavy breathing

[mydogs]

My horse is older and has a harder time adjusting to the warmer weather for riding. When it is over 80* and/or high humidity, his breathing will increase by just walking around the ring (covered).

I am working with my vet for other reasons that are related, but would like to hear what other people do to help their horses cope with the heat.

He is stalled during the day with a fan (we haven’t switched to night turn out yet but will soon).
I finally found a water flavorer that he likes, so I let him drink a little bit before, during, and after rides.
Lots of breaks (both walking and standing).
I check his temperature before and after rides.
I check his heart rate before, during, and after rides.

[Sansena]

What is his temperature after a typical ride? What do you do to help him regulate his temperature?

Malt beer in the grain twice daily helps. Cooling showers after exertion is vital as well.
Your vet can give you more information on these, depending upon the symptoms.

If it’s “just” respiratory, the beer and showers won’t address the underlying cause. Your horse may have a case of COPD, in which case it needs to be addressed with medication and good management.

[Amy3996]

A rule of thumb my vet gave me is this: if you add the temperature and the humidity, and it’s more than 150, it’s probably too hot to ride. So 80 degrees and 75% humidity - probably too hot.

I top dress my horse’s feed with loose sea salt year-round (1 tablespoon in his grain AM and PM). If it’s going to be really hot or humid, I’ll feed an electrolyte powder as well. My primary concern in really hot/humid weather is maintaining hydration. I agree with the suggestion to rinse after riding. Sometimes I’ll even hose my horse down if he comes in from turnout really sweaty. The fan is good too.

You mentioned night turnout - that would probably be a good idea, to give him some respite from the sun and heat during the day. Have you tried riding early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s cooler, to see if that helps his breathing?

[hopper20]

My horse had this issue for the first time last year, and the only thing that really helped was for the weather to turn cooler. I will say he also has sweating issues in hot weather (though the breathing problem only showed up last year) and what helps the most are electrolytes. Also, for the barn manager to wait and do turnout closer to six rather than 4:30.

[mydogs]

I’m working with several vets in regards to this and other issues. Unfortunately, it isn’t the easiest case for other reasons.

He gets a bath both before and after rides, depending on what’s needed.