Summer Horse Care: Keeping Your Horse Comfortable in Hot Weather
There’s something really special about summer hacking. Early morning rides before the day warms up, long lazy wanders in the sunshine, or catching up with friends out on the bridle paths, it’s why many of us have horses in the first place.
But warmer weather brings extra challenges. From managing heat and hydration to protecting your horse from flies and caring for hooves on hard ground, a good summer horse care routine helps keep your horse comfortable, healthy and ready to enjoy every ride.
Riding on Hard Ground in Summer:
What You Need to Know
After a dry spell, it can feel like the ground turns solid overnight. It’s one of the biggest concerns for riders in summer, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop hacking altogether.
Think of hard ground in the same way as roadwork. It can actually have some benefits when used correctly, particularly for bone strength and overall conditioning, but the key is how you use it.
For everyday riders, a few simple rules make a big difference:
- Stick mainly to walk on harder ground
- Keep trots short and steady
- Avoid cantering or fast work on baked or uneven surfaces
- Watch out for ruts, dips, and uneven patches
Mixing up your routes is one of the easiest ways to keep things safe and interesting. A combination of lanes, tracks, grassy verges, and softer paths gives your horse a variety of surfaces, which is great for their body and their brain.
And don’t forget, hacking isn’t just about fitness, it can just be about enjoying time together, a relaxed walk can be just as valuable as building fitness.
Staying Safe While You Hack
Before heading out, it’s also worth thinking about a few simple safety essentials, a little preparation helps keep things safe and stress-free, especially on roads or quieter routes.
If your ride includes roads, it’s worth being familiar with the Highway Code and riding confidently around traffic. Wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate, and high-visibility clothing can also make a big difference, along with boots you can walk in if needed.
Carrying a mobile phone is always sensible, and apps like what3words can help pinpoint your location in an emergency. As signal can be unreliable in rural areas, it’s also a good idea to let someone know your route and expected return time.
Simple skills like teaching your horse to stand quietly and practising opening gates safely can make hacking feel much easier and more enjoyable.
Being prepared means you can relax and enjoy the ride, knowing you’ve got things covered.
Flies: The Ultimate Summer Mood Killer
If there’s one thing that can ruin a relaxing hack, it’s flies. Head tossing and tail swishing can quickly turn a calm ride into a frustrating one for both of you.
Flies aren’t just annoying either. They can cause irritation, skin reactions, and make horses tense or distracted, especially if they’re sensitive.
A good routine can make all the difference:
- Using a reliable fly repellent for horses such as NAF Off Extra Effect before you ride can help keep your horse comfortable and focused.
- Pay attention to key areas like the belly, chest, and between the legs
- Avoid riding at dawn and dusk when midges are most active
Keeping your horse clean also helps more than you might think, flies are attracted to sweat, dirt, and stable stains, so a quick groom can go a long way.
Looking for ways to make summer rides more comfortable? Explore our range of horse fly repellent products designed to help keep your horse settled during warmer weather.
Horse Hydration and Electrolytes in Hot Weather
Even a quiet hack can lead to sweat loss, especially on warmer days. And while it might not always look like much, horses can lose a surprising amount of fluid when sweating and with it, important electrolytes.
Early signs to watch for include:
- A damp saddle patch or neck
- Increased breathing
- Slight loss of energy or focus
Once your horse is sweating, they’re losing more than just water. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are essential for muscle function and recovery.
To support them:
- Always ensure plenty of fresh, clean water is available
- Feed electrolytes in a wet mash or soaked feed after exercise if sweating has occurred
- Consider adding electrolytes before longer hacks or travel
It’s also worth remembering that hydration plays a big role in overall comfort, a well-hydrated horse is far more likely to feel relaxed and ready to enjoy their work.
Post-Ride Care: Cool, Clean & Comfortable
After a summer ride, a proper cool-down routine can make all the difference to how your horse feels afterwards.
Hosing isn’t always practical, especially if you’re short on time or facilities which is where no-rinse washes come into their own.
- NAF Cooling Wash is ideal after hotter rides, helping to cool and refresh
- NAF Lavender Wash is perfect for a gentle clean and a more relaxing finish
Simply add a couple of capfuls to a bucket of water, wipe over, and you’re done, no rinsing required. It’s quick, easy, and your horse will feel instantly more comfortable.
Not only does this help remove sweat (which attracts flies), but it also supports the skin and coat, keeping everything healthy through the warmer months.
Supporting Your Horse From the Inside Out
Summer riding isn’t just about what happens during your hack, it’s about supporting your horse overall, so they feel their best every day.
For many horses, a few simple additions can really help:
- Joint support supplements such as NAF Superflex can help maintain comfortable movement, especially when horses are working on firmer summer ground.
- A consistent horse hoof care routine using products such as NAF PROFEET Farrier Solution can help maintain strong, healthy hooves throughout the summer months.
- Consistency in feeding and routine to support overall wellbeing
These small, consistent habits can make a big difference over time, especially when the ground is firm and conditions are more demanding.
Don’t Forget the Mental Side
One of the biggest benefits of hacking is what it does for your horse mentally. Getting out of the arena, seeing new things, and exploring different routes keeps them engaged and relaxed.
Even if you’re scaling things back due to the ground or heat, you’re still providing:
- Variety
- Gentle movement
- Time to unwind
And let’s be honest, it’s just as important for us too.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun
Enjoy Safe and Happy Summer Hacking
Summer hacking doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about enjoying the time you have with your horse, whether that’s a quiet solo ride, a catch-up hack with friends, or a gentle wander in the sunshine.
Listen to your horse, work with the conditions, and don’t feel pressured to do more than is comfortable. A shorter, relaxed ride is always better than pushing on when things aren’t quite right.
Because at the end of the day, those easy, happy rides are what summer is all about.
