Wear a cooler or a quarter sheet on your horse for the first 5 to 10 minutes of warm-up and again at the end during the cool-down until his respiration rate is back to normal. This will help to keep his muscles warm and less likely to tighten. If your horse has a long coat, consider body clipping him.

The best way to cool down an overheated horse is to:

1. Get them into the shade (remove them from radiant heat gain)
2. Let them drink tepid water – add electrolytes or Gatorade (hydration)
3. Cold water baths (conductive heat loss) starting with feet/legs.
4. Get a breeze going – fans/air movement (convective heat loss)

If you suspect that your horse may be suffering from heat stroke, allow him to rest in a cool stable, poor cool water over his back and offer small amounts of water every few minutes. If symptoms persist contact your vet.

Too hot to handle If his core temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, his metabolic system will be affected, and if it goes to 105 degrees or higher, his organs and circulatory system may begin to shut down.

A horse that is too hot might demonstrate the following symptoms.

1. Continuous rapid breathing.
2. Unwillingness to move.
3. Weak or sluggish movements.
4. Disinterest in the environment.
5. Skin that does not retake its form quickly after a pinch test.
6. Discolored gums.
7. High heart rate.
8. Body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

In periods of really intense heat, even the temperature during the evening has been hot so if you do need to ride try and pick the coolest time of day to do so. After riding make sure your horse is properly cooled down and ideally hosed off or sponged down to remove sweat and aid the cooling process.

Dr. Angie Yates of Yates Equine Veterinary Services in Indianapolis, IN, noted that she does not recommend trotting, cantering or jumping when temps are below 20 degrees F. A few considerations to take into account when riding in the cold: Frozen, icy ground is too hard on equine feet and legs for heavy work.

Generally, a horse doesn’t need to wear a fly mask at night. If your horse has an eye condition and has been advised by a vet to wear a fly mask overnight, Field Relief fly masks can be left on 24/7. Note, whilst fly masks allow for clear visibility during the day, they may impair your horse’s night vision.

You can leave the masks on when raining and cloudy. If your horse is in a small-ish enclosed area (not a large open pasture) you can leave the mask on all night…..

Horses can be ridden wearing fly masks if it doesn’t obscure your animals vision. Before riding a horse with a fly mask, ensure it doesn’t interfere with your horses’ bit or reins and allows adequate viewing. Most horse owners buy fly masks for their horses without thinking about riding with them on.

The 15 Best Masks for Travel are:

• Everlane 100% Human Face Mask.
• Zubrex Disposable Face Mask.
• CONICOMasks Face Mask for Glasses Wearers.
• Proted Kids Face Shield.
• Kenny Flowers Non-Medical Lifestyle Mask.
• Dr. Talbot’s Disposable Kid’s Face Mask.
• VIDA Protective Mask. Buy here.
• CASETiFY Reusable Cloth Mask. Buy here.

A fly mask is a piece of gear used on horses heads to cover the eyes, jaw, and sometimes the ears and muzzle to protect them from flies and other biting insects. Fly masks can come with or without ear covers to protect the inside of the ears from biting insects.

A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the “bridle” includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit.

Flies are attracted to horses’ eyes for the moisture and protein. Fly activity may contribute to eye infections in horses, as well as, being an irritant. Some roll-ons can also be used inside your horse’s ears to repel gnats that feed there.