Senior horse care in the summer is important. As summer heat and humidity approach, it’s crucial to adapt the care routines for our equine friends, particularly the seniors. The heat can pose a range of challenges for older horses, donkeys, and mules. But, with careful planning and management, we can ensure their comfort, health, and well-being.  

Here are 10 essential summer care tips for senior horses. 

1. Hydration Is Key for Senior Horses in Summer 

Dehydration is more common in the summertime due to extreme heat and humidity. Remember, it is harder for a horse to sweat and dissipate heat when it is humid as well as hot.  

The University of Minnesota offers a chart showing how air temperature and relative humidity affect horse cooling:1 

Air Temperature + Relative Humidity (%)        Horse Cooling Efficiency 

Less than 130°Fahrenheit (54.444°Celsius)        Most effective 

130-150°F (54.444-65.556°C)        Decreased 

Greater than 150°F (65.556°C)                   Greatly reduced 

Greater than 180°F (82.222°C)        Condition can be fatal if horse is stressed 

Dehydration occurs when a horse loses more fluid than it’s consuming. Fluids are critical in maintaining vital bodily functions. Active or competitive senior horses in summer are particularly at risk due to increased sweat loss during exercise, and transportation.  

Causes of dehydration can include inadequate water intake, excessive sweating, or underlying health conditions that affect fluid balance.  

Clinical signs to watch for are dry mucous membranes, a prolonged capillary refill time, increased heart rate, lethargy, and in severe cases, colic.  

The pinch test, where a pinch of skin on the horse’s shoulder is released and the time it takes to flatten out is observed, can also be an indicator. Slow skin recoil suggests dehydration. 

It’s essential to monitor these clinical signs and proactively manage your senior horse’s hydration, particularly during summer activities. 

Always provide unlimited access to clean, cool water (45-64°F or 7.2-17.8°C). Regularly check the water sources to ensure they are clean, and refill them as needed.  

To prevent dehydration in senior horses during summer, encourage regular water intake. Here are some effective strategies: 

  • Flavor the water. Adding a bit of apple juice or an equine electrolyte supplement can entice horses to drink more. Be consistent with the flavor to avoid causing suspicion or rejection. 
  • Provide multiple water sources. Position water buckets or troughs in various areas, giving your horse options and ensuring they don’t have to travel far to drink, especially when grazing. 
  • Soak their feed. Wetting down hay or making a mash with feed pellets can increase water consumption. 
  • Fresh and clean is best. Frequent checks and cleaning of water containers will help maintain freshness and encourage drinking. 
  • Provide access to salt. Salt blocks or loose salt can stimulate thirst and prompt your horse to drink water more regularly. 
  • Monitor water temperature. Water that’s too hot or too cold can be off-putting. Aim to keep the water temperature comfortable—around 45-64°F or 7.2-17.8°C, as mentioned earlier. 
  • Create a morning routine for your senior horse that includes consistent watering times. By establishing a set schedule for watering, you can help instill a healthy habit of drinking regularly.
  • Check for dental problems. Poor dental health can make drinking uncomfortable. Regular dental check-ups are important, especially for senior horses. 
  • Introduce new water sources gradually. When traveling, slowly acclimate your horse to the local water by mixing in bottled water or water brought from home to prevent refusal. 
  • Recognize the signs. Learn to recognize the regular drinking habits of your horse, donkey, or mule and the signs of decreased water intake so you can intervene promptly if those habits change. 

2. Optimal Nutrition for Senior Horses in Summer 

Feed your older horse a high-quality diet in summer that caters to its age and health conditions. Also, place forage and water sources in locations covered by shade or shelter to encourage your horse to spend time in cooler areas. 

In the heat of summer, senior horses might experience a decrease in appetite, which can be a concern for maintaining proper nutrition. To tackle this, it’s crucial to adjust their feeding regimens to make feed more appealing and easier to digest. Consider the following strategies: 

  • Offer smaller, more frequent meals. Large meals can increase internal heat during digestion, so smaller portions can help prevent overheating. 
  • Provide high-quality forage. Prioritize forage for seniors in the summer by using a source with high nutritional value that is easier to chew and digest. These could include chopped hay, hay cubes, or hay pellets (fed dry or soaked). Chopped hay and soaked hay cubes and pellets are especially useful for seniors with dental issues to aid in chewing and digestion. They also add water to the diet.  
  • Feed at cooler times. Feed your horses during the cooler parts of the day—early morning or late evening—when they are more likely to have an appetite. 
  • Include electrolytes. Add a balanced electrolyte supplement to support proper hydration and compensate for minerals lost through sweat. This is especially important for active seniors. 
  • Use appetite stimulants when necessary. Consult with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist about using natural appetite stimulants or probiotics, which can help encourage eating. 
  • Consider palatable additives. Mix in favored flavors or feed enhancers such as molasses, apple sauce, or carrots to make meals more enticing. However, beware of using items high in carbohydrates if you have a senior with metabolic issues. 
  • Monitor body condition. Keep a close eye on your horse’s body condition and weight. If a senior horse refuses to eat enough in hot, humid conditions despite these measures, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to identify possible underlying health issues or to adjust the animal’s diet for optimal nutrient absorption. 

3. Regular Exercise 

Don’t let the hot weather deter you from providing your senior horse with regular exercise. Promote gentle movement, even if it’s a daily walk or light riding during the cooler parts of the day. 

However, when planning a typical exercise program for a senior horse in hot and humid weather, one must proceed with a heightened sense of care and caution. Such a program should prioritize the horse’s comfort and safety while aiming to maintain fitness without causing undue stress.  

Consider the following components: 

  • Early morning workouts. Conduct exercise sessions during the early morning hours when temperatures are generally cooler. 
  • Light workouts. Limit the intensity and duration of workouts. Activities such as leisurely walks, light trotting, or even simple ground exercises can suffice. 
  • Adequate warm-up and cool-down. A proper warm-up and gradual cool-down period become increasingly important as a horse gets older to avoid muscle strain and to regulate body temperature effectively. 
  • Frequent breaks. Allow for frequent breaks and provide access to water during exercise to prevent overheating and dehydration. 
  • Shaded arenas. If possible, utilize shaded areas for riding to protect the horse from direct sunlight. 
  • Close attention. Stay attuned to your horse for signs of fatigue or overheating and be ready to end the exercise if necessary. 

It’s imperative to tailor an exercise routine to each individual horse’s needs and to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate level of activity based on the animal’s health status and abilities. 

4. Adequate Senior Horse Shelter in Summer

Provide adequate shelter to protect your senior horse from direct sun. This could be tree shade, a specially designed shade structure, a well-ventilated barn, or a run-in shed. 

Providing relief from the heat is paramount for senior horses, as they can be more vulnerable to heat stress. The temperature at which a horse can begin to suffer from heat-related issues can vary depending on humidity levels, the horse’s hydration status, and its overall health. Generally, the combined temperature and humidity should not exceed 130-150°F (54.444-65.556°C), as noted in the chart above. When the sum exceeds this threshold, horses are at a heightened risk for heat stress. 

Recognizing the clinical signs of heat stroke in horses is essential for immediate intervention. These signs can include: 

  • Elevated heart rate that does not decrease with rest. If the heart rate remains high even after the horse stops exercising, it’s a sign of severe heat stress. 
  • High rectal temperature. A body temperature higher than 102°F (39°C) after a cool-down period is a warning sign. When body temperatures reach 105°F (40.5°C) or higher, that horse requires immediate intervention. 
  • Excessive sweating or lack of sweat. Both can be signs of heat stress. A horse that has stopped sweating is in a critical state known as anhidrosis. 
  • Rapid breathing. Breathing that doesn’t slow down after rest can indicate overheating. 
  • Lethargy. A noticeable lack of energy or a reluctance to move can be a sign that the heat is negatively impacting the horse. 
  • Muscle tremors. This can be a sign of electrolyte imbalances due to sweating. 
  • Collapse. This is a severe sign of heat stress and constitutes an emergency. 

It’s critical to take these signs seriously and to act quickly to cool down the horse. Immediate steps include moving the horse to a shaded area with good ventilation and using cool water over the body. 

If the horse’s condition does not improve swiftly, veterinary intervention is vital to prevent long-term damage or even death from heat stroke. 

5. Protection Against Flies 

If flies and mosquitoes are affecting your senior horse’s comfort in summer, you can use protective “clothing” such as a fly sheet, a fly mask with ear coverage, and/or fly boots. There also are many types of fly and mosquito repellents and insecticides that can safely be used on or around horses, mules, and donkeys. 

Protecting senior horses from flies and mosquitoes is not just a matter of comfort, but one of health. These pests can cause distress through biting wounds, disease transmission, infections, and allergic reactions. Some diseases transmitted by biting flies and mosquitoes can be debilitating or even fatal to horses, mules, and donkeys. 

Vector-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV), equine infectious anemia (EIA), and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) are transmitted primarily by mosquito bites and pose significant risks to equine health. These illnesses can manifest with a range of clinical signs from mild fevers to severe neurological issues. They can greatly diminish your horse’s quality of life and possibly result in extensive veterinary care.  

In some cases, there is no cure. Prevention through vaccination, controlling the insect population, and protecting the animals with clothing or insecticides is the most effective strategy for avoiding disease. 

A proactive approach not only preserves the well-being of the animal, but also minimizes the potential for spread of vector-borne diseases. This, in turn, safeguards the entire equine community. 

6. Monitor Regularly 

Observe your senior horse, mule, or donkey on a regular basis. Look for signs of distress, discomfort, or illness. Early detection can often lead to more successful treatment. 

The AAEP offers a list of items to check on your horse to ensure it is healthy.2 These include attitude, appetite, eyes and noses, weight and body condition, hair coat, vital signs, manure and urine, hydration, and legs and feet.  

Observing your horse on a regular basis means setting a consistent, daily schedule to check on your equid’s behavior, appearance, and environmental conditions. This often includes at least one look-see in the morning to evaluate overnight well-being and another in the evening to ensure the animal is comfortable prior to nighttime. Additional checks should be done pre- and post-exercise, and any time there is a significant weather change or a new health concern. 

Signs of distress, discomfort, or illness in horses, mules, and donkeys can manifest in various ways: 

  • Behavioral changes. Agitation, depression, or an unusual level of inactivity can indicate distress. 
  • Posture and movement. Lameness, reluctance to move, or an abnormal stance reflect discomfort or pain. 
  • Appetite and water consumption. Changes in eating or drinking habits can be early signs of health issues. 
  • Physical appearance. Signs such as a dull coat, weight loss or gain, or swelling could suggest illness. 
  • Vital signs. Elevated heart rate, temperature, or respiratory rate beyond normal resting values should alert you to medical problems. 
  • Bodily functions. Colic signs, changes in fecal output (diarrhea or constipation), or unusual urine color/smell are important indicators of distress. 
  • Eye and/or nose discharge. Excessive tearing or any nasal discharge can indicate potential illness. 
  • Skin and/or coat changes. The presence of rashes, lumps, sores, or itchy areas can be signs of skin conditions or parasites. 

Continuous monitoring facilitates early detection of potential health problems and allows for timely veterinary care. That is essential for the well-being and longevity of your horse, mule, or donkey. 

8. Regular Deworming 

Internal parasites thrive in rainy, hot conditions. Work with your veterinarian to create a parasite control plan to keep dangerous worms at bay. 

Internal parasites have complex life cycles that can pose serious health challenges for horses, donkeys, and mules. One of the most common parasites is the strongyle, which exists in two forms: large strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris) and small strongyles (cyathostomins). The life cycle begins when larvae are ingested through grazing, then develop into adult worms in the host. Large strongyles can migrate through blood vessels, causing significant damage to organs and potentially leading to colic. Small strongyles encyst in the gut wall and emerge later, potentially causing diarrhea and weight loss. 

  • Pasture management. Rotational grazing and removing feces from pastures can significantly lower the risk of transmission, as it disrupts the life cycle of the parasites. 
  • Targeted deworming. Work with a veterinarian to conduct fecal egg counts and tailor deworming treatments specifically to each animal’s load and exposure risk, as overuse of dewormers can lead to parasite resistance. 
  • Quarantine new arrivals. Any new horses, donkeys, or mules on your property should be quarantined and tested for parasites before joining the herd. 
  • Seasonal consideration. Administer deworming treatments at times when parasite transmission is most likely, such as during warm and moist conditions, which favors larva development. 
  • Responsible dewormer use. Use dewormers judiciously to ensure they remain effective, use fecal egg counts to target horses that are “high shedders,” and use appropriate dewormer classes singly or in combination for greatest efficacy based on your veterinarian’s recommendations. 

There also are management techniques that owners can use to disrupt the parasites’ life cycles. Breaking up fecal balls in summer months so the sun and high temperatures destroy the eggs and larvae can be very useful. 

By understanding and intervening at specific points in the parasites’ life cycles, owners can protect their animals from the harmful effects of internal parasites. 

9. Summer Feeding Strategies for Senior Equids 

Feed your older animals away from younger or more aggressive ones so they don’t have to compete for food. The same can be true of water sources. Ensure that senior equids can easily access feed and water, which dominant animals can consider scarce resources and “protect” from those with a lower pecking order in your herd. 

Feeding older horses among a herd of younger or more aggressive horses can be challenging. Implementing strategies to manage feeding times effectively can ensure that older horses receive the nutrition they require without the stress of having to compete for their meals. Consider: 

  • Separate feeding areas. Establish a specific, secluded spot in the pasture or paddock where the older horse can eat without interference from the herd. This can be as simple as cornering off a section with temporary fencing during feeding times. 
  • Multiple feeding stations. Scatter multiple feeding stations around the pasture to prevent crowding at a single point and to reduce competition among the herd. Keep in mind that asses (mules and donkeys) often are lower in the herd pecking order than horses. 
  • Slow feeders and hay nets. Utilize slow feeders or hay nets designed to prolong the feeding process for aggressive eaters while the senior horse eats at its own pace. 
  • Supervised feedings. If possible, supervise the herd during feeding times to intervene if an older equid is being bullied or pushed away from the feed. 
  • Consistent routine. Maintaining a consistent feeding schedule can help reduce anxiety and competition at feeding, as horses learn there is enough food coming at predictable times. 

By creating a peaceful and stress-free feeding environment, you can help your senior horse maintain good nutrition and overall health despite the dynamics of herd life. 

10. Regular Vet Checkups 

Last but not least, regular veterinary checkups are crucial for monitoring your senior horse’s health status and to catch any potential issues early. 

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your senior horse stays healthy and comfortable throughout the summer. Remember, every horse is unique, so it’s important to tailor your care routine to your horse’s specific needs and consult with your vet as needed. 

Resources: 

  1. How air temperature and relative humidity affect horse cooling, University of Minnesota Extension  
  2. AAEP Signs of a Healthy Horse: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/signs-healthy-horse BAD LINK 

Further Reading

Tips on Cooling a Hot Horse. Dr. Nancy Loving. MySeniorHorse.com