Horse Riding in the Sun

Most equestrian horse riders have to endure whatever the weather brings, cold and wet or hot and humid, horse and pony lovers are out there. When it is set to be hot you need to give some thought about how to protect yourself (and your horse) from the sun.

Wear the correct ridiing clothes

If you are wearing correct riding clothes your skin will be mostly covered and safe from sunburn. The long sleeves which will protect your skin from grazing should you fall will also protect you from the sun`s rays. Your helmet will also protect your head. There are some areas that you will need to slap some sun cream on though, such as the back of your neck and your face - don`t forget to include your neck and uncovered chest areas. If you decide to ride in a T-shirt cover your arms as well.

Avoid the noonday sun

It really is not a good idea to exercise your horse in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest, if you have no choice it is important to take it easy as horses can also suffer from heatstroke -even if you are in an indoor school the heat can affect you both. Interestingly enough horses have about the same number of skin layers as we do so if you feel something they are going to feel about the same. As the biggest organ of both your bodies it is an important factor in keeping the body temperature regulated. If it gets really hot, a nice cool wash will help both of you cool down.

Horses can be sensitive to the sun

Horses with pale muzzles can often suffer from sunburn as well. There are several sunscreens on the market especially manufactured for pets. Apply it to the area about 30 minutes before going out and allow it to dry. You may need to reapply after you cool and wash your horse down. If either of you do get sunburnt then try Aloe with lavender to help soothe the area.

Let the horse have their mane and tail to help chase away the flies which will be attracted by the sweat. You may also need something to drive them away. Some people maintain that garlic added to your horses feed will help to keep flies off, maybe it works for riders as well!

Be aware of your time in the sun

Of course you may spend far more time in the pasture looking after your horse and stable and this is where you are more likely to forget to protect yourself. Try and get out either early in the day or later on in the evening when it is cooler. It is as important for you to have lots of water to drink as it is your horse. If temperatures stay high for any length of time your vet might suggest adding electrolytes to the water. It has been claimed that to work out water consumption you should take your weight, half it and then drink that many ounces of water in a day. Good luck with trying to work that out!

In the middle of the day find somewhere cool and relax. Check out some free racing tips and see if you can win enough for that pair of boots or saddle you have had your eye on.