I have never in my life experienced heat like we are having from this heat wave before. Its going on now for about two weeks and has reached up to 110 and the "feels like" temp has been up to 120. . Needless to say I've been worried sick about my horses, especially Sonny my 32 year old Quarter Horse.
My horses have been going out very early in the am and coming back in as early as 10:00 am! I cannot believe in that time how hot their little bodies feel! OMG. I pulled out all the stops and have done everything you could possibly think of to keep everyone comfortable to no avail. The sun is scorching hot beyond description so its in the barn under fans and all that is doing is blowing around hot air. I have drastically cut down their hay while in the barn, something I never do, but they just don't want much right now so I am giving beet pulp soaked in water and somedays soaked in straight Gatorade. I'm also doing rounds of Probios or Activia. The only thing that is really helping is water, keeping everyone hosed down. That's a chore to do everyone a couple of times a day but it perks them all up quickly. I've been taking them out to the wash rack in pairs and holding them on the end of the leads and letting the water just run and run on them and me too! I also do a late evening turn out when the sun is down. We are ready for fall!
My horses have been going out very early in the am and coming back in as early as 10:00 am! I cannot believe in that time how hot their little bodies feel! OMG. I pulled out all the stops and have done everything you could possibly think of to keep everyone comfortable to no avail. The sun is scorching hot beyond description so its in the barn under fans and all that is doing is blowing around hot air. I have drastically cut down their hay while in the barn, something I never do, but they just don't want much right now so I am giving beet pulp soaked in water and somedays soaked in straight Gatorade. I'm also doing rounds of Probios or Activia. The only thing that is really helping is water, keeping everyone hosed down. That's a chore to do everyone a couple of times a day but it perks them all up quickly. I've been taking them out to the wash rack in pairs and holding them on the end of the leads and letting the water just run and run on them and me too! I also do a late evening turn out when the sun is down. We are ready for fall!