As you are sipping something cold or iced this summer, don’t forget your horses.

Make sure they have plenty of fresh clean water to drink.  If you won’t drink it, don’t expect them to.

If you are working them hard, keep some paste electrolytes on hand.  Yes we can buy powdered and put it in their water or feed, but will they eat it or drink it?  It doesn’t do any good if they won’t.  It’s easier to just syringe it into their mouths.  This way you know exactly how much they are getting, and that they are getting it.  But by no means give it to them if they don’t need it.  You can overdose them and throw their whole system off.

Keep a salt brick or block out there for them so that they can lick it whenever their bodies tell them they need it.  No Margaritas please, just salt.

Watch their pulse and respiration.  If they are blowing just standing around, make sure they are sweating.  It’s common here in the south that a horse will shut down.  What ever you do, do not assume they are just not that hot.  As you would take a quick dip in a pool, hose them down with cold water.

AND don’t forget that if the humidity is higher than the air temperature, they can’t cool themselves.

Just my normal Summer Public Service reminders.  Have fun in the sun, but be safe.