16/02/2026
These past weeks we have been experiencing souring temperatures. It is tough on our equine friends with little to no respite with temperatures of 30 degrees noted as late as 17h00.
During these extreme temperatures we have to be diligent to ensure our horses stay hydrated at all times.
If your horse becomes dehydrated their droppings become hard and there is a risk of an impaction colic which none of us want.
So how do I ensure this does not happen?
➡ provide at least 40g salt. Easier to feed 20g (Tablespoon twice a day) to ensure adequate supply. Supplementation of salt (sodium chloride) is important to replace the lost electrolytes, sodium and chloride when they sweat profusely. It is also a good way to ensure that your horse is thirsty and drinks sufficient water to rehydrate as well. Dual benefit!!
➡ Try bring horses in from the paddock in the heat of the day to avoid overheating and over sweating. Horses are not comfortable standing in paddocks midday unless they can rest under a nice shady tree with a breeze.
➡ Avoid exercising your horse during the hottest time of the day. Rather choose early morning and evening times when it is a little cooler. Adjust their exercise and reduce the time spent riding when it is too hot to avoid excess sweating.
➡ Cool the body off as soon as you have ridden by cold hosing.
➡ Inspect your horse's droppings morning and evening and watch for small, hard droppings showing dehydration. Monitor water intake if you see this and ensure your horse is drinking sufficient water. Add some epsom salts to their diet to loosen the hard stool.
February is the hottest month of our year and these extreme temperatures can often filter into March.
Don't forget your salt, monitor water intake and avoid over exertion to avoid dehydration and possible colics caused by dehydration.