Heat Conditioning the
Endurance Horse & Rider

It can feel daunting to spend outside time with your horse when the temperatures are sweltering. What if you want to keep your horse fit through the summer heat without hindering their health? We asked sponsored rider Natalie Law to give us some insight into how she safely trains and competes in hot, dry conditions.

Being an endurance rider in Utah, where the desert temperatures and UV rays are intense, Natalie has learned some great tips and tricks on how to effectively condition in the heat. In this guide, Natalie will address how she trains her horses and riders in high temperatures as well as recommend her favorite hot-weather horseback riding gear. Our crew of experts will also help answer some frequently asked questions about riding in high temperatures!

I never paid attention to "heat training" until I started actively training and studying for the Tevis Cup in 2021. I live in Leeds, UT where although it's beautiful, most days are hot, dry, and dusty. Summers here usually mean spending a few months above 100° or even above 110° for some periods of time. I've always been a warm-weather fan having grown up in Florida, but living where it's dry changes a lot. While I can't speak for competing in high-humidity heat, I can definitely give my experiences of how my horses and I have successfully competed in endurance in hot, dry climates.

Climate

One of the first things you have to determine is how similar the climate of the ride you're going to attend is compared to the conditions your horse trains in. From there, your conditioning should try to mimic those conditions. For example, some people blanket their horses and monitor their body temperatures while training for Tevis. When I read that, I was worried about blanketing mine and riding in 110+ degrees. So I messaged Dr. Susan Garlinghouse asking for her opinion; she kinda laughed at me and told me my horses were heat training just standing in their pens all day!

Salt

The main question I ask myself is, "What can I do to be the most successful on ride day?" I think the most important factor is keeping myself and my horse fully hydrated. I say us both, because the horse is not the only one competing in the heat, and they're likely more prepared than we are because they don't get to enjoy the luxury of air conditioning. Much of my notes will apply to both horse and rider! Using salt to help increase hydration pre-ride is probably my best tool. I salt my horses' feed mash, and I eat salty foods.

Clipping

The next at-home tool would be a good pair of clippers. Depending on how much hotter the ride will be than your home environment, anything from a trace clip to a full-body clip will significantly help your horse cool on ride day. Of course, this also means you need to be prepared with blanketing at night. Even in the middle of the summer when my horses seemed slick, I was amazed by how much excessive hair they had when I fully body clipped them for Tevis. So don't be afraid to clip their hair! It grows back, I promise.

UV Protective Clothing

Once you're at the ride, there are some tools that can be used to help you both succeed. I mentioned I grew up in Florida; I love the heat, but I've learned that not everyone handles it as well. Often times people want to reduce the amount of clothing they wear to stay cooler, but that won't necessarily keep you comfortable. I almost exclusively wear UV long-sleeve sun shirts in the summer. First, they protect my skin from sun damage and burns. Second, they truly can keep you cooler—especially as you add water to them.

Sponging & Soaking

Over this last summer, I had a junior from Washington state training with me. As we were riding up the mountains in 95+ degrees, she was really getting hot. We came across a small trickle of water in the stream, and as we sponged our horses, I said "Soak yourself too." She kinda looked at me funny, then completely soaked her shirt and her head. If you can cool your head, your overall body temperature will cool. Soaking your shirt will also keep you cooler for longer.

Like our horses, our human bodies produce sweat to create evaporative cooling. It helps significantly when we can aid our bodies by adding water instead of losing hydration. At hot endurance rides, people will always see me soaking my horse (conserving water when asked, of course) and soaking my arms and head in the water tanks. If you can help your horse stay cooler throughout the day, they will better maintain their hydration and be able to pulse down quicker.

Electrolytes

I'm a huge advocate of electrolytes for both horse and human. I know this can be a controversial topic, but I've watched electrolytes be the saving grace for my 77-year-old father who hiked rim to rim of the Grand Canyon. I myself not only use them during competition, but I also take electrolyte tablets daily during the summer. While some people like to mix them in a drink, I prefer ones that come in pill form.

As for my horses, they too require different kinds. Some horses might perform well with electrolytes you mix in their mash, while others might need higher levels and need them to be syringed. One of my horses uses Endura-Max while another uses a combo of CMPK and salt. Regardless, there is plenty of science behind the importance and benefits of electrolytes, but it's crucial to use them properly! Every horse requires different doses and kinds of electrolytes, so I encourage you to study and practice using them.

Q: How do I keep myself and my horse cool in hot conditions?

A: To help keep yourself cool during the heat, take a look at our summer apparel and accessories. Hosing your horse with cold water is one of the quickest ways you can cool them down, but you can also use a sponge and bucket of cold water if you don't have access to running water. Give your horse clean, cool water to drink as well.

High temperatures can cause heat stress or a heat stroke in horses, and it's imperative to address their health needs by keeping a close eye on any negative symptoms they may be exhibiting. We address several tips on how to keep your horse cool and hydrated in our summer horse care guide, which we encourage you to check out!

Q: What is the fastest way to hydrate a horse?

A: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. Pun intended! Apart from water itself, electrolyte pastes and electrolytes in water or feed are effective methods of quickly hydrating your horse. Always offer your horse clean water alongside any electrolyte program you choose to use. For more information, we dive deeper into what electrolytes are and how they function for horses in our electrolyte supplement guide. For further insight on how to help your endurance horse recover from a ride, be sure to read through our article on post-ride care for some best practices.

Horseback riding in hot temperatures is no joke, and it's important to keep a close eye on your horse (and yourself) while doing so. Heat exhaustion isn't good for either the horse or rider! We hope you enjoyed learning about some aspects of heat conditioning from sponsored rider Natalie Law. When done safely, training and competing in the heat can be quite effective at helping your horse go farther faster in the sport of endurance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com for assistance. In the meantime, stay cool and happy riding!

"Don't get so caught up in the race on ride day that you don't take care of yourself and your horse. Be wise with your speed and ride according to how well you've trained for those conditions. It truly is amazing how well horses can handle the heat, and most times they'll handle it better than their human. It's our responsibility to be smart and take the best care of our equines as we can!"

- Natalie Law, RW Sponsored Rider