Blog Articles Overall
Coat Change
Here’s how you can help your horse When the days start to get longer and spring arrives, we throw our thick winter coats into the basement and wait for the warmer weather. While we are ready for the change in
The Weather Index: Keeping Horses Safe and Comfortable in Extreme Temperatures
Horses are sturdy creatures, but they can be sensitive to extreme weather conditions. Here you can read about the impact of temperature and humidity on your horse and what measures to take to ensure your horse’s well-being.
What You Need to Know About the Weather Index
Understanding the Weather Index for Horses
The weather index for horses takes into account the combined effects of temperature and humidity on equine comfort and health. The sum of the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) and relative humidity is used to determine the weather index value. Depending on this value, specific precautions should be taken to protect horses from potential health risks associated with extreme temperatures.
1. Comfort Zone: Weather Index Value Between 130 and 150
When the weather index falls within this range, horses are generally comfortable and able to regulate their body temperature effectively. The comfort zone is typically between 40°F (4°C) and 77°F (25°C) with relative humidity ranging from 30% to 60%. During this range, horses can maintain their well-being without significant physiological stress. Less than 30% Humidity have no influence on your horse.
2. Heat Stress Warning: Weather Index Value Above 150
When the weather index rises above 150, horses are at risk of heat stress. This condition can lead to dehydration, exhaustion, and heat-related health issues. To protect horses during hot and humid weather:
a) Provide shade and fresh water: Ensure horses have access to shaded areas and ample, clean, and cool water at all times.
b) Limit strenuous activities: Avoid exercising horses during the hottest parts of the day. Schedule workouts during cooler hours, such as early morning or late evening.
c) Use cooling methods: If available, use fans or misters in barns or sheltered areas to help horses cool down.
3. Cold Stress Warning: Weather Index Value Below 130
When the weather index drops below 130, horses may experience cold stress. This can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related issues. To protect horses during cold and humid weather:
a) Provide adequate shelter: Ensure horses have access to a well-insulated stable, run-in shed, or windbreak to protect them from wind, rain, and snow.
b) Offer warm water and forage: Use heated water buckets or tank heaters to prevent water from freezing. Provide ample forage to help horses generate internal heat through digestion.
c) Use horse blankets: Consider using properly fitted horse blankets to provide extra warmth, especially for horses with thin coats or health concerns.
It’s essential to be aware of the weather index and its impact on your horse. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can pose risks to its health and well-being. By understanding the weather index and taking appropriate measures, such as providing shelter, water, and adjusting exercise routines, we can ensure the horse stays safe and comfortable throughout changing weather conditions.
Remember, individual horses may have varying tolerances to temperature and humidity, so it’s crucial to observe each horse’s behavior and adjust management practices accordingly. When in doubt, always consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice and guidance.
Different Breed, Different Climate
Horse breeds acclimated to specific climates, be it desert, cold, or temperate environments, exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable them to thrive in their respective habitats. From the endurance and stamina of desert-adapted breeds like the Arabian Horse to the cold tolerance and surefootedness of breeds like the Icelandic Horse, these equine companions showcase their resilience and adaptability. Temperate-adapted breeds such as the Thoroughbred and Andalusian offer versatility and endurance, making them well-suited to moderate climates.
Each breed’s unique characteristics demonstrate the deep connection between humans and animals, as they have been shaped by generations living in diverse climates. While these horses are well-adapted, it is essential to provide proper care, shelter, and attention to ensure their well-being in any extreme climate.
A real survivor
The Yakutian horse lives at -40°C in Siberia, where it is used as a riding and pack horse. There it has lived semi-wild for more than 800 years and is a true survivor with a winter coat up to 8 cm long.
Save these graphics and keep the weather index and the effects on your horse with you at all times:
Health x Happie Horse App
Enter your horse's pulse, respiration, temperature and all the symptoms of heat or cold stress into the health record of the Happie Horse App.
Cold tress symptoms can be shivering or a Piloerection, the raising of the hair.
Heat stress symptoms are poorly circulated blood in the mucous tissues, dehydration, an abnormally high pulse rate and shortness of breath.
Now you can quickly recognise if your horse is not feeling well.
Download the app and try all premium features 7 days for free!
Related articles
Blog Articles Overall
Which Plants are Poisonous for Horses?
Expert Advice: Kim Lina Pethahn, an independent feed consultant, wrote this article. Common Symptoms and What to Avoid Poisonous plants can be found all over the world and sadly horses do not always know that what they’re eating might be
Blog Articles Overall
Pros and Cons of Going Barefoot
Going barefoot refers to the practice of keeping horses without horseshoes, allowing them to walk and run on natural surfaces with their hooves unprotected by metal shoes. This practice is based on the idea that horses evolved to have hooves
Blog Articles Overall
The Equine Skeleton – The Horse From the Inside
It is nothing new that horses are very agile animals. But did you know that a horse’s skeleton consists of 252 individual bones? This means that a horse has 46 more bones than a human. However, horses do not have
Blog Articles Overall
The Weather Index: Keeping Horses Safe and Comfortable in Extreme Temperatures
Horses are sturdy creatures, but they can be sensitive to extreme weather conditions. Here you can read about the impact of temperature and humidity on your horse and what measures to take to ensure your horse’s well-being. What You Need
Blog Articles Overall
Symptoms on the Horse Body: What Hot Legs, Sore Spots or Digestive Noises Tell You!
When grooming and saddling, you can easily check your horse’s body for symptoms. In this blog post you can read about symptoms of the horse’s body and what they could mean. Everything About Symptoms on the Horse Body A Sore