What horse owners need to know for summer

GUELPH – An ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure, especially when it comes to summer horse care. 

That’s why Equine Guelph is sharing free resources to help. From hydration and heat stress to parasite control and pasture management, small day-to-day decisions can have a significant impact on horses’ health. 

Gradually building conditioning programs helps reduce the risk of lameness, while knowing each horse’s baseline vital signs is fundamental to spotting health concerns early and supporting veterinarians with the information they need to deliver the best possible care.

Health check

A key part of prevention is knowing what is normal, which is not always obvious as horses are very good at hiding early signs of a problem.

Regularly performing horse health check helps establish baseline values such as temperature, pulse, respiration, hydration and soundness, making it easier to detect subtle changes early.

Clear, accurate information helps veterinarians assess whether a situation is urgent or can safely wait, leading to better decisions, more efficient care and a stronger working relationship. 

Hydration, heat management

Hydration and heat management are key as temperatures rise. Provide constant access to clean, fresh water, adequate shade, and ensure horses have access to salt at all times, to help maintain proper hydration. 

Horses in work may require electrolytes to help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost while sweating. There are many dos and don’ts when it comes to electrolyte use, including ingredients and the timing and method of delivery.

Pay attention to early warning signs of heat stress and dehydration such as increased breathing rate, dullness or reduced appetite, and adjust workload before problems develop. 

Parasite control

Parasite control should focus on prevention and long-term effectiveness.

Equine Guelph officials recommend working with a veterinarian to build a targeted deworming program based on fecal egg counts. 

This reduces resistance and keeps the deworming program effective for the future. 

Pasture management

Pasture management is another important component of parasite control as well as overall equine health and well-being. 

Picking up the poop can reduce parasite populations and the amount of flying pests. 

Ticks are on the rise and letting horses graze in overgrown pastures can provide an inviting environment.  Getting rid of brush piles and trimming the grass around paddocks can also make the area less attractive for ticks.

Rotational grazing, avoiding overgrazing and monitoring for toxic plants help support nutrition and reduce health risks.

If laminitis is a concern, a grazing muzzle may be beneficial.

Lameness prevention

Lameness prevention starts with a thoughtful, progressive training program.  

Gradually build fitness so bones, joints and soft tissues can adapt. Avoid doing too much too quickly, especially when bringing horses back into work or increasing intensity. 

Include proper warm-up and cool-down and allow adequate recovery time between efforts. 

Recognizing subtle changes such as stiffness, uneven movement, or changes in performance and addressing them early can prevent more serious injury.  

It is easier to accurately diagnose lameness with an early call rather than waiting for more compensatory patterns to develop.

Biosecurity

Good biosecurity practices include bringing personal supplies with travelling with horses, not sharing equipment and staying up to date on vaccinations.  

Across all of these areas, prevention and early recognition are key to keeping horses healthy and reducing the likelihood of emergency calls. 

Building good daily habits means veterinarians become horse owners’ partners in maintaining health, rather than responding to avoidable crises. 

Equine health, disease course

Want to dive deeper into recognizing risks early and make informed decisions?

In September, Dr. Ev Post will lead Equine Guelph’s online equine health and disease course, designed to help horse owners build confidence in recognizing, preventing, and responding to common health concerns.

In this course, students will explore: early warning signs of illness, how management choices influence disease risk, when to monitor and when to call the vet, an practical strategies to support long-term horse health.