August 1, 2007. Posted by Catherine Kohn, VMDDuring hot weather, heat dissipation is primarily dependent on evaporation of sweat on the skin surface. Horses are capable of producing large quantities of sweat—sweating rates of 10-15 liters/hour¹,² have been reported during exercise in hot conditions. Sweat evaporates efficiently in hot, dry conditions, but not in hot, humid climates that are likely to impose a particularly large heat load because heat dissipation is compromised, and the horse ret...

June 26, 2007. Posted by Justin Sellon, DVMSummertime has a tendency to bring sunshine, heat, humidity, and insects to a horse barn. These three things can be hard on a horse’s skin, and can lead to the development of several common issues.SunburnIncreased day length and a hotter sun can spell trouble for horses lacking pigment on their face, nose, and ears. Intense sunlight can cause redness, swelling, and increased sensitivity. It can be unsightly and is no doubt painful for the horse.Certain...

May 19, 2018 Posted by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MAHorseback riding requires healthy backs–not just for horses but also humans. In fact, human back health can have direct implications on equine back health, as well as the horse’s welfare and performance.That’s why French scientists recently evaluated how riders of different experience levels used their spines during riding.They found significant differences that should influence the way coaches train and doctors treat, for the benefit of all backs...