Australian summers are no joke — and neither is the impact of heat and humidity on horses. Even well-conditioned horses can struggle when temperatures climb or the air feels thick and heavy.

Here’s how to keep horses safe, hydrated, performing well, and recovering faster during hot and humid weather.

Why Heat & Humidity Are Hard on Horses

Horses cool themselves by sweating.
But in humidity, sweat can’t evaporate properly, meaning:

• They stay hotter for longer
• They sweat more
• They lose more electrolytes
• They fatigue faster
• Their recovery slows dramatically

Horses can lose up to 15 L of sweat per hour — far more than what salt alone can replace.

Key Risks in Heat & Humidity

⚠️ Dehydration
⚠️ Electrolyte depletion
⚠️ Heat stress
⚠️ Muscle cramping or tying-up
⚠️ Loss of appetite
⚠️ Reduced performance
⚠️ Increased heart and respiratory rate
⚠️ Lethargy

Humidity makes all of these risks higher.

How to Support Horses in Hot Weather

Provide Constant Fresh Water

Warm water, dirty buckets, and algae growth stop horses from drinking.
In summer, water should be:

• Cleaned daily
• Topped up multiple times
• Checked for temperature

Some horses drink more when water is slightly warm — great trick for fussy drinkers.

Feed Salt Daily (Yes, Year-Round)

Salt encourages natural drinking.
Most horses need 10–25 g/day, more in hot weather.

But salt alone will NOT replace the full electrolyte losses from heavy sweating.

Use Electrolytes During Heat, Work & Travel

Electrolytes replace sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium — the minerals lost in sweat.

Electrolytes should be used:

• Before and after exercise
• On very hot/humid days
• After travel
• During competitions
• When horses sweat standing in their paddock

Choose Electrolytes That Actually Rehydrate

Not all formulas are equal.

EquaCare Electrolyte-B Paste is ideal for hot weather because it:

• Replaces ALL key electrolytes
• Contains B vitamins for appetite, energy & stress
• Supports horses that stop drinking/eating in heat
• Works quickly and efficiently
• Is easy to give before or after work

It’s a dual-action option for performance + hydration, making it superior to plain electrolyte pastes.

Adjust Workload

In severe heat or humidity:

• Train early morning or late evening
• Shorten sessions
• Increase walk breaks
• Prioritise recovery work
• Avoid high-intensity days back-to-back

Cool Horses Correctly

For best cool-down:

• Continuous hosing (not scrape, hose, scrape)
• Shade during recovery
• Fans if available
• Walk until breathing lowers

Scraping is only needed in humid conditions when water sits on the coat.

Support the Gut & Immune System

Heat stress affects the gut.
Products like Oral Immune Support can help horses stay healthy during peak summer and travel periods.

Horses Most at Risk in Hot/Humid Weather

✔️ Dark-coated horses
✔️ Heavy breeds
✔️ Young and older horses
✔️ Unfit horses
✔️ Travelled horses
✔️ Nervous or stressy horses
✔️ Performance horses in full work

These horses often require additional salt, electrolytes, and recovery support.

Your Hot-Weather Essentials

• Daily salt
• Electrolyte-B Paste before/after work
• Extra hydration checks
• Smart training times
• Correct cooling techniques
• Gut/immune support
• Shade and ventilation
  
  

The Takeaway

Heat and humidity put enormous pressure on the horse’s body — especially their hydration, muscles, and recovery.

Supporting them with:

💧 Water
🧂 Salt
⚡ Electrolytes
💥 B Vitamins
💪 Smart management practices

is the key to keeping them happy, safe, and performing at their best through summer.

Electrolyte-B Paste gives you the edge your horse needs when the weather is working against you — fast, targeted hydration support with added B vitamins to fuel appetite, recovery and energy.