Summer is finally here! The longer days mean more time at the barn, more time with friends, and more time outside in general. If you live in a cold area, you know how miserable it can be to spend time at the barn in the cold. But it’s important to remember to be careful during the summer, too. When the temperatures rise, so can concerns of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. We know all about keeping our horses cool and comfortable in the summer, but what about ourselves?
Your health in the heat is equally as important.
Heat Dangers
What can happen if you get too hot at the barn?
◆ Cramping: If you start to feel cramping in your legs or your core, this is a sign to get out of the heat and hydrate, because this can develop into a bigger problem.
◆ Heat Exhaustion: If you start to sweat profusely, become nauseous, have a headache, and/or feel lightheaded, your condition has progressed to heat exhaustion.
◆ Heatstroke: This is when your temperature regulation fails, and your body temperature is 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. You can stop sweating and feel fatigued, weak, or dizzy.
Don’t let fear of these stop you from enjoying the summer outside; you just need to find ways to keep cool while completing chores, riding, and having fun.
How to Stay Cool
Use the following tips to help you keep your cool while at the barn this summer.
◆ Work Early: If you can, try to do the hardest chores early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler. Activities like riding, hand-walking, and stacking hay are best done when it’s not too hot.
When it’s hotter, focus on tasks like cleaning tack, tidying stalls, or even giving your horse a bath—these can be done in the shade or near a fan to help you stay cool.
◆ Dress Cool: Darker riding clothes are better for cooler months. In summer, wear lightweight, breathable pants and shirts for riding, or loose pants or shorts for chores. When working outside, a loose, lightweight long-sleeved shirt can help protect your arms from the sun and keep you cool by wicking away sweat.
Use cooling towels on really hot days—these are easy to use to keep you cool because they just need to get soaked with water (no need for a freezer or cooler). Carry one in your saddle bag or backpack to keep it at hand.
◆ Protect Your Head and Eyes: Wearing a light-colored hat that provides airflow can keep you cooler because it will bounce the sun’s rays away from your head, especially if you have darker-colored hair. A hat can also help protect your eyes from the intensity of the sun, shielding your eyes to prevent the risk of eye strain and discomfort. (Don’t forget to rock some UV-blocking sunglasses to prevent potential long-term eye damage from the sun.) But when you’re in the saddle, stick to a helmet—there are lots of ventilated models that will let the air flow through for cooling.
◆ Sunblock: Pack a bottle of sunscreen wherever you go so you can apply and reapply it throughout the day. Using sunscreen that’s 50 SPF will protect you from the effects of too much sun.
◆ Stay Hydrated: Always keep an insulated bottle of ice water around to encourage you to drink throughout the day. Avoid consuming drinks like soda or juice that have a lot of sugar, since those can cause dehydration.
If you have a small refrigerator in the tack room, you can fill it with snacks like fresh fruit or veggies/dip and bottled water. Or you can pack a cooler to take with you to the barn or horse camp.
◆ Feel the (Air) Flow: If you’re working in the barn, open all the windows and doors to welcome the breezes to decrease the inside temperature of the barn.
The fans in your barn aren’t just for your horse’s comfort in the summer. You can adjust them to blow in your direction to help with air circulation and to stay cool while working in the stalls and in the barn aisle. (Bonus: A fan can help keep away the bugs!)
Just remember to follow all precautions with using fans in the barn and speak with an adult if there are any concerns. Use fans with closed motors and keep the area around them free of obstructions and dust.
Take extra care of yourself and those around you during hot days, from your barnmates to your horses and other pets. Keep in mind that it’s not only the temperature but also the humidity levels that contribute to the heat. Even if you’re riding during the cooler part of the day, pay attention to how you and your horse are reacting to the heat and exertion and take the time to cool your horse out completely.
Stay safe and enjoy the summer!
This article about how to stay cool in the summer appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
