I’ve learned a few things on how to keep training, maintaining condition, and enjoying my horses in stifling summer Heat horseback riding the years of riding because when it gets hot in the South, it gets really hot.
In the South, humidity increases with rising temperatures. Riding and training horses can be a difficult task when a typical southern summer heat wave meets an extreme heat wave or the dreaded “heat dome”; however, there are ways to make riding in excessive weather more bearable. We’re discussing about rider care in heat waves, even though I’ve previously written about the need for special care for horses in a heat wave in this piece.
In this article, pros share their best advice for riding in the sweltering summer heat so that you can benefit from your time on the saddle even in the hottest of conditions.
- Attempt technology Riding Gear When extreme summer Heat horseback riding first arrived in the area 100 years ago, cowboys and equestrians didn’t have a lot of options or equipment, but today’s advancements in athletic and performance fabrics have led to the creation of entire wardrobes of riding breeches, tops, helmets, and boots that are intended to keep riders cool.
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When riding in intense heat, riders can stay cool by wearing summer show gloves, CoolMaxTM socks, vented riding helmets, or even cross-country vests that optimize airflow and limit insulation. The good news is that you don’t need to stock up on every piece of riding gear imaginable to enjoy riding in the summer. In fact, replacing just one or two items each summer can significantly improve your comfort level while riding in high heat and humidity.
2. Be Resourceful to Save A Tack’s Wear and Tear
How can we limit the harm to our tack when our horse sweats profusely after a workout in the sweltering Heat horseback riding when everyone knows that water is the enemy of leather? Some riders believe that the solution is to completely clean their tack after each ride, but I like to ride a bit more carefully and take it a little easier.
I use hose-off choices, such synthetic leathers, and washable liners under my saddle pads when it’s particularly hot outside. These machine-washable saddle pad liners, which were initially known as baby pads when they were modified from baby changing pads, are now widely available. Baby wipes can act as a barrier between sweaty horses and pricey, difficult-to-clean saddle cushions while also helping to absorb perspiration.
3. Spray yourself with the hose after cleaning your horse.
In the summer, you should be riding in the bare minimum of quick-drying riding attire. Therefore, when you spray yourself with water to cool off your horse, do the same for yourself. Just like a horse, make sure to scrape the excess water off afterward. Water is more likely to remain on the skin in humid conditions rather than evaporate, creating an insulating layer that actually raises body temperature. On a hot summer day, make sure to use a sweat scraper after hosing your horse off, and if you spritz yourself, use your hands’ palms to remove any extra water from your skin.
4. Ride in areas with the most airflow
It can be difficult to detect a breeze during heat waves and especially during Heat horseback riding domes (when atmospheric air isn’t moving much), but even a small amount of moving air can have a big impact on how comfortable you feel and how hard you can push your horse during a hot summer ride. Turning on box fans, giant industrial fans, or simply choosing to ride outside rather than in an indoor arena are all apparent ways to increase ventilation in some riding venues, but in others, getting a breeze on a hot day could call for a little ingenuity. Consider riding higher up, as hillsides and treelines might block any breeze that may be present.
In the sweltering heat, many bikers are tempted to ride without a helmet. A study of cowboys riding in the Australian summer heat discovered that wearing a helmet did not make it more difficult for riders to control their body temperature.1
5. Think about riding in the morning or at night.
The most bearable weather in the South is typically found in the early morning hours around dawn because of the heavy humidity that hangs in the air on hot days. When the summer heat and humidity are at their worst, early morning rides are best for horses and riders. However, for many riders who have access to an arena with sufficient lighting, riding at night is preferable. (and in the evening when people are awake and active, there is more of a crowd for those who appreciate the community of a horse boarding stable)
6. While biking, drink more water than you sweat.
Our bodies can sweat an astonishing amount while riding or performing tasks in the heat. Continue drinking water to be hydrated and to enjoy your time with your horse. It’s simple to remember how vital hydration is for horses, but it’s also quite simple to forget how much effort it takes for us as riders to consume water. Lack of fluid intake with extreme Heat horseback riding can result in lethargy, vertigo, migraines, and even heatstroke, a dangerous and even fatal condition.
Keep a bottle of water on you at all times and sip continuously. If necessary, set a reminder. If you dislike drinking water, use anything you can to stay hydrated, such as electrolytes, lemon juice, additions, or even Gatorade. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages, especially energy drinks, as the combination of caffeine and Heat horseback riding can be detrimental.
Pro tip: I freeze a couple reusable plastic water bottles in my freezer the night before when I know I’ll be spending a few hours at the barn on a hot day. I normally take two frozen bottles and one bottle of liquid water with me when I go to the barn because by the time I finish it, the frozen bottles usually have ice cold, thawed water that is great for cooling down when it’s hot outside.
Helmet liners and cooling caps
For a recent summer clinic I went to, my riding instructor suggested cooling caps to me. Cooling caps are beanies-style headgear that you immerse in ice water before wearing over your head while wearing a helmet. If you don’t mind helmet hair or are already wearing a hat, especially a vented riding helmet, a charged, wet cooling cap feels really good.
Although Amazon also has a huge selection, I discovered mine at REI. Sporting goods shops and the sporting goods section of your neighborhood budget retailer carry cooling hats similar to the one I use.
7. Don bright hues
When I was in my 20s wearing a black shirt, I believed the advise to wear light colors and avoid the Heat horseback riding was a hoax. It turns out that wisdom that has been passed down through the years is sound advice because even though the sun was beating down on me and I was perspiring profusely, as soon as I changed into the white backup shirt I had prepared, I felt instantly cooler. Because bright colors reflect sunlight, darker colours absorb more light than lighter ones. This keeps us cooler both in and out of the saddle.
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8. Try cooling the windshield
Both the rider and the horse should use sunscreen when it’s hot outside to avoid becoming sunburned. According to recent advancements in sunscreen technology, sunscreen for people not only shields us from the sun’s rays but also makes our skin feel cooler. To test it out, look into Banana Boat’s Cool Zone Refreshing Sunscreen.
Sunburns on horses are widespread, though they are occasionally mistaken for skin allergies rather than sunburns caused by UV rays striking the sensitive, typically pink, skin behind their white markings or on their muscles.
I’ve provided seven recommendations in this post for keeping cool when riding in the summer heat, some of which are traditional and others which are novel. Years spent in stables, observing experts who couldn’t take a day off in the summer, and researching equestrian summer clothing trends are how I learnt about these swelter-busting trips. What about you, what are your tips for keeping cool while riding in the summer? I’d love to hear them, so please leave a comment below.
