When to Ride in the Summer

If the Temperature plus the Humidity is:
  • Less than 120 - You are safe to go and do all the riding you like
    with no real worries.
  • 120 through 150 - Your horse will sweat up with work, so make
    sure he has a chance to stop and rest and get a drink over the
    course of a long ride.
  • 150 through 180 - Heat stress is more likely, so be careful. In
    combintaion with heat, the higher the humidity the rougher it is
    on the horse, so pay particular attention to the humidity levels.
  • Over 180 - In any combination.... DON'T RIDE!
Horse Vital Signs:  For a horse, normal temperature is 99-101; normal
pulse is 32-44 beats/minute; normal respiration is 8-12
breaths/minute. Call a Vet if any of these vitals exceed these ranges.  
Normal capillary refill time is 1-2 seconds.  Call the vet if gum stays
white longer.  Mucous membrane, normal is pink and moist.  Call the
vet if membranes are pale, deep red, purple or dry.
Horse Facts
Horse Facts