Heat Questions.

OhBaby,Vega · 07-09-2007, 04:07 PM

The heat was and has been awe-inspiring [and let's face it, miserable] for the last week or two. And true to form, I have worried myself into a coma about Vega. With humidity factored in, it's been about 100 degrees, give or take 5, and Vega is black with dark skin. I don't actually know if that makes a huge difference, but I know black retains heat much more readily than lighter colors.

She currently resides in the back pasture, where she is 24/7 with natural shelter.

There's plenty of shade and when there's a storm, or a threat of a storm, or even a whisper of a storm, she's immediately put up until whatever it is passes. However, I've been getting the sneaking suspiscion that my little monster would rather give herself a heat stroke than stop eating. This feeling has been aided by the fact that horses are known to be more driven by their stomach than their brains

So all this rambling has been for a point. Is it safe to leave her out their during the worst of the heat or would I be better off putting her up from 11-3 or 12-4 or something like that? Please share any thoughts you have because I'm about to keel over from worry.

**Diamond_Y** · 07-09-2007, 04:24 PM

We live in Texas, and our horses do just fine in the heat, as long as they have adequate water and shade.

DustyTrailsHorseRescue · 07-09-2007, 06:26 PM

Our horses come in voluntarily since they all LOVE their fans, then they get turned back out when it is cooler.

Lopin · 07-09-2007, 08:40 PM

Our outside horses have access to pasture 24/7, but in the heat of the day, they sit up in the sheds w/the fans on and wait to go back out to graze until the early evening. It's their choice.

snickers · 07-09-2007, 09:24 PM

Electrolites.
If you are not giving any to her, get a bucket and start.

Our horses are out 24/7 with plenty of tree's for shade. When they get hot, they will go look for shade.

Horses have the natural instinct as to what to do. We as humans tend to interfer with the natural instinct and do what we feel is best and when we should take a step back.

Range · 07-09-2007, 09:34 PM

As Diamond Y said, here in Texas ours go to shade when they want. They have plenty of water and a run-in with a fan. They don't use the fan until nighttime!

mkyamse · 07-10-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickers

Electrolites.
If you are not giving any to her, get a bucket and start.

Our horses are out 24/7 with plenty of tree's for shade. When they get hot, they will go look for shade.

Horses have the natural instinct as to what to do. We as humans tend to interfer with the natural instinct and do what we feel is best and when we should take a step back.

Well said Kim. Ours are out in the FL heat 24/7 as well. They are happy and healthy.

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07-09-2007, 04:07 PM
OhBaby,Vega Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 128	Heat Questions. The heat was and has been awe-inspiring [and let's face it, miserable] for the last week or two. And true to form, I have worried myself into a coma about Vega. With humidity factored in, it's been about 100 degrees, give or take 5, and Vega is black with dark skin. I don't actually know if that makes a huge difference, but I know black retains heat much more readily than lighter colors. She currently resides in the back pasture, where she is 24/7 with natural shelter. There's plenty of shade and when there's a storm, or a threat of a storm, or even a whisper of a storm, she's immediately put up until whatever it is passes. However, I've been getting the sneaking suspiscion that my little monster would rather give herself a heat stroke than stop eating. This feeling has been aided by the fact that horses are known to be more driven by their stomach than their brains So all this rambling has been for a point. Is it safe to leave her out their during the worst of the heat or would I be better off putting her up from 11-3 or 12-4 or something like that? Please share any thoughts you have because I'm about to keel over from worry. __________________ Baby Girl is due April 2, 2010 :]

07-09-2007, 04:24 PM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,717	We live in Texas, and our horses do just fine in the heat, as long as they have adequate water and shade. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

07-09-2007, 06:26 PM
DustyTrailsHorseRescue Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montgomery, Alabama Posts: 2,585	Our horses come in voluntarily since they all LOVE their fans, then they get turned back out when it is cooler. __________________ Please vote for us at:http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3 till December 20!

07-09-2007, 08:40 PM
Lopin Coming two Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Home of Brett Favre Posts: 1,751	Our outside horses have access to pasture 24/7, but in the heat of the day, they sit up in the sheds w/the fans on and wait to go back out to graze until the early evening. It's their choice. __________________ RIP Buz 4/16/89 - 6/17/09 When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

07-09-2007, 09:24 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 9,804	Electrolites. If you are not giving any to her, get a bucket and start. Our horses are out 24/7 with plenty of tree's for shade. When they get hot, they will go look for shade. Horses have the natural instinct as to what to do. We as humans tend to interfer with the natural instinct and do what we feel is best and when we should take a step back. __________________ The "real" FACE of white trash is not here. http://diamondpfarm.webs.com/

07-09-2007, 09:34 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	As Diamond Y said, here in Texas ours go to shade when they want. They have plenty of water and a run-in with a fan. They don't use the fan until nighttime! __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery