When the Florida heat hits hard, your horse feels it just as much—if not more—than you do. And unlike us, they can’t exactly ask for an iced coffee or crank up the A/C. So what’s a horse owner to do when temps soar and sweat pours?
Here’s your no-sweat guide to keeping your horse cool, safe, and hydrated during those blazing summer days with a little help from Kombat Kool and some electrolyte know-how.
Why Heat Is a Big Deal for Horses
Horses are heavy sweaters—literally. They lose tons of fluids and essential minerals just standing around in high humidity. Without proper care, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heatstroke can sneak up fast.
Some signs of heat stress in horses include:
- Excessive sweating or no sweating (anhidrosis)
- Lethargy or uncoordinated movement
- Elevated heart rate, rapid breathing
- Decreased appetite or drinking
Now that we’ve got your attention… let’s talk prevention.
Hydration is key
First things first—water. Horses need access to fresh, clean water at all times, but especially in summer. On average, they’ll drink 5–15 gallons per day, and even more when working or sweating heavily.
Pro Tip: Always check buckets and automatic waterers. Hot sun can heat up troughs fast, and nobody likes sipping bathwater.
Don’t Forget the Electrolytes
When your horse sweats, it loses more than just water—it loses electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride. These minerals are vital for muscle function, hydration, and energy.
Tack Shack Tip: Add electrolytes to feed or water on especially hot or humid days, or anytime your horse is working hard. We carry a range of horse-safe electrolyte formulas that keep performance and hydration in balance.
Shop our electrolyte collection - supplements
Say Hello to Kombat Kool
your summer barn hero: Kombat Kool.
This innovative, horse-safe product helps promote natural cooling and sweating in horses who struggle with anhidrosis (aka, they don’t sweat enough—or at all). It’s especially great for horses in Florida and the Southeast where high humidity can wreak havoc on their ability to regulate body temperature.
Why we love Kombat Kool:
- Encourages natural thermoregulation
- Easy to feed (powder form)
- Designed specifically for anhidrosis-prone horses
- Great for both performance horses and pasture pals
Bonus Cooling Tips:
- Ride early or late. Avoid peak sun hours (12–4 PM).
- Hose & scrape. Rinse with cool water and scrape it off. Leaving water on can trap heat.
- Shade & fans. Make sure pastures and barns offer breezy shade zones.
- Cool treats. Frozen apples or soaked hay cubes? Yes please.
Your horse is your partner—don’t let them overheat in silence. With smart summer management, hydration hacks, and hero products like Kombat Kool, you’ll both be soaking up the sun safely.