Developing the Sport Horse: The Importance of Hydration

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Equine Guelph Aug 20, 2014

As we move through the height of our summer competition season, it is not uncommon to have multiple days of severe heat and humidity—you know, the days when you sweat standing still.

But heat and humidity can be harder on your horse than it is on you. Most of us have worked to motivate a sluggish horse through the final jump off or Day 3 of a competition, but why does this happen? Was our training off the mark? Perhaps they need a different energy source in their feed? Or was it that energy-zapping heat and humidity? Let's take a close look at the role of sweating in the horses' ability to cool and how extreme heat and humidity can affect their ability to perform...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/34410/developing-the-sport-horse-the-importance-of-hydration