When do "you" feel its 2 hot 2 ride for both horse and rider?

[Cowgirl Lindz]

What the title says
temperature??

[MCarverS]

Living in Florida, its above 85 a lot of the summer, so I'll usually try to get my riding done before it hits any hotter than 85 (before 10am) otherwise, I'll just keep it very short and sweet. As far as the pregnant mares in work, I will be a bit more careful and won't work them if it is over 85 degrees. Also, humidity makes a huge difference, so that is a factor as well to be considered as well.

[dghunter]

Definitely depends on humidity. Which is usually pretty high here during the summer (though nothing compared to the south) but when it's above 80 I drag. I know the horses are okay so I force myself to ride. 85-90 is my cutoff depending on humidity.

[HenryisBlaisin']

It depends on several things: the ambient temperature vs. heat index, which, in my area tends to be the better indicator as it's humid in the summer and that makes the heat index go up; fitness level of both horse and rider, and the time of day/how high the sun is in the sky.

I'll ride if it's into the 90's if it's not too humid and the sun isn't directly overhead, I don't push my horse or myself as hard as I might on a cooker day, make sure I'm hydrated. We don't have an indoor for shade, so I'm careful to ride for shorter periods of time to keep everyone healthy. I also make sure I drink, drink, drink before and after, and that my horse has water breaks during the ride (just a sip or two til he's cooled out). Afterward, I hose him until the water running off him is cold. I've never had a heat-related issue for either myself or my horses. (knock on wood!)

[shawneeAcres]

If dewpoint is upper 60's or 70's and temp is 95+ it is definitely too hot for both! EVen a dewpoint in the 70's and temps in upper 80's can be too much, had a student develop heat exhaustion on a day like that. Watch the dewpoint that is really very important in high temps

[Fixerupper]

Those in the south...who are used to sweltering weather...already have a plan. Those of us in temperate climates (too hot/too cold = average... 'temperate') always struggle. My rule is 'no heroics'. If I need to drink every 15 minutes - so does my horse! I arrange my schedule to ride earlier or later in the day when the temperature is less extreme...if that's not possible, I go for a gentle hack...after all...few of us are 'going to the Olympics' on a time frame ;).
As I recollect, from the info out last year for the 'real' Olympic riders going to Hong Kong...it takes at least a week to acclimatize to a significant weather/temperature change. This year, we haven't yet had a week to acclimatize..wait it out... it's probably only a few days anyway. If you feel OK to work in the weather, your horse probably does too.

[Brown Horse]

Pretty much never. This summer it was consistently over 100 degrees and 100% humidity. I usually rode in the evenings when it gets down into the 90's, but the only available lesson time for me was at 4:30 when it was still in the 3 digits. I'm not saying I LIKE riding in that kind of heat, but if I want to ride, some days it's the only option (ex: we had Becky Holder come for a clinic and we rode XC in 103 degrees and 100% humidity). You just have to stay hydrated. And it bothers my horse, a TB, a lot less than it bothers me.

[VA_Hunter_Aside]

I don't have a specific temperature because it can be so humid here. 80 can feel like 95. Basically if I don't want to be outside then I don't ride. If I think I may want to go for a run and will feel comfortable then I know it's fine to ride. I always like the morning temperatures better because the humidity is usually lower although I can never get it together early enough to ride.

[Rubs Not Pats]

I am glad none of you live in AZ, but feel free to call PITA on us ;)! We ride all summer but are careful and the horses are used to it.

[Individualblue07]

as for me, i live in florida so i find if i sweat just tacking up... its probably too hot to really work too much. :lol:

[Across Sicily]

If it is not humid, up to 90, probably. Maybe a little higher, depending on if it's really dry.

If it's humid... ugh.

The other day the temperature here was 106 with 79% humidity, which is COMPLETELY out of character for this area (the humidity, not so much, but the temperature, definitely). I rode at 7am since it was a designated barn day and then drove home and slept for about 6 hours. Even at 7 it was like swimming through the air and was still probably 85 out. The heat index that day reached something crazy.

I've learned to check the heat index, definitely... it tells the real story.

[ddashaq]

If I am a sweaty mess after walking out to catch and then tack my horse, we keep it to a very light workout. If he is sweating from just standing still in the shade, I don't even bother to bring him in. I detest the heat and now that I live somewhere with milder winters, I don't feel as driven to ride during the summer months.

[fancyfooted]

I really think it depends on your area and what it's like most of the year. When I lived in the south, we'd do our riding in the morning mostly but sometimes we'd have to be out all day or later in the day when it was hot. It just meant staying hydrated and keeping the horses as cool as possible in between work.

Where I am now, it doesn't get hot very often, but when it DOES get hot we get in the upper 90's and low 100's. Those are days that I choose not to ride because our horses are just not acclimated to working all the time in that weather. I have to ride in the afternoons now as that is my only free time. Were I able to ride in the morning, I would do that instead for sure! So, once it's creeping into the mid 90's I cancel my riding plans, or we just do light easy work.

[farmgirl88]

its been high 80's to mid 90's since last saturday here. its sticky and very hot and no clouds. I havnt been able to ride since last saturday as the only time i have to ride is right after work (around 2pm) and thats when the weather is the worst. right now; the horses go outside at 6am and when i get home i have to bring everyone in to their fans because they are dripping in sweat from head to toe and they're just standing outside.

[JumpWithPanache]

I'm in the Tidewater region of VA, so we base things off the heat index since humidity is always high during the summer. If the heat index is over 100 then I don't ride, it's just too hard on me. I pretty much clean the stall, clean out her feet, re-cover in fly spray and head home to my AC. The horses love their fans during the summer!

[imapepper]

If it's above 100, I don't ride. I usually wait until late or ride early from July to October in North Texas. People with indoor/covered arenas are lucky here because under a cover, it can be much cooler.

[meupatdoes]

If I need to drink every 15 minutes - so does my horse!

I really, REALLY agree with this. I think it is an easy shorthand to follow: no drinking unless the horse is also offered water or just came out of his stall.

People tend to fly off the handle and call me a ridiculous martyr who is deliberately making myself uncomfortable to no benefit to the horse, but I DO think it benefits the horse if you decide on a hot day to limit your schooling session to 20 minutes if you can't last longer than that yourself without refreshment, or to simply carry a bucket out to the ring along with your own water bottle so that he also has the option when you take a break.

I do not drink unless and until my horse has the option. This keeps me very inspired to either limit my riding on hot days or alternatively to increase the availability of water by hauling a bucket out.

[magnolia73]

This summer, I have kept it short and sweet on 90 plus days. Simply WTC, a simple exercise or two then a short hack in the shade. Probably 25-30 minute rides, with 5-10 of them spent walking on a shaded hill. Last week it was something like 98, and I said to heck with it. Brought her in, hosed her off and put her back out.

Normally I don't drink- I run in this stuff, and I will offer my horse a drink if I am in the big field by a trough. But you know, if you need a drink, take one. Nothing is sillier than toughing it out, only to be on the ground 5 minutes later dizzy, handing off your horse to be cooled off, looking like you are going to die.

I think a lot depends on what you are used to and what your goals are. If you and your horse are fit, and have worked all summer- by all means, go do a XC clinic. If you are in northern Michigan and it is 95 and humid, and the rest of the summer has been 75 and breezy, maybe not so good of an idea to go nuts.

[mep0726]

I generally try to get up and ride early in the morning, around 7 or 8 AM, when it is still in the 70 - 80 degree range. However, if I do have to ride during the day, I only ride if it is below 95 degrees and even then, it is only a short 15 - 20 minute ride.

[make x it x so]

I am glad none of you live in AZ, but feel free to call PITA on us ;)! We ride all summer but are careful and the horses are used to it.

The difference is you guys are USED to the heat. Our horses here in the Northeast aren't as accustomed to 90+ weather, especially this summer when the weather hasn't hit that for more than 2 or 3 days in a row.

My rule of thumb is similar to many others- if it feels "too hot" to me, I either don't ride, or I keep it short. Even though my horse probably has a much better heat tolerance than I do, I don't want to ride him if I'm not feeling well from the heat because it's not fair to him because I obviously won't be riding very well.

At the show this past weekend, it was in the low 90s and HUMID. I was sweating buckets (yay wool blazers and long-sleeved shirts!), but I didn't scratch because there was enough breeze for me to feel okay while I was riding. I made sure my horse had access to water pretty much all day before I got on/schooled so that he wouldn't get dehydrated, and once he was cool I offered him more (wasn't very thirsty, so I guess I did a good job!). In fact, as a demonstration of how okay he felt, he decided to get fresh in one of my o/f classes with a little head tossing and a rather enthusiastic lead change. I also hosed him several times throughout the day. For myself, I drank 64 oz of gatorade and several bottles of water, and still felt fine (albeit hot and tired) by the end of the day.

So basically, there is no set rule as to when it is okay to ride a horse in heat because there are a lot of factors that determine what effect the heat will have on horse and rider.

[rabicon]

When the temp plus the humidity subtract wind is over 180 I don't ride, its just to dangerous. Over 130 I will ride but I don't work him to hard and I try to ride when the sun is going down. It to hard for a horse to cool themselves when the humidity is that high. Riding when its hot is one thing but when you have high humidity is another. The comment about glad we don't live in AZ is crazy. AZ you don't have the humidity we have in GA. The horse can ride in 100degrees and can sweat and cool themselves but when you factor in humidity is a different story.

[bizbachfan]

here in florida afternoon is actually when the humidity is lower, but of course its very hot, also it thunderstorms in the afternoon. Try to ride really early or late but lately have just been riding only once a week for 30 mins or less, just too hot and my TB sweats just standing in the pasture poor thing, can't wait for fall!!

[see u at x]

I would much rather ride early in the mornings if the barn wasn't 45 minutes from my house and I then had a 45-60 minute commute into DC. Ugh. On weekends, I will sometimes ride REALLY late at night...like starting at 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. or so. That's usually only if I've taken a nap during the day and don't have anywhere else to be the next morning, however. The last couple of weeks, I've barely done any riding because the heat simply zaps me.

Last night, I went out to the barn to ride, but as soon as I put my horse in cross ties, she started sweating like crazy. I gave her a quick groom, checked out some saddles to see how well they fit her, gave her some carrots and then put her back out into the field. It was miserable for both of us. I can deal with higher temps and lower humidity or higher humidity and lower temps, but anything over 90 degrees with high humidity does me in. :no:

[Carnelian]

When the temp plus the humidity subtract wind is over 180 I don't ride, its just to dangerous. Over 130 I will ride but I don't work him to hard and I try to ride when the sun is going down. It to hard for a horse to cool themselves when the humidity is that high. Riding when its hot is one thing but when you have high humidity is another. The comment about glad we don't live in AZ is crazy. AZ you don't have the humidity we have in GA. The horse can ride in 100degrees and can sweat and cool themselves but when you factor in humidity is a different story.

This formula was passed along on an yahoo email group I subscribe to. I'm in South Texas, am used to the past two months of 100 degree days, but admit I'm a weenie who rides in the 100 degree weather in an indoor. I couldn't handle it in the sun without a good breeze, which, fortunately, we do have quite often.

==============

HOT WEATHER RULES FOR RIDING
With the heat index increasing and the humidity as heavy as it is, be
sure to watch your horses.

If your total adds up to 180 or above don't ride, if it is 130-170 use
caution, 130 or below ride!

Determine: Temperature (F) + relative humidity (%) – wind speed
For example:
Temperature (F) 79
Relative Humidity (%) 58
Wind Speed 4.6 (MPH)
Answer = 132.4

Less than 130: All go—horses can function to cool themselves assuming
adequate hydration.
130 – 179: Caution—a horse's cooling mechanisms can only partially
function as intended. Some cooling management procedures will need to
be performed.
180 or above: Stop—a horse's cooling systems cannot and will not
function adequately. All cooling procedures will need to be utilized

So if the temp is 90 degrees or above and Humidity is 90 or above - DONT GO!

=================

The above is verbatim from the email I got...not my words. I heed the advice as it's all I have to go on regardless of riding in the indoor since the indoor blocks the breeze sometimes. Sometimes the wind's cooling effects trumps the indoor's shade, and I ride in the outdoor. During the week my schedule forces me in the saddle at 5 or 6 pm--still 100 degrees. I'm on my horse's back by 8 am on the weekends.

[SarahandSam]

I've been a little wimpier about it this summer because it's been such a cool, rainy summer that I feel like nobody's as prepared for really hot weather, including the horses. The hot spell of a couple days we just had broke this morning, so I'm heading to the barn in a bit... the first day of the heat wave I rode for about 15 minutes, w/t and a little canter, because I had a new saddle and wanted to see the sweat marks--didn't take long to get those! Second day I went for a trail ride, walk only. Third day I had a lesson and all lessons that day were really simple--no jumping, working on shoulder in at a walk and a little trot, and a little canter work over poles. Past two days my horse has had off.

I figure if it's too hot for me to get into my non-air-conditioned car and drive to the barn, it's too hot to ride. (:

[kellyb]

To me it depends more on humidity & breeze (or lack there of) than just pure heat. If it's 95, dry with a breeze, I'm totally fine. But heck if it's 80 and so sticky I can cut the air with my hand, screw that!

[LSM1212]

Carnelian... thanks for the detailed info. Very interesting.

Personally for me? If the heat index is over 95, I don't ride. Between 85-95, just light work.

So being in hot and humid KY... that means alot of light rides and some days are a complete no go during July and August. We've had a very mild July (record breaking actually) this year so wasn't as much of an issue (though an issue for me since my horse is out of commission... of course). But the typical summer weather is back now.

Via Weather.com for my area right now:

81* (feels like 86*)
Humidity is 77%
6mph wind

So via that calculation the number right now is 152. So in the caution range. And it's not even 12 noon!

During the week, I can't ride in the AM. So I have to ride after work in the heat. But on weekends I go earlier and I'm usually done by lunchtime.

Now on the flip side, I don't ride when it's really cold either. So if the temp (including wind chill) is below freezing (32*).. nope. Between 32* and 45* (including wind chill again) I do light work. Above 45*... regular work. So this is usually late December to end of February or so.

Works for me.... 2 months in the summer and 2 months in the winter with just light work. Gives me and my horse a break since I don't stop riding him completely in the winter (or the summer).

[indygirl2560]

Around 100. There was a show last month that ran in 110 degree weather. It was ridiculous. By lunch they finally excused jackets but they were still running classes at 113 degrees! Two horses passed out from getting so dehydrated. It was really bad.

[Rescue_Rider9]

If I start sweating while walking from the house to the pasture then I dont ride! haha I usually stick to riding in the early morning (betwen 5 and 8) and the late afternoon(6-8) usually give me plenty of time to work all my horses. Saturdays I ride all day though unless, like I said, I start sweating walking to the pasture!

[bizbachfan]

Arizona heat is different that the humid south and the heat plus humidity minus wind is the way to go to determine if its okay to ride and also I agree about horses being able to drink as well.

[hellerkm]

As of today its too hot, kid was crying, pony was miserable we quit! Its just too hot. Tomorrow we will ride in the evening when the ring is shaded. Maybe that will help.Even I lost my patience, its just too hot! and this comes from someone who LOVES summer I really do, but I am happier today here at the house with the windows open and sitting on the porch reading a book, its just too hot to do much more than that!

[LookinSouth]

A heat index over 100 isn't pleasant for riding to me so on very hot/humid days I try to ride before 9am. If I can't get to the barn at that time I go the barn in shorts and tank top, hose off my horse and let him hang out grazing for awhile. Me? I grab a popsicle from the lounge freezer and sit in the shade. Save the riding for days we both won't be suffering.

I hate hot and sticky weather, I much prefer dealing with the cold.