How Climate Change Affects Horses and the Care They Need
Climate change isn’t just about melting ice caps and rising sea levels—it also affects animals, including our beloved horses. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more extreme, horses face new challenges that can impact their health, comfort, and performance. Whether you own one horse or manage a whole stable, it’s important to understand how climate change affects horses and what changes in care are needed to keep them healthy and happy.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, rainfall, and weather patterns. In many areas, this means hotter summers, colder winters, stronger storms, droughts, and unexpected seasonal changes. These changes don’t just affect the environment—they directly impact how horses live and how we care for them.
How Climate Change Affects Horses
1. Heat Stress and Overheating
One of the biggest challenges is extreme heat. Horses naturally produce a lot of heat when they exercise, and if the weather is also hot, it becomes harder for them to cool down. This can lead to heat stress or even heat stroke.
Signs of heat stress in horses:
- Heavy or no sweating
- Rapid breathing
- High heart rate
- Weakness or collapse
Horses that are older, overweight, or used to cooler climates are at even greater risk.
2. Dehydration
Hotter weather means horses sweat more and lose more water. If they don’t drink enough, they can quickly become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to colic, poor performance, and other health issues.
3. Changes in Forage and Pasture Quality
Climate change affects the land, too. Droughts can dry out grass, reducing the amount of food available in pastures. On the flip side, more rain can cause moldy hay and fungal growth, which can be harmful if eaten. Poor-quality forage means horses may miss out on important nutrients.
4. Increased Risk of Insects and Diseases
Warmer, wetter weather creates the perfect environment for pests like flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. These insects can cause skin irritation and transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus or Lyme disease. New diseases may also spread to areas where they were never seen before, putting horses at higher risk.
5. Respiratory Issues
Dust from dry conditions or mold from wet conditions can irritate a horse’s lungs. Horses kept in barns during extreme weather may breathe in more dust and ammonia, which can cause breathing problems over time. Sudden temperature changes can also trigger respiratory stress.
6. Unpredictable Seasons and Schedules
When winters are unusually warm or springs arrive early, it can confuse a horse’s natural cycles, like shedding their coat. Changes in weather can also affect breeding, performance schedules, and the timing of vaccinations and parasite control.
How to Care for Horses in a Changing Climate
Even though we can’t control the weather, we can take steps to help our horses adapt and stay comfortable in changing conditions.
1. Provide Shade and Shelter
- In hot weather, horses should have access to shade—either from trees, shelters, or barns.
- Fans and good airflow in barns help keep temperatures down.
- In cold or stormy weather, proper shelter helps protect horses from wind, rain, and snow.
2. Ensure Clean, Cool Water is Always Available
- Horses should always have access to fresh, clean water.
- In summer, check and refill buckets often.
- In winter, make sure water doesn’t freeze—heated water buckets or troughs can help.
3. Adjust Workouts Based on Weather
- Avoid working horses during the hottest part of the day.
- Give more frequent breaks and monitor their breathing and sweat levels.
- In colder months, warm up slowly and cool down properly to prevent muscle stiffness.
4. Watch for Changes in Pasture
- Rotate grazing areas and manage pasture health.
- Supplement with hay or other feeds if grass quality drops.
- Test hay for nutrients if you suspect poor quality.
5. Use Fly and Pest Protection
- Fly masks, sprays, and blankets help reduce irritation and disease risk.
- Keep stables clean to discourage pests.
- Talk to your vet about vaccinations and parasite control.
6. Monitor for Health Changes
- Check horses regularly for signs of stress, dehydration, or illness.
- Be aware of unusual behaviors, changes in appetite, or signs of discomfort.
- Regular vet check-ups are more important than ever in a changing climate.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainable Horse Care
Caring for horses in a changing climate also means thinking about how we can reduce our environmental impact. Here are a few small changes that can help:
- Use energy-efficient fans and lighting in barns.
- Collect and reuse rainwater for cleaning or watering plants.
- Recycle feed bags and reduce plastic use.
- Compost manure to enrich soil and reduce waste.