Warm weather! Great for us, but is it just as great for your horse? When the temperature goes beyond your horse\u2019s thermoneutral zone, extra support is needed to help dissipate heat effectively. In the thermoneutral zone (TNZ), a horse doesn\u2019t need to make an effort to maintain its core body temperature (36\u201337 \u00b0C). The TNZ depends on your horse\u2019s age and condition \u2014 and whether it\u2019s been clipped. For an unclipped horse, this zone lies between -5 and +15 \u00b0C. A clipped horse feels most comfortable between 10 and 20 \u00b0C. This applies to adult horses used to moderate temperatures. CoolSens doesn\u2019t just cool \u2014 it also gives a beautiful shine.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead to a busy summer season? Take a close look at your horse\u2019s feed ration. Whatever your goals may be, your horse can\u2019t perform without the right nutrients. When training intensity increases, your horse needs more energy and protein to build fitness and support muscle recovery. More intense training also leads to more and heavier sweating \u2014 which means your horse loses electrolytes faster. Especially on hot days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Cavalor Electroliq Balance<\/a><\/strong> or Cavalor Electrolyte Balance<\/a><\/strong>, you can replenish lost electrolytes and support proper recovery. The ideal time to give electrolytes is shortly after exercise. You can also give them up to 1.5 hours before exercise, but administering them immediately after yields the best results. This way, minerals are not lost, and your horse\u2019s reserves are quickly replenished. Want to make sure your horse gets enough fluids and electrolytes on hot days? Use Cavalor Mash & Mix<\/a><\/strong> to mix in the electrolytes. Or use Cavalor Sportmash Recup<\/strong><\/a>, a protein-rich mash for recovery after exercise. It includes electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride) to replenish loss after sweating. Tasty for your horse, and great for recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may seem obvious, but having a set routine for caring for your horse gives you a solid foundation and helps you spot subtle changes in your horse\u2019s health. For example, check your horse\u2019s manure daily as an indicator of gut health. With good digestion, a horse produces rounded, smooth manure balls without long roughage fibers \u2014 abnormal manure can signal digestive issues. Also regularly measure your horse\u2019s temperature. This is the only way to know what\u2019s normal for your horse, so you can recognize a real fever. Just like in humans, baseline body temperature varies per horse. All the tips we\u2019ve mentioned for horses also apply to you as a rider. Don\u2019t start too fast \u2014 give your body time to adapt to the heat. Eat and drink enough, and exercise in moderation. If you expect your horse to be in peak shape, your horse can expect the same from you. Right? P.S. Did you know that you can also use Cavalor FreeBute Gel<\/a><\/strong> on yourself for sore muscles?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at a busy season? Adjusting your horse\u2019s feed ration may be necessary. Build it up gradually over the course of a month. First and foremost, make sure your horse has access to fresh, ample water and good forage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horses in increased training need more energy and protein \u2014 for fitness building and muscle repair. You can supplement your horse\u2019s ration with a fat-rich balancer such as Cavalor WholeGain<\/a><\/strong>. Fat-rich feeds provide long-lasting energy, so your horse doesn\u2019t have to tap into its reserves during training. This allows you to build fitness while also supporting muscle development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your horse\u2019s muscle development lagging behind? Support it with Cavalor Muscle Force<\/a><\/strong> to aid in building muscle mass. During build-up training, your horse\u2019s tendons and joints will also be under more strain again. If your horse is sensitive in those areas, Cavalor Arti Matrix<\/a><\/strong> can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re training for the Grand Prix or just enjoying a ride at home, a good cooldown (at least 10 minutes of light trotting) is just as important as warming up. After exercise, your horse\u2019s body needs to gradually return to a resting state. This helps prevent problems and ensures your horse remains a happy athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During exercise, your horse\u2019s heart rate and body temperature rise, and \u2014 during high-intensity exercise \u2014 the blood\u2019s lactic acid level also increases. A proper cooldown allows your horse to eliminate waste products (like lactic acid), relax the muscles, catch its breath, and reduce body temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips for a good cooldown can be found in this video: “How to properly cool down your horse after intense exercise?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Build fitness gradually, allow your horse time to acclimate to rising temperatures (ride early in the morning or late in the evening), and ensure a proper cooldown! Add Cavalor CoolSens<\/a><\/strong> to the water during cooling down to increase and extend the cooling effect. Or use a refreshing shampoo to wash your horse, like Cavalor Refresh Wash<\/a><\/strong>. Ideal for a wash on a hot day or after training where your horse has sweated a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Adjust the feed ration \u2014 and don\u2019t forget the electrolytes!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
3.\u00a0Establish a grooming routine<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, regularly check the temperature of the nose, ears, legs, coronary band, and hooves with your hands. That way, you\u2019ll know what\u2019s normal and can spot potential tendon injuries early. Do you already have a regular health check routine for your horse?<\/p>\n\n\n\n4.\u00a0Don\u2019t forget yourself!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Nutritional advice from our experts: Building up to the summer season and training on hot days<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Ensure a proper cooldown!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n