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  Discussion on Leave Horse Alone in Pasture?
Author Message
Member:
dove2

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2008 - 8:53 pm:

My main riding horse, 6 years old, is HYPP N/H. He has not exhibited muscle tremors except for once when he punctured his groin. Knowing that he should not be stressed unnecessarily, I have not been riding him at all in this debilitating heat. Does anyone have an opinion if it's better to ride or not ride? I could feasibly ride early in the morning or late evening, and he probably would not be upset by the riding - only the stress from the persistent heatwave.

To complicate matters, the adjacent field of horses have been moved to another non-visible pasture, so my one remaining horse ends up quite upset being alone (six year old mare) by hollering and pacing. Or if I ride the mare, then my gelding hollers for her. This is for the duration while I tack up. I can, and do, ride in a grassy field adjacent to their pasture once we've tacked up.

Any suggestions or opinions on whether it's better to desensitize my horses to being left alone for a period of time and continue riding/training during a stressful weather condition (heatwave)? - or not?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - 5:55 am:

The expression of problems with a N/H horse is variable Dove2. Some horses never have trouble while others require special care to prevent episodes. Looking at this from the other direction is that interruptions in normal work loads is a possible HYPP stressor. To know what works best for your horse will be careful trial and error but your lack of problems in the past suggest that careful work during weather stressful times may be OK. We see many that do.
DrO
Member:
dove2

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - 10:36 am:

Thanks, DrO. Both of my horses react to their solitude with lots of neighing and pacing (but not jogging) the fenceline. Do you believe that the stress of being left alone in a field is greater than the stress of high heat and humidity?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 7:27 am:

Too many unknowns and variables for me to judge from here Dove2, this will be different in every case and may even vary with the same horse from day to day.
DrO
Member:
babychop

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 9:59 am:

If you're going to ride (I'm assuming trail here) & worry about the other horse why don't you pony the other horse? I sometimes do that for that very reason. Someone in another post suggested stall mirrors to keep solo horses company with good results as well.
Member:
muffi

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 11:25 am:

Heat and riding... when I lived in AZ I had to worry about that, Some where I read about the factor of 150 - if the combination of the Temperature and the Humidity was over 150 then i would not ride.
i.e. if it was 100 degrees as was common by 8 am in Scottsdale - but the humidity was only 20 which was also common - I would ride. I actually drew a line personally at 140-ish. (total) but then my horses were 1. used to the heat and 2. in great shape.
but it's something worth looking in to -
Dr O. you ever hear of that 150 theory?
Member:
dove2

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 3:31 pm:

Thanks for reminding me of that rule, Muffi. Yes, I have heard that too, and it does make sense to me. Andrea, I've never ponied a horse before but I'd like to learn how to do it (safely). Our trails are probably too narrow for training but I'm definitely going to put that on my list of skills to learn.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 - 6:29 am:

You will find our own heat index formula, which also includes wind speed, at Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Summertime, Caring for Your Horse in the Heat.
DrO
Member:
muffi

Posted on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 - 9:59 pm:

yes Dr O I read your Heat thing - Nice. thanks for that - I never factored in the Wind. SO my factors were more modest or on the high side. but error on the safe side I suspect ! but then there was always the Human comfort factor too - when I was too hot to ride - WE DIDN'T!
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