How you tackle sponging or spraying should ultimately depend upon the temperature on the day. On a very hot day, you want to disperse the heat as fast as you reasonably can. That could call upon an all-over application of cooler water.
The balance of opinion now appears in favour of cold-water cooling in hot conditions, even to the extent of the addition of ice. It has been used at the highest levels of equestrian sport, although some still argue it carries the risking of tying up, although there is little or no evidence to support the assertion.
The general view is that the quick cooling of horses in hot weather significantly reduces the risk of heat stress and the animals will recover quicker.
The water should be applied all over, with a focus on the big muscle groups, which are likely to be holding the most heat.
The pros use two people with buckets of water and sponges, applying the water to each side. They normally do so for only 30 seconds or so, before allowing the horse to continue walking off the heat.
Some prefer to scrape off excess water before the next application, but most agree that the most important thing is to keep applying water.
Don't use bags of ice. The extreme cold may well construct bloodflow in the immediate area and, if kept on long enough, is liable to cause pain or discomfort.
Placing cold, wet towels over rump or neck is now largely discredited as an efficient means of cooling. The problem is that the towel and water quickly warm up, at which time it is actually hindering the cool process. You're best to keep applying cool water.
The application of water has another added benefit. It will stop the animal's sweating quicker, meaning it will end up less dehydrated.
After you've walked your horse for a few minutes, you can stop briefly for a quick sponge bath or spraying. But then keep moving again. It's crucial to the horse warming down properly. If you have a helper, perhaps they can use a bucket and sponge to cool the horse as you walk.
Respiration and heart rates returning to close to normal are a clear sign your horse has just about cooled down.
The other big issue to consider is food and drink. Your horse will understandably be thirsty and will have lost a lot of body salts (electrolytes), too.
A big, cold drink of water straight after exercise could well spell trouble for your horse. Bear in mind that its digestive system will have largely shut down during exercise. The last thing its stomach needs is a big, cold delivery of water.
Too much water could trigger colic. It may also cause muscle cramps if the horse diverts blood back to the digestive system to handle the water. Laminitis is a further risk through mechanisms not yet fully understood.
Naturally, you wouldn't want to deprive your horse of water. It's only sensible to allow the horse to start replacing lost fluid. However, it needs to be done a little at a time and often.
As the animal cools it is better placed to divert blood back to the gut, and handle the water intake. Until that's the case, a lot of water can prove dangerous.
 Endurance events challenge horses, riders and grooms. |
Your horse will benefit from dissolved electrolytes, too. However, always have plain water available, too, as it may quickly tire of the former and reject it.
The same rules and reasoning behind limiting water apply to food. A few mouthfuls of grass or hay would be fine, but you don't want the gut firing up until the animal has dealt with its excess heat.
Cooling a horse can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more. A gentle rub of his muscles will help with circulation and ease any residual tightness.
Don't return the horse to its paddock with a water trough until you're satisfied the animal has rehydrated to your satisfaction.
Check on the horse 15 to 20 minutes after you're satisfied he's cooled down sufficiently. If he's sweating again, get him walking again. The sweating is likely to have resulted from some residual heat in the muscles.
You can check your horse's hydration by pinching up 1cm or so of skin and releasing it. If it doesn't fall back into place instantly, there's a chance you horse remains dehydrated.
Riders can apply a few other practical measures that are likely to make things easier for their horse.
Where possible, transport your horse to the venue early, before the heat of the day. Horse boxes and floats can get very hot. The last thing you want to do is arrive with a horse that's already sweaty and hot.
Allow your horse to drink until 30 minutes before the start of the event. Any ingested water will not stay in the stomach long. Be sure to give you horse plenty of opportunities to drink if it doesn't have ready access to a supply.
And remember, if it's hot, you horse should need a shorter warm-up before competition.
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