There are a few topics left to factor into the Qudraland.com “trials of summer” issue, with my last blog covering the realities of overheating and my personal experiences with dealing with hyperthermia, sunburn and how to work out the most appropriate time to ride your horse, by factoring in not only the temperature but humidity and wind strength. If you missed the first blog of this series then click here and have a read.

So this brings us to the next instalment, contrary to most articles published on the internet about caring for your horse during summer, rarely can you find ones that focus on the issues that we face in the UAE. While most people are sending their horses out into the paddock to bask in the soft European sunlight, we are at the opposite end of the spectrum with scorching temperatures, sand storms, high winds and humidity (I make it sound so appealing to keep horses here). A common practice here in the UAE is that most owners and trainers keep their horses inside the barns for the majority of the day, some of the lucky horses are let out during the evening hours. While this is a practical solution to heat stroke, overheating, dehydration and sun burn, you will achieve one thing this summer, a very board horse! Who will without a doubt develop those attractive stable vices (swaying, pawing, wood chewing, crib biting, eating the bedding even some horses go as far to pull out their own tail out.)

Are they just bored?

There are simple tricks you can adopt to stop this behaviour from developing in the first place, if you have to keep them inside then try my top two tips: I guarantee that if you implement either one of these you will create a happier horse!