I have a concern about what to do with my mare. I have moved her to a new barn where she is now stalled some parts during the day. There are only 6 horses at the barn (including Shiloh) and she is turned out with 2 of them, the other 3 are turned out on another pasture. Since it has been so ridiculously hot, we have been keeping them stalled during the day, then turned out at night. Now, my problem is when Shiloh is stalled during the day, she is DRENCHED with sweat by the time I go turn her out at 5-6pm. She is so wet, it looks like I have turned the hose on her. So what are your opinions?? Should I let her outside to beat the heat and at least get a breeze( there are shady spots in her pasture as well as water) or is it better for her to be inside since its so hot and then out when its cooler? 

I honestly don't know if being out will make a difference.

 My horse has free choice on whether he wants to be in or out of his stall during the day, (they are all on night turnout) and he is soaked with sweat regardless of where he is. I think its more an issue of the terrible humidity slowing down evaporation, hence the reason they feel so wet.

Does your stall have an overhead or box fan? If not, maybe think about adding one to help circulate the air in her stall and aid in evaporative cooling. Other than that, I guess just pray for a long cool Fall right along with me!

I struggle a lot with this too, because both are bad in this kind of heat. I will say, in my experience, a box fan doesn't cut it. We have industrial size fans (they are those grey wired ones that are circular) that blow a lot more air. Without a fan like this, your horse is better off outside. However, my horse has the option to go in or out and often times, he chooses to be in (especially from noon til 4 or 5) He is always sweaty, but far less when he is in a stall with a fan. Flies also make the heat worse..and where I am it is super humid and flies thrive in it. When your horse is inside, if the stall is clean, the flies will be less bothersome.

 

This weather sucks and I am soo ready for it to be fall!!!

It is horrible lately! I have to hose my horse off every day BEFORE I can ride him. Luckily I body clipped him before it got really hot so his hair dries quickly.  I live in Florida and it has been a nightmare for the last month.  In or out, he is just soaked and disgusting by the time I get out there.  Unless you can put two fans or one seriously good one in the stall, just leave her out.  My poor boy has a white nose and I have made myself insane trying to keep it from blistering.  I've also been giving him gatorade, I get a 3 gallon feed bucket and put one scoop in there and fill it with water. He sucks down two of these every night. Poor boy! Must be losing a lot of electrolytes!  There is nothing to be done when it is like this though, except hosing them constantly...

Sometimes if you put a good fan in there your horse will love to stand right in front of it!  They’re smart!  A pasture with access to shaded and cool water (automatic waterers are great for this) and access to shade is a great choice.  Barns can be really muggy and hot so make sure your horse has a fan if the barn isn’t very well ventilated.

I have only lived in Kansas since 2007, but this is the worst summer I've seen.  It has been triple digits for almost two weeks and I find myself praying for fall, as well.  My horses are living on about 10 acres.  We have 40, but we have been so dry, the creek is dry and the only water is on the 10 acres.  I worry they won't come in to drink.  If the lead mare doesn't bring them in, they won't come.  For now, they are close to water, and have access to a lot of shade and their shelter.  I installed a misting system in our 50 foot loafing shed, and they do spend their resting time in the shelter.  It wasn't that expensive, doesn't use a heck of a lot of water, and drops the temp up to 30 degrees.  Very simple to install, and horses love it!

Regarding in or out, if they  have a choice, I find that a bit better.  Personally, I'd rather be outside where the air is circulating, there is shade and cool water.  Fly preditors keep the flies down, and you can use fly masks to keep their eyes protected.  It's almost fall!

Thanks everyone, for your input!! I've been keeping her out as much as possible. Shes in on the inside stalls of the barn, so she doesnt get much air circulation. The outside stalls of the barn have windows that stay open so they get more air(there are no more of these stalls or she would be in one!) I can not wait until fall! Its so hard to find a cooler day to ride now.

You can use a tube of the generic diaper rash stuff with zinc in it....It smells alittle fishy and can get messy but it works to heal the blisters and prevent more....best part its doesn't cost much at those dollar stores....