Riding horses in this extreme HEAT!!

I read an article about when its too hot to ride. It said its more the humidity than the actual temperature. If its humid the horses sweat won't dry and cool the body (same with humans) It was 107 here yesterday and suppose to be about the same today. We ride in the mornings only. I like to be heading out just as the sun is coming up and home by 9-10 before it starts to heat up. By afternoon the horses are covered in sweat and ready to come into the lean to. I wouldn't have the heart to make them carry me when its that hot. I can barely carry myself

You are so right, my friend who does endurance riding always points that out, humidity has so much to do with how the horses feel and cool down, I would say early am, late pm and light work is best for 90s and up

If your horse is conditioned for it, if there'll be water and shade available, and the if the humidity is low--yes, you can ride.

Here's a good rule of thumb someone posted at my old forum:

Add heat and humidity together.

If the total is below 120 ride in your usual way.
If the total is 120-180, take some care (shade, water, maybe a sponge to sponge him off at streams, ride more slowly)
If the total is above 180--do not ride.

So...70 degrees, 30% humidity = 100, no worries

70 degrees, 80% humidity = 150, ride with care
(this is actually what it was like one day early in the summer--and frankly, I'm never riding in 80% humidity again, ever!)

90 degrees, 90% humidity = 180, don't ride.

So 110 degrees with humidity of between 10 and 50%, you could ride with care.

Ride before 8 am or after 7 pm, that helps, too.

Oh gosh! I wouldnt be able to ride from... May to Sept/Oct!!!!

Thanks so much for that Arrow I read that in the article but my husband got rid of the magazine. I couldnt remember the formula they used. I'm going to copy that info and keep it in my special horse stuff file

No problem, Vidaloco--bottom number might be 130 instead of 120, but at any rate, the important one is 180! I'd probably lower that to 170 myself.

Excellent info!!!! Thanks !!!

I keep a bright yellow folder near the computer. Its marked Horse Stuff! LOL... I'm printing and putting a copy in my folder too!!!

Just doublechecked it--and it was posted by Mack Truck (yeah Mack Truck!), and the bottom number is indeed 130 rather than 120.

Heat plus humidity = 130 or less, ride normally
Heat plus humidity = 130 to 180, ride with care
Heat plus humidity = 180 or over, do not ride

Sorry I had that first number wrong. Mack Truck's info said to subtract wind speed, but I think it's more useful just to add heat and humidity to be on the safe side. Actually the original said 130 to 170, so 170 to 180 got left off...

All right, now that everyone's thoroughly confused...

That same formula was printed last summer in the Trail Rider magazine. I should have saved it back then