Your horse or mule isn’t the only one at risk of heat stroke or dehydration.
Riders must take precautions to prevent overheating in summer months. Dehydration can cause dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps, all of which could create a dangerous situation while riding.
These simple steps can help you to avoid a heat-induced disaster.
- Try to schedule your riding times in the morning or evening hours, when the temperatures are less punishing.
- Drink plenty of fluids. For long trail rides, keep a water bottle, or two, in your pommel bags.
- Soak a bandana in water and tie it around your neck. The evaporation will cool you and keep your core body temperature down.
- Wear a hat to keep the sun off your head, and shade your face and neck. Make sure your riding helmet has plenty of ventilation. Cold packs are available that fit inside riding helmets.