Cool out your horse in cold weather

 

Winter can pose several dilemmas for equine care – one of which is cooling out after exercise. We want to keep our horses fit, motivated, and healthy through exercise, but afterward, we have a sweaty horse that may or may not take hours to dry and cool off.

 

jump to shopping

 

The TWO reasons to cool out your horse are:

 

  • Return your horse’s body temperature to normal slowly and safely.

 

  • Dry him off.

 

 

sweaty-horse-winter

Sweaty horses that have winter coats are more likely to overheat during exercise, and take a long time to cool out and dry.

 

 

  • Cooling off is a great way to unwind after an exercise session with your horse. Muscles can relax, his breathing can return to normal, and the heat generated during exercise can slowly dissipate, and his body temperature can return to normal. This is the key element in cooling off, learn more about TPR here.

 

  • In the winter, the cold outside air can make his time after exercise fairly uncomfortable unless we intervene. Think about going for a run in shorts and a tank top while it’s chilly, working up a sweat, and then standing outside in the cold. Not fun.

 

 

There are a few things to consider when cooling off a horse in winter.

 

  • One is his hair coat – clipped or unclipped or partially clipped?

 

  • Two is his level of sweatiness – very, not at all, or somewhere in between?

 

  • Three is the climate you live in – is it sub-zero at high noon, or are you in short sleeves during the day?

 

  • Four – do you need to put his blankets back on him when you are done with exercise?

 

I’m a big fan of having a clip job that is appropriate for a horse’s activity level and climate.

 

  • If you live in South Florida and your horse is a wooly unclipped beast and you train hard, your cool-out time is going to be years longer than a clipped horse in the same environment.

 

 

horse-sweat-short-coat

This short hair coat will not take long to dry.

 

 

One easy way to cool off your horse in winter is to use coolers – wool or fleece – to help him dry and keep him warmer as his muscles cool off.

 

  • There are many styles, thicknesses, and colors to choose from. A cooler on a clipped horse will help keep him warm as he acclimates to the “room temperature” and a cooler on an unclipped horse will help him dry, although remember that the sweat starts at the skin and moves outward, so this drying time will be crazy long.

 

  • At some point, you should be able to remove a cooler on a fuzzy horse and let him dry. In the sun is best, unless of course it’s crazy cold and the sweat that remains starts to look like baby icicles.

 

 

cool-out-horse-cold-weather

Using a quarter sheet during cold weather can help your horse cool down, and makes for a happy and comfortable hack out after exercise.

 

 

I’m always an advocate of removing tack, throwing on an appropriate cooler, and going for a long hand walk for cooling out.

 

  • This is great for bonding, cooling out, and stretching the muscles. You can also help the process along by using a solarium or doing some muscle massage with towels and/or coolers.

 

 

horse-coolers

Wool and fleece coolers are awesome. For help deciding which to buy and use, read this gem.

 

 

If you need to put his pajamas or day sheets back on after you exercise your horse, please be sure he is totally dry and his body temperature has returned to normal.

 

  • Sheets on a damp horse = still damp horse and now also damp sheet. Plan accordingly. I am not opposed to putting on a cooler (or two) with leg straps and checking them every 20 minutes as your horse is turned out or in a stall. I am not a fan of doing this unsupervised or without many, many checks on how he is drying.

 

  • Putting a blanket over a cooler will result in a damp cooler sitting on his body until the cooler is removed. I have seen owners do this, and several hours later the cooler is still there and still wet. Much like putting on wet long john underwear and then your clothes over that and standing in the cold.

 

  • Remember the purpose of cooling your horse out – keep your horse dry and help his temperature return to normal.

 

Happy winter riding!

 

go-shopping

 

Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

iProven Pet Thermometer for Accurate Fever Detection
$14.97 $9.97

Every horse owner needs a digital thermometer for fast and accurate vital signs

12/10/2024 06:08 am GMT

HORZE Vail Square Wool Cooler
$124.99

Old School Cooler!

12/10/2024 04:28 am GMT
HORSEWARE Ireland Rambo Deluxe Fleece Blanket
$158.79

A classic pattern in a modern colorway. And it's so thick!

12/10/2024 10:43 pm GMT
CENTAUR Original Irish Knit Sheet
$74.95

Soak up all the sweat and water with this Irish Knit, best for warm weather use.

12/10/2024 07:09 am GMT
CENTAUR Original Irish Knit Sheet
$74.95

Irish knits are the best wicking coolers for warmer weather.

12/10/2024 07:09 am GMT
HORZE Vail Square Wool Cooler
$124.99

Square coolers are traditional and versatile, and wick more than a fleece cooler.

12/10/2024 04:28 am GMT
High Spirit Fleece Quarter Sheet, Black/Grey
$93.59

Keep your horse's bum warm!

12/10/2024 11:18 am GMT
12/10/2024 10:40 am GMT
Harrison Howard Quarter Horse Fleece and Mesh Exercise Sheet
$44.99

Be seen from space with this hi-viz quarter sheet. Keep your horse's bum safe and dry.

12/10/2024 10:58 am GMT
12/10/2024 09:04 am GMT
WeatherBeeta Anti-Static Fleece Cooler Combo Neck, Maroon/Grey/White
$99.95

Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying.

12/10/2024 07:00 am GMT

HandsOn Finishing Gloves - Double Sided
$19.99

The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products.

12/10/2024 05:33 am GMT
Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

12/10/2024 05:47 am GMT
12/10/2024 03:07 am GMT
Farnam Slick 'N Easy Horse Grooming Block
$8.99

Good for grooming, shedding, and bot egg removal

12/10/2024 04:28 am GMT
BRUSH FACE WHITE GOAT HAIR
$9.99

For faces, ears, and any place your horse needs a softer brush.

12/10/2024 07:58 pm GMT
USG H.A.A.S Haas Diamond Gloss
$27.08

Sort of a mix between a finishing brush and a body brush. Soft for sensitive horses.

12/10/2024 11:18 pm GMT
Jeffers Horse Face Brush
$17.43

This brush is luxury and will help your horse shine!

12/10/2024 11:18 pm GMT
Huntley Equestrian Deluxe Grooming Bag
$59.99

Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote.

12/11/2024 01:53 am GMT
H.A.S HAAS Mould Horse Brush Large Silver, Medium
$23.00 $18.84

Boost shine and create a smooth coat with this medium brush from the best of the best - HAAS. Go forth and shine!

12/10/2024 09:13 pm GMT
12/10/2024 10:29 am GMT
Wet Brush Shower Hair Brush Detangler
$13.79 $7.00

Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.

12/10/2024 10:53 am GMT
Electric Cleaner Co Rapid Groom Horse Vacuum
$605.00

It's always satisfying to vacuum your horse!

12/10/2024 05:55 am GMT
HANDSON Pet Grooming Gloves - Grooming, Bathing, Shedding
$16.99

These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.

12/10/2024 05:47 am GMT

WAHL Professional Animal Bravura Cordless Trimmers
$199.99

This cordless trimmer is powerful and comes with the 5-in-2 blade system for versatility.

12/11/2024 02:58 am GMT
Wahl Professional Animal KMC+ 2-Speed Cordless Clipper Kit
$299.99

This is my favorite clipper - It's great for body clipping, trace clipping, and trimming. Cordless for the win!

12/10/2024 07:48 pm GMT

HORZE Vail Square Wool Cooler
$124.99

Old School Cooler!

12/10/2024 04:28 am GMT
HORSEWARE Ireland Rambo Deluxe Fleece Blanket
$158.79

A classic pattern in a modern colorway. And it's so thick!

12/10/2024 10:43 pm GMT
Kensington Protective Fly Boots (Pair)
$39.85

Banish the stomping!

12/10/2024 09:53 pm GMT
CENTAUR Original Irish Knit Sheet
$74.95

Soak up all the sweat and water with this Irish Knit, best for warm weather use.

12/10/2024 07:09 am GMT
CENTAUR Original Irish Knit Sheet
$74.95

Irish knits are the best wicking coolers for warmer weather.

12/10/2024 07:09 am GMT
HORZE Vail Square Wool Cooler
$124.99

Square coolers are traditional and versatile, and wick more than a fleece cooler.

12/10/2024 04:28 am GMT
Weaver Leather CoolAid® Equine Cooling Blanket
$151.99

Help your horse cool out in hot and humid weather.

12/11/2024 12:48 am GMT
12/10/2024 07:34 am GMT
Cashel Quiet Ride Horse Fly Mask with Long Nose and Ears
$31.95 $29.99

This style is great for riding!

12/10/2024 07:28 am GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Black Mesh Sheet
$211.97

The OG of therapeutic blankets.

12/10/2024 11:02 pm GMT
Harrison Howard FocalMax Quarter Horse Exercise Sheet Horse Blanket Hi-Vis Reflective Stripe
$34.99

Keep your horse dry and visible with this reflective quarter sheet.

12/10/2024 03:53 am GMT
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Cozi III Detach-A-Neck Heavy Horse Blanket
$380.05

This heavyweight turnout blanket gets even warmer with the neck.

12/11/2024 03:04 am GMT
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Sweet Itch Shield Combo Neck
$119.99

Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse.

12/10/2024 07:09 am GMT
Schneiders Adjusta-Fit Mosquito Mesh Hybrid
$241.99

For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better.

12/10/2024 03:13 am GMT
Horze Nevada Heavy Weight 1200D Waterproof Horse Winter Turnout Blanket (400g Fill)
$124.99

This affordable heavy blanket will keep your horse warm in the worst weather and cold snap.

12/11/2024 01:33 am GMT
High Spirit Fleece Quarter Sheet, Black/Grey
$93.59

Keep your horse's bum warm!

12/10/2024 11:18 am GMT
Harrison Howard Quarter Horse Fleece and Mesh Exercise Sheet
$44.99

Be seen from space with this hi-viz quarter sheet. Keep your horse's bum safe and dry.

12/10/2024 10:58 am GMT
WeatherBeeta Anti-Static Fleece Cooler Combo Neck, Maroon/Grey/White
$99.95

Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying.

12/10/2024 07:00 am GMT
Tech Equestrian Rain Sheet with Neck Cover | 1200Denier

Keep your horse dry during bad weather, this rain sheet is also great for windy days.

Rub Protector Lycra Fly Mask GG Equine

These fly masks are fantastic for protecting ears and eyes, and do great under halters and grazing muzzles to stop rubs and hairless patches.


Use code 15PROEQUINE for a sitewide discount on muzzles, halters, accessories, and slow feeders.

 

 

Thank you!

Scroll to Top