Category: Blog

Summer in the UAE is no joke – daytime temperatures routinely hit 45°C (113°F) or more. That intense heat demands extra care for our equine companions, whether they’re desert endurance horses, show jumpers, or beloved leisure mounts. Here’s how to keep them cool, healthy, and happy:

Hydration: The Lifeline

• Unlimited, fresh water is non-negotiable. In these temperatures, horses can lose 10–20 L of water in just an hour’s work.
• If you travel with them (to endurance trails or shows), bring their familiar water—they often refuse unfamiliar sources.
• Topped-up electrolytes are essential. Use sport-grade mixes during heavy sweating, and always provide a salt lick in their stable or paddock.

Electrolyte Management

• For light sweating, a salt lick or adding table salt to feed suffices.
• For heavy sweating (endurance rides, training in stables with limited airflow), a dedicated electrolyte supplement, like D&H Electrolytes, post-exercise is invaluable.

Exercise Timing & Cooling

• Ride or train at dawn or after sunset, when it’s coolest.
• Avoid peak sunlight hours (11 am–4 pm).
• Post-workout: hose with cool (not icy) water, especially over the neck and flanks to target major blood vessels. Let your horse air-dry; avoid covering wet.

Shade & Stable Strategy

• Provide UV-reflective shelters in paddocks. Simple is best—open-fronted and well-shaded.
• In stables, use fans if possible and keep doors/windows open for airflow.
• Many riders in the UAE stable horses overnight and keep them indoors during the hottest daytime hours for comfort and sugar-control in pasture.

Sun Protection

• Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen to pale areas—muzzles, whitesocks, blazes, ear tips—at least twice daily.
• Consider light fly sheets or UV-protection gear (sheets, fly masks). Choose breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics designed for Dubai/Abu Dhabi sun.

Flies & Insects

• Blowflies and houseflies proliferate around warmth and moisture in stables.
• Use insect repellents such as Equi-Care’s Citronel, and remove manure promptly. Having a bottle of Equi-Care’s Equi Clean can be useful when you need to clean stains without having to bathe them completely.
• Employ fan systems in stables to deter insects naturally.

Heatstroke – Know the Signs

• Look for rapid breathing/pulse, lethargy, excess sweating or dry coat, wobbly gait.
• If suspected:
  1. Move them to shade or a cool stable.
  2. Hose with cool—not cold—water, especially chest and flanks.
  3. Offer small sips of water with electrolytes.
  4. Contact your vet immediately.

Final Takeaways

• Prioritize hydration, shade, and ventilation.
• Think timing—early morning or evening work is safest.
• Treat sunburn protection as a daily habit.
• Monitor for heat stress—and act fast if you see warning signs.

By adapting routines to match UAE’s intense climate, you can keep your horse comfortable, safe, and performing their best.

When it comes to horse comfort and stable hygiene, choosing the right bedding is essential. Extreme Volume Wood Shavings, made from 100% virgin pine and carefully heat-treated, offer a premium solution that promotes well‑being—inside and out.

Why Choose Extreme Volume?

1. 100% Dust-Free for Healthier Breathing

Traditional bedding often produces airborne dust and allergens that can compromise respiratory health in both horses and handlers. Extreme Volume Wood Shavings undergo a dust-extraction process to ensure minimal particulates—a key factor for horses prone to asthma, COPD, or allergies.

2. Hygienically Treated to Be Bacteria-Free

These shavings are kiln-dried at 90 °C, a process that eliminates bacteria and harmful spores. The result is a clean, sanitary bedding layer—reducing the risk of infections and improving stable conditions.

3. Big Flakes = Softer, Joint-Friendly Support

Unlike fine shavings that compact, the large flake structure of Extreme Volume means a fluffy, resilient bed that encourages horses to lie down and rest comfortably. This helps to unload their joints and back, especially after a long day’s work .

4. Minimises Ammonia Build-up

Quality bedding absorbs urine and neutralises ammonia, which can irritate skin and hooves. The superior absorption characteristics of Extreme Volume help protect against respiratory irritation and hoof damage.

5. Supports Hoof Health

Large shavings retain a natural moisture balance at the surface—preventing hooves from drying and cracking. This helps maintain hoof integrity and lowers the risk of splits or brittleness.

---

Technical Specs That Matter

• Material: Virgin pine, sourced from certified lumber
• Kiln-Dried: At 90 °C to sanitise and remove moisture
• Bale Size: Typically 17–18 kg per bale of uniform quality
• Competitive Use: Trusted in show yards and professional stables

---

Real Results from Real Stables

Stable owners report noticeable improvements: reduced respiratory issues, fewer hoof complaints, and happier, more relaxed horses. The plush bedding encourages stall rest, giving joints and muscles a chance to recover naturally.

---

How to Use & Maximise Value

1. Start with a thick layer — about 8–10 cm deep for max cushioning.
2. Daily spot-clean to remove manure and extra-soiled sections.
3. Top up weekly to maintain depth; full replacement every 2–3 weeks depending on use.
4. Monitor moisture—thanks to high absorbency, Extreme Volume often needs less frequent full changes, saving you money in the long run.

---

Order Now & Boost Your Barn’s Comfort

Upgrade your stable with Extreme Volume Wood Shavings—engineered for peak comfort and cleanliness.

If you’re aiming for a top-tier, health-conscious bedding solution, Extreme Volume Wood Shavings deliver. From the dust-free, bacterial safety of kiln treatment to the joint-friendly plushness of large flakes, your horses deserve the best. Try them today—your horses will thank you for the restful nights and happy mornings.

When we think about equine health, nutrition, exercise, and hoof care often take centre stage. But a horse’s mane and tail are more than just decorative—these long locks play an important role in comfort, protection, and overall well-being. Whether your horse is out in the paddock, in competition, or simply a beloved companion, keeping the mane and tail healthy is an essential part of responsible horse care.

Protection from the Elements

The mane and tail act as natural barriers. A horse’s long tail helps swat away flies and insects, providing relief and reducing the risk of bites, irritation, and even disease. The mane, especially the forelock, protects the eyes and face from sun, wind, and rain. When these areas are dry, tangled, or matted, their ability to serve this protective function is compromised.

A Window into Overall Health

Just like a dull coat might indicate a nutritional deficiency or underlying issue, brittle or thinning hair can be a sign that your horse needs more targeted grooming or a tweak in care. A healthy mane and tail are typically soft, full, and strong—and keeping them that way means paying attention not just to what goes into your horse’s body, but also to how you care for it externally.

The Role of Regular Grooming

Frequent grooming helps stimulate circulation at the base of the mane and tail, encouraging growth and distributing natural oils along the hair shaft. Brushing out tangles gently and consistently helps prevent breakage, while also giving you a chance to check for signs of irritation, ticks, or other issues. Consistency matters—a neglected tail can quickly become matted, uncomfortable, and even painful to detangle.

Clean Hair is Healthy Hair

Dirt, sweat, and skin oils can build up in the tail and mane, attracting insects and making the hair more likely to break or tangle. Washing with a mild, balanced shampoo helps remove debris while protecting the skin’s natural barrier. Clean, conditioned hair is softer, easier to manage, and less prone to knots.

---

Support Healthy Growth with the Right Products

To make grooming easier and more effective, many horse owners turn to gentle, high-performance products like those from Equi‑Care. Their Balanced Shampoo is designed to cleanse deeply without stripping away the natural oils that keep skin and hair healthy. It’s ideal for routine washing or targeted spot cleaning and leaves the coat and mane feeling soft, clean, and nourished.

Follow up with Shine & Bright, Equi‑Care’s conditioning polish and detangler. Just a light spray on a dry mane or tail helps smooth out knots, reduce breakage, and create a beautiful, natural shine. It also repels dust and dirt—keeping your grooming efforts lasting longer between sessions.

---

Healthy Hair, Happy Horse

Caring for your horse’s mane and tail isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a small act that supports your horse’s comfort, health, and happiness. With thoughtful products and consistent grooming, you’ll help your horse feel its best while deepening the bond you share.

Explore Balanced Shampoo | Shop Shine & Bright

Dodson & Horrell’s Head of Nutrition, Dr. Stephanie Wood – focussing on the importance of fibre in your horse’s diet, especially through the colder months.

Fibre has multiple roles in keeping the horse healthy and should form the basis of their diet. This is especially important when there is less grass available and there is an increased energy demand. As grass intake reduces, the feeding of other fibre sources should increase.

The benefits of fibre come from its complex structure. Fibre promotes chewing and the production of saliva, which helps to keep the stomach functioning correctly. Fibre also provides a food source to the trillions of microbes in the horse’s hindgut. These microbes are essential for the hindgut to function correctly and thrive when multiple fibre sources are fed. Microbial fermentation of fibre generates energy for the horse to use, and heat that keeps the horse warm from the inside.

Hay, haylage, chaff and high-fibre feeds are all good sources of fibre, however, they can be difficult for those with dental issues to chew. Partial hay replacers are concentrated sources of fibre that are easier to eat, usually in the form of a nut that can be soaked. High Fibre Nuts are the ideal partial hay replacer as they provide a blend of multiple fibre sources in a low energy formulation. They can be fed dry or soaked, allowing you to tailor feeding to your horse’s specific taste.

For horses and ponies prone to gaining weight it is easy to think that they don’t need any feed. This is true for energy, however, they still need fibre for digestive function and vitamins, minerals, and proteins for general health. Slim Down provides these essential nutrients in combination with a range of fibre sources, including oat husks. Oat husks are similar in fibre level to straw but softer and easier to eat, making them suitable for all. Slim Down is low in energy, starch, and sugar and has a high feeding rate, allowing you to feed a larger portion that promotes that full feeling.