Hot weather: care arrangements and observations

Keep the weather in context

Note the location, date and time. If you keep forecast information, include its source and the period it covers. Label an observation made at the horse’s location separately.

• Where your horse was when someone checked.
• Weather readings actually available, with their units and source.
• Whether the horse was in direct sun or shade, and what shelter was accessible.
• Any exercise or travel that had taken place, with the time.

Keep decisions about exercise or travel with the person or professional responsible for them. A weather reading alone does not establish whether an activity is suitable for your horse.

Make the arrangements practical

Keep the existing care instructions where the person looking after your horse can find them. Include who agreed them and who is responsible for carrying them out.

• Where drinking water is available, how it is supplied and who checks it.
• Which field, shelter or stable is included in the arrangements, and how to access it.
• Any agreed changes to turnout, exercise or travel.
• Any individual instructions from your vet, including their date and contact details.

Record what was actually checked and when. A planned check does not establish that water or shelter was available.

Keep changes clear

When an arrangement changes, record what changed, who agreed it and when it applies. Include an end or review point if one was agreed.

Tell the person affected and establish who will carry out the change. Keep a request separate from their acceptance and from the record of what happened.

Take questions about exercise, travel, feeding or supplements to the professional advising on them. Keep their answer with the instructions it changes.

Record observations for your vet

Describe what you saw and when, using concrete details about behaviour, breathing, sweating, drinking or movement. Include who observed it and any measurements already available, with their units and times.

Keep observations separate from an explanation of their cause. If a vet gives advice, record their instructions and any agreed follow-up alongside the original observation.

Distinguish water being available from seeing your horse drink. If you did not observe something, leave it unknown.