Too Hot to Ride? Recognizing Heat Stress in Horses and Staying Safe in Jordan's Summer

Jordan's summer is not forgiving. Between June and September, temperatures in Amman regularly reach 35–38°C, while the Jordan Valley and eastern plains can exceed 42°C. Add direct sunlight, dry desert winds, and the physical effort of riding — and you have the perfect conditions for one of the most underestimated dangers in equestrian sport: heat stress.

Most Arabic equestrian content focuses on riding technique, training, and stable management. Heat stress — the point where a horse's body can no longer cool itself fast enough — is rarely discussed in depth, yet it is a genuine emergency that can kill within hours if unrecognized.

This guide gives you the knowledge to read your horse before the situation becomes critical.

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How Horses Cool Themselves (And Why Jordan Makes It Harder)

Horses cool their bodies primarily through sweating. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it carries heat away from the body — the same mechanism humans use. But horse sweat contains electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium), not just water, which is why horses lose far more than fluid when they sweat heavily.

Here is the key variable: evaporation efficiency depends on humidity. In a dry climate like Jordan's, sweat evaporates rapidly, which actually makes the cooling process more efficient at rest. But during exercise in full sun, heat production can outrun even efficient cooling. The horse generates enormous amounts of heat from muscle work — a galloping horse produces roughly 10–20 times more heat than a resting one.

The combined formula used by equestrians to judge safety is:

Temperature (°C) + Relative Humidity (%) = Heat Index

Result	Risk Level
Below 60	Safe for most horses
60–70	Caution — monitor closely
70–80	High risk — limit intensity, ensure cooling
Above 80	Dangerous — avoid strenuous exercise

In Amman in July: 37°C + 30% humidity = 67 → caution zone every afternoon. In the Jordan Valley in August: 42°C + 25% = 67, but direct sun raises the felt temperature further.

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The Four Stages of Heat Stress: What to Watch For

Heat stress progresses in stages. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to manage. Most riders only notice at Stage 3 — by which point the horse is already in serious distress.

Stage 1 — Early Heat Stress (Act Now)

• Heavy, persistent sweating even after exercise stops
• Breathing rate elevated (above 20 breaths per minute at rest)
• Heart rate remains high for more than 10 minutes after stopping
• Horse feels unusually warm to the touch across the neck and shoulders
• Slight decrease in energy or willingness to move forward

What to do: Stop exercise immediately. Move to shade. Offer water in small amounts. Begin cooling (see below).

Stage 2 — Moderate Heat Stress (Concern)

• Nostrils flaring noticeably at rest
• Skin "tenting" — when you pinch the skin on the neck and release, it returns slowly (more than 2 seconds = dehydration)
• Mucous membranes (gums) pale or tacky instead of moist and pink
• Horse seems dull, less reactive to surroundings
• Unusual coordination issues — slight stumbling

What to do: Aggressive cooling begins. Contact a veterinarian. Do not transport in a hot trailer.

Stage 3 — Severe Heat Stress / Early Heat Stroke (Emergency)

• Temperature above 40°C (104°F) rectally
• Breathing is rapid and laboured (30+ breaths per minute)
• Heart rate extremely high and not decreasing
• Muscle tremors or cramps (especially the abdomen and hindquarters — called "thumps")
• Horse unwilling or unable to walk steadily
• Sunken eyes, very dry gums

What to do: This is a veterinary emergency. Call your vet immediately. Begin emergency cooling without delay — do not wait.

Stage 4 — Heat Stroke (Life-Threatening)

• Temperature above 41°C (106°F)
• Sweating stops — dry, hot skin
• Incoordination, collapse, or seizure
• Dark, strong-smelling urine (muscle breakdown)
• Loss of consciousness

Death can follow within hours without immediate veterinary intervention.

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The "Thumps": A Jordanian Rider's Warning You Should Know

One of the most alarming signs of heat stress that many Arab riders have never heard of is synchronous diaphragmatic flutter — known colloquially as "thumps." It appears as a hiccup-like thumping or shuddering along the horse's flank, in rhythm with the heartbeat rather than breathing.

Thumps are caused by severe electrolyte imbalance — particularly low calcium and potassium from heavy sweating. It signals that the horse's internal chemistry is critically disrupted. If you see or hear thumps, stop all activity and call a vet immediately.

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Emergency Cooling: What Works, What Doesn't

If your horse shows heat stress signs, your priority is to lower core body temperature as fast as possible. Research has reversed some old advice here:

Do:

• Apply cold water directly and continuously to the large muscle groups — neck, back, hindquarters, and inner legs where major blood vessels run close to the surface
• Scrape the water off immediately and reapply — this is crucial. Water sitting on skin heats up quickly and acts as insulation. The cooling comes from the application, not from the water soaking in
• Fan the horse simultaneously if possible — moving air dramatically accelerates evaporation
• Offer small amounts of water to drink frequently — do not let the horse gulp large amounts at once
• Move to shade or a cool, ventilated area

Do Not:

• Do not apply ice packs to the rump or large muscle areas — this causes surface blood vessels to contract, trapping heat inside. If using ice, apply to the head, neck, and behind the ears where it will cool blood going to the brain
• Do not cover the horse with a wet blanket — it traps heat rather than releasing it
• Do not wait for the vet before starting cooling — every minute matters
• Do not offer a full bucket of cold water at once — risk of choke and digestive upset

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How to Know When It Is Safe to Ride

Time of Day

In Jordan's summer, the safest riding windows are:

• Early morning: 5:30 – 8:00 AM — temperature lowest, air still, horses fresh
• Evening: 6:00 – 8:00 PM — after heat of day passes, but check that the horse has had adequate time to cool down from afternoon if it was active

Avoid riding between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM in July and August.

Fitness and Acclimatisation

A horse newly arrived from a cooler region (or returning from winter rest) needs 2–3 weeks of gradual heat exposure to acclimatise. During this period, its sweating efficiency and cardiovascular response to heat adapt. Push a non-acclimatised horse in Jordanian summer heat and you dramatically increase risk.

Older horses, obese horses, horses with thick coats, and horses with respiratory issues are at significantly higher risk in hot weather.

After Transport

Never exercise a horse immediately after long-distance transport in summer. The stress of transport — confinement, limited airflow, anxiety — raises core temperature before you even begin. Allow at least 30–60 minutes of rest in shade with access to water before any exercise.

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Electrolytes: The Missing Piece

Water alone is not enough when a horse sweats heavily in Jordan's summer. Sweat strips the body of electrolytes — sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium — that regulate muscle function, nerve signals, and fluid balance.

Signs of electrolyte depletion overlap significantly with heat stress: weakness, muscle tremors, loss of appetite, thumps.

How to Supplement:

• Table salt (sodium chloride): 1–2 tablespoons added to feed or dissolved in a second water bucket. Never add salt to the only water source — the horse must be able to choose.
• Commercial electrolyte powder: Available at most veterinary suppliers in Jordan. Follow package dosing; do not over-supplement.
• Natural sources: Fresh green forage (if available) naturally provides potassium. Most Jordanian horses receive dry feed year-round — supplementation becomes more important in this context.

Always ensure free access to fresh, clean water when supplementing electrolytes.

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Checking Vital Signs: Know Your Horse's Normal

You cannot recognise abnormal until you know normal. Spend five minutes checking your horse's vital signs on a cool morning and record them. Compare in hot weather.

Measurement	Normal Range	How to Check
Rectal temperature	37.5 – 38.5°C	Digital thermometer, lubricated, rectally
Heart rate	28–44 beats/minute	Stethoscope behind left elbow, count 15 sec × 4
Breathing rate	8–20 breaths/minute	Watch flank movement from a distance
Capillary refill (CRT)	Under 2 seconds	Press gum above upper teeth; pink returns in <2 sec
Skin turgor	Under 2 seconds	Pinch skin on neck; returns immediately if hydrated

Any value significantly above these ranges after rest in a shaded area warrants attention. Call a vet if multiple values are abnormal.

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A Practical Summer Riding Checklist for Jordanian Riders

Before you ride in summer, run through this quickly:

• Temperature + humidity below 70?
• Riding before 8 AM or after 6 PM?
• Horse has had access to water in the last 2 hours?
• Electrolytes available post-ride?
• Cold water and a scraper accessible at the stable?
• Vet's number saved in your phone?
• Horse not transported in the last hour?
• Planned workout appropriate to the heat level?

If more than two boxes are unchecked — reconsider your plan.

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Final Thought

The Bedouin understood this instinctively: the relationship between horse and rider demands that the rider be the voice of reason for both. Your horse cannot tell you it is overheating until it is showing you — and by then, the window for easy intervention is closing.

Jordan's summer is not the enemy of riding. But it demands respect, planning, and attention to the signals your horse is sending. Learn to read those signals before they become an emergency, and you will ride safely through every season this land offers.

Ride early. Ride smart. Know your horse.