Behind the Scenes at Dreamwinds: How We Help Our Horses Beat the Summer Heat

Summer in Tryon, North Carolina, is no joke, especially for our Canadian horses!

When we moved to North Carolina four years ago, we quickly realized our herd would need time, and a little extra help, to adjust to the southern summers. Since then, every summer has taught us something new. We’ve made small changes, observed what our horses actually prefer, and continued to adapt our routines and even parts of our barn based on what they’ve shown us they need.

Here are a few of the things we’ve learned along the way, along with some ideas that might help keep your own horses cooler this summer.

Every horse is different

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that there isn’t one perfect summer routine.

Luke needs careful cooling and close monitoring. Simon benefits from body clips, early morning work and plenty of fan time. Lincoln arrived during a heat wave and taught us a lot about creating a comfortable quarantine space. Liv thinks every hose-down should include a spa treatment, while Echo would rather skip baths altogether. Jack and Lincoln seem to sweat enough for everyone.

The more we pay attention to each horse as an individual, the better we can meet their needs.

Airflow makes a huge difference

One of the biggest changes we’ve made is improving ventilation throughout the barn.

We replaced our heavier wood-and-mesh stall fronts with open European-style fronts and metal partitions between stalls. The difference was immediate. Instead of trapping heat, the barn breathes.

Every stall has a fan, our run-in sheds have solar fans, and we even installed outdoor fans beside our hay feeders so horses can enjoy a breeze while they eat. Once you’ve lived through a Tryon August with horses that struggle in the heat, moving air stops feeling like a luxury and starts feeling like essential infrastructure.

Keep the heat out

Shade is important, but so is preventing heat from entering the barn in the first place.

When we renovated the barn, we rebuilt the east wall using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). In simple terms, ICF uses insulated foam forms filled with reinforced concrete to create an incredible thermal barrier.The difference has been remarkable. On the hottest days, the dry lot can reach temperatures of nearly 130°F, while the stalls remain in a much more comfortable range, usually around 80 to 90°F. You can literally feel the temperature change as you walk into the barn.

Create more shade

We also looked at where the horses naturally wanted to spend their time.

One simple change was relocating one of our run-in sheds so another hay feeder can be in the shade during the hottest part of the day. It gives the horses another comfortable place to eat without standing in direct sun.

This particular structure was in a pasture they grazed occasionally but they never used the run-in shed! So it was great to be able to move an existing structure, saving time and money and finally seeing it put to good use!

Work with the weather

During the summer, mornings start early at Dreamwinds.

Riding, groundwork, turnout changes and chores happen before the day really heats up. By afternoon, the arena, footing and dry lots have absorbed a tremendous amount of heat, so we try to have the horses doing as little as possible during those hours. When we have programs, we work hard to keep them cool during the sessions and rotate the horses in and out so they aren’t working too long.

Working with the weather instead of against it has made a noticeable difference, especially for our senior horses.

Hydration is about more than water

Fresh, cool water is always available, but that’s only part of the equation.

Every horse receives electrolytes with their morning feed to help replace what they lose through sweating. Jack and Lincoln, in particular, remind us how important this is. They’re our “sweat champions,” often finishing the day with visible salt marks on their coats.

Lincoln especially appreciates another feature of our barn. Our automatic waterers are supplied by underground water lines, so the water stays a refreshing 60 degrees year-round, even during the hottest afternoons. We love The Drinking Post waterers that require no electricity and provide clean, cool water on demand.

Cooling looks different for every horse

Some horses simply need more support.

Luke has struggled with the North Carolina heat ever since we moved south. After battling EPM and now as one of our senior horses, regulating his body temperature is much harder for him than it once was.

On hot days he enjoys regular hose-downs, a cooling herbal mint liniment spray, plenty of fan time, and a stall where he can escape the direct sun. We watch him closely and adjust throughout the day based on how he’s feeling.

Simon, who has Cushing’s disease, also benefits from regular body clips, early morning exercise and cooling after work.

One of my favourite summer sights is seeing Luke and Simon standing side by side under the fans. Two horses, each needing their own version of extra care, enjoying the coolest corner of the barn together.

Not every idea works

We’ve also learned that our horses don’t always agree with what people recommend. One summer we installed a mister system, convinced it would become everyone’s favourite place to cool off.

The horses completely disagreed.

Not one of them chose to stand in it. They consistently sought out the fans and shade instead.

It was a great reminder that our horses don’t read the same articles we do. They’ll tell us what works if we’re willing to pay attention.

Little details matter

When Lincoln arrived, it happened to be during one of the hottest weeks of the summer.

His quarantine paddock included a run-in shed, a solar fan, shaded hay access and large blocks of ice in his water to help keep it cool during the afternoons.

None of those things alone would have made a huge difference, but together they helped make a stressful transition much more comfortable.

Every horse has taught us something

Looking around our farm today, almost every summer routine exists because one of our horses showed us a better way.

Luke taught us about airflow, staying ahead of heat stress and paying attention to the smallest changes.

Simon reminded us that body condition, coat management and timing matter.

Lincoln reinforced the value of thoughtful planning during periods of transition.

Jack reminds us never to underestimate hydration, and Liv and Echo continue to prove that horses have wonderfully different opinions about bath time.

Summer horse care isn’t about finding one perfect system. It’s about paying attention, staying flexible, and making small adjustments that help each horse feel their best.

We’re still learning every summer and I’m sure the horses will let us know what we can improve next summer! If even one of these ideas helps another horse stay a little cooler, then our herd has taught more than just us.

*Shout out to www.tewscontracting.com, our preferred contractor for all of our barn and property improvements