Caring for Big Animals in Hot Weather

Caring for Big Animals in Hot Weather

Summer is here and not everyone is excited as we are! Big animals like cows, horses, donkeys, and pigs can struggle in the rising temperatures. What can us big animal owners do to make this a more enjoyable season for them?

Keeping our big animals cool is not much of a challenge. Starting from the inside out, outside their stall place a large fan to keep that air flow going and be sure to keep them hydrated at all times of the day. Hydration is a priority for them as much as it is for us!

As our beloved animals graze outside, it’s important to have some source of shade so they can take a break from the hot sun. If you have trees providing shade on your property, that’s a great source of shade and need not to worry! If you don’t have trees, consider building a small structure with an overhanging roof. Another great trick for the field is to add some sprinklers. That cool water will ensure their body temperature doesn’t rise too high. With no shade and direct sun, this is a very easy way for an animal to get heat stroke. An important tip I like to tell people is, if you are hot, they are hot. What we feel is what our animals feel.

If you would like to earn some bonus points, consider making your big pal a nice cold treat! In fact, I have a recipe right here for you:

***This recipe has two ingredients, watermelon and mint, and is safe for most animals, including horses, cows, donkeys and pigs!

Take 1 ripe, diced watermelon, a handful of fresh mint, and blend!

Once blended, place in cupcake molds, ice cube tray, or even popsicle molds.

Wait a few hours until the watermelon is frozen, and then share with your big friend!

This treat is healthy, hydrating and cooling. Feel free to enjoy one too!