Managing the Allergic Horse in the Hot Australian Summer

October 15, 2025

Twp horses with their heads out of their stable with the sun across their noses

Summer in Australia can be brutally hot - and when you're caring for a horse with allergies or immune-related skin conditions, that heat becomes more than just uncomfortable. Inflamed skin, constant itching, and allergic reactions already raise your horse’s internal heat load. Add 35-degree days and strong sun, and you’ve got a management challenge on your hands.

The instinct is often to reach for a rug - and for allergic horses, covering the skin can be essential to prevent the vicious allergy cycle. But when a horse is already running hot from inflammation, covering up must be done carefully, with airflow, fabric choice, and local climate all considered, along with the individual needs of the horse.

In this HorseTalk article we consider the choices for making your allergic horse comfortable in the heat.

Why Allergic Horses Run Hotter

When a horse suffers from allergies like QLD Itch (sweet itch), photosensitivity, or environmental triggers like dust, pollen and grasses, their immune system goes into overdrive. This often leads to:

Inflamed skin – which radiates more heat
Increased itching and discomfort
Higher metabolic stress; and
Persistent movement from rubbing or stomping which generates more body heat

All this contributes to a horse that’s already working harder to regulate temperature - before you even consider covering them up.

Why Covering Up Is Still Necessary (In Some Cases)

Despite the heat, many allergic horses benefit from being covered.

To block insect bites (especially midges, stable flies and mosquitoes)
To reduce exposure to dust, pollen or grasses
To protect photosensitive or damaged skin from UV rays
To prevent self-trauma from itching

In these cases, the right kind of coverage is important – it must shield without compromising airflow. It should also include all areas of the horse that are affected by the allergens. For most horses this would require a rug with neck and either a fly mask or hood as a minimum. When the legs are affected, they will also need protection.

Ways to Keep Your Horse Cool

Shade

Trees, shelters or well-ventilated stables allow your horse to escape the peak sun hours. Shade needs to be available throughout the day

Cool Drinking Water

All horses need access to cool water, and for the inflamed horse who can dehydrate more quickly, this is even more important Provide multiple water sources, consider adding electrolytes during very hot days and ensure water is checked regularly and replenished if necessary to keep it cool.

Cool Hosing

Frequent hosing (especially in humid regions) helps reduce skin temperature. Follow with a gentle towel-off and ensure your rug goes on dry skin only to prevent chafing or fungal issues

Covering Up

Because the allergic horse has an increased heat load, there is an inclination to avoid covering up your horse. But the constant exposure to the allergens and the radiant heat of the sun can exacerbate the inflammatory response, so covering up your horse can be the better option to help them keep cool.

Adjusting for Climate

Hot & Dry Areas (eg. WA & inland Australia)

Sweat evaporates quickly in dry heat, so cooling is more effective – but dehydration risk is higher.

For these regions, coverings that provide UV protection, maximum airflow and promote evaporation work well.

Water intake and skin hydration should be monitored closely.

Hot & Humid Areas (eg. Coastal QLD, NT, NSW)

Evaporation is slower, so horses struggle to cool down

Keep rugs ultra light and breathable, or go unrugged during periods of low allergen exposure

Rinse horses regularly and keep skin clean to avoid sweat rashes or fungal flare-ups

Signs Your Allergic Horse is Too Hot

Signs to watch for include:

Excessive sweating
Reluctance to move, dullness or listlessness
Flared nostrils or rapid breathing at rest
Damp, clammy skin or sticky sweat
Irritability when touched

For many allergic horses leaving them without covering is not practical, although this is ideal for unaffected horses. When your horse is covered in the hot months, checking under coverings at least daily is recommended. And in the hottest part of the day, make sure other cooling measures are readily available to reduce the risk of heat stress.

In Summary: Protect the Skin, Support the System

Allergic horses face a double challenge in summer – coping with the heat and the immune burden of inflamed skin. Protective rugs, leg coverings and/or face protection can and should be part of the solution.