Be sure livestock have abundant cool, clean water, adequate feed and plenty of shade to help them deal with heat and drought conditions, say scientists with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Humans aren't the only ones suffering from the heat and drought this summer. Farm animals are feeling the heat, too. Be sure livestock have abundant cool, clean water, adequate feed and plenty of shade to help them deal with heat and drought conditions, say scientists with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Providing cool, clear water is probably the most important thing livestock producers can do to help animals overcome heat stress.
Livestock seeking shade beneath trees often seek any source of green.
And since grass doesn't grow well beneath shade, animals might graze on poisonous plants. Horse owners can reduce heat stress by scheduling activities during the cooler part of the day and giving horses plenty of water, according to Laurie Lawrence, equine nutritionist. To reduce the risk of dehydration and heat stress, give horses access to water before, during and after transportation in hot weather. And schedule work periods for cooler times of the day to minimize heat stress problems in working horses, particularly unfit horses. Heat loss for all horses becomes difficult when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, so avoid exercising them during very hot periods.