✅  Quick Answer: In Qatar's summer, ambient temperatures exceed 45°C and humidity spikes to 80%+. A horse at rest in these conditions can lose 10 to 15 litres of sweat per hour. Without active management, heat stress and dehydration develop rapidly.

Arabian horses are physiologically better adapted to heat than most breeds — but they still require specific summer management in Qatar's extreme conditions.

This guide covers the five essentials: water, electrolytes, feeding, exercise timing, and coat and skin care.

Condition

Qatar Summer (Jun–Sep)

Northern Europe Summer

Impact on Horse

Air temperature

42°C – 48°C

20°C – 28°C

Core temperature rise accelerated

Humidity

50% – 85%

40% – 60%

Sweat evaporation slowed — cooling less effective

Heat index (feels like)

55°C – 65°C

22°C – 30°C

Severe stress threshold reached faster

UV index

10 – 12 (Extreme)

3 – 6 (Moderate)

Skin and eye exposure risk

Night temperature

32°C – 38°C

12°C – 18°C

No overnight recovery — body stays warm

Ground temperature

60°C – 75°C (sand/concrete)

25°C – 35°C

Hoof and lower leg heat absorption

⚠ Qatar Warning: The combination of high temperature AND high humidity is more dangerous than high temperature alone. When humidity exceeds 60%, sweat evaporates poorly — the horse's main cooling mechanism fails. At humidity above 80% and temperatures above 38°C, horses can develop heat stress within 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise.

Condition

Daily Water Requirement

Key Notes

Rest — cool weather (Oct–Mar)

25 – 35 litres per day

Baseline requirement

Rest — Qatar summer (Jun–Sep)

40 – 60 litres per day

Heat alone doubles water needs

Light work — Qatar summer

60 – 80 litres per day

Exercise adds significant fluid loss

Moderate work — Qatar summer

80 – 100+ litres per day

Electrolyte replacement essential

Mare with foal — summer

80 – 120 litres per day

Milk production adds to requirement

💡 Pro Tip: If your horse is drinking less than expected, check water temperature first. Horses are highly sensitive to water temperature and will drink significantly less from warm troughs. An insulated trough cover or shading structure is one of the highest-impact investments for summer horse care in Qatar.

⚠ Qatar Warning: Never give electrolytes to a horse showing signs of severe dehydration without veterinary guidance. The skin pinch test: pinch the skin on the neck — it should return flat within 1 second. If it takes 2 to 3 seconds to return, the horse is moderately dehydrated. If it stays tented for 3+ seconds — contact a vet immediately.

Feed Type

Heat Increment

Summer Management

Hay and forage

High — fibre fermentation generates significant heat

Do not reduce — horses need fibre. Feed in smaller, more frequent portions. Avoid large hay piles in hot sun.

Grain / concentrates

Medium — starch digestion creates heat

Reduce by 20–30% if work is reduced. Split into 3 feeds minimum.

Oil / fat supplements

Low — fat metabolism generates minimal heat

Excellent summer energy source. Replace some grain calories with oil.

Beet pulp (soaked)

Very low + adds water

Excellent summer feed. Soaking adds hydration.

Fresh grass / green forage

Low + high water content

Beneficial if available — adds hydration

☀ Qatar Climate Note: Feed storage is critical in summer. Hay stored in a humid environment develops mould within days. Keep all feed in a cool, dry feed room with ventilation. Pelleted feeds and cubes absorb moisture quickly in Qatar's humidity — buy in smaller quantities more frequently rather than storing large amounts.