Heat and humidity during competition create significant welfare risks for horses through overheating and dehydration, requiring active management by organizers and riders.
Heat and humidity create a welfare risk that compounds with exercise effort, time, and acclimatization status of competing horses. A horse competing in high temperature and humidity conditions can progress from mild heat stress to life-threatening hyperthermia in minutes of continued exercise. The welfare responsibility for managing this risk sits with competition organizers, veterinary officials, riders, and grooms — a shared responsibility that requires clear protocols and willingness to withdraw horses before heat stress becomes welfare-critical. The culture that values completing a course over horse welfare is the fundamental challenge that welfare-conscious equestrian sports must address.