Red Heat Warning: Caring for Horses, Dogs and Humans When the Farm Won’t Stop

There are some jobs that simply do not disappear because the weather has decided to go full Mediterranean.

Horses still need checking. Dogs still think they need to “help”. Gardens still need watering. Calves, chickens, donkeys, ponies, yards and farms still need people — even when those people would quite like to lie in a darkened room with a fan and a cold drink.

But with the Met Office issuing a red extreme heat warning, this is not just “a bit warm”. A red warning means dangerous weather is expected, with a risk to life and possible disruption to travel, power and infrastructure. The Met Office advises people to take action to keep themselves and others safe.

So, while the jobs may still need doing, how we do them needs to change

What does a red heat warning actually mean?

Weather warnings are not just there to make the news look dramatic.

The Met Office warning colours are based on the likely impact of the weather and how likely it is to happen. Yellow means be aware, amber means be prepared, and red means take action.

A red heat-health alert also means there is a significant risk to life, even for healthy people, and severe impacts may be expected across sectors.

In plain English:
this is the weather equivalent of the yard shouting, “Stop pretending everything is normal.”

People first: you are not much use if you melt

On farms, yards, gardens and stables, it is very easy to put every animal, plant, bucket, trough and fence post before yourself.

But heat illness can affect anyone. Government guidance says some people are at higher risk, including older people, babies, young children, people with existing health conditions and those who are exposed to heat for long periods.

If you are working outside, the Health and Safety Executive advises rescheduling work to cooler times of day, taking more frequent rest breaks, providing shade, drinking cool water and making sure people can recognise early signs of heat stress.

Practical farm-and-yard version:

Do the heavy jobs early or late.
Leave the “it can wait” jobs to actually wait.
Drink before you feel thirsty.
Wear a hat, sun cream and lightweight clothing.
Check on anyone working alone.
Do not be heroic with fencing, mucking out, strimming or gardening at the hottest point of the day.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious. The NHS has clear advice on the signs to watch for and when to get help

Livestock: water, shade and watchful eyes

Livestock may be used to being outside, but that does not mean they are immune to extreme heat.

Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and other farm animals all need extra checks during very hot weather, especially youngstock, older animals, heavily pregnant animals, anything unwell, and animals in exposed fields or housing with poor airflow.

The big things are simple, but vital: water, shade, ventilation and regular checks.

Make sure troughs are full, clean and working properly. In hot weather, animals will drink far more than normal, and a broken ballcock, blocked pipe or tipped bucket can become a serious problem very quickly. Check water points more than once a day where possible, especially for animals in groups.

Shade matters too. Trees, hedges, field shelters and well-ventilated buildings can all help, but avoid shutting animals into hot, stuffy sheds where the air does not move. If livestock are housed, keep airflow as good as possible and avoid unnecessary handling, moving or transport during the hottest part of the day.

Chickens and poultry need particular care, as they can struggle in high temperatures. Give them shaded areas, fresh water, good ventilation and avoid overcrowding. Frozen treats or cool vegetables can help, but clean water and shade are the real essentials.

Watch for signs that animals are struggling, such as heavy panting, drooling, weakness, dullness, crowding around water, reduced appetite, or animals separating themselves from the group. If something looks wrong, act quickly and contact your vet if you are concerned.

For more detailed advice, GOV.UK has official guidance on keeping farm animals and horses in extreme weather, and AHDB also has useful advice on managing cattle and sheep in hot weather.

And as always on a farm, the “quick check” is often the one that matters most. Extreme heat is not the day to assume everything is fine because it was fine this morning.

Horses: shade, water and sensible expectations

Horses cope with heat differently, and some are more vulnerable than others — especially very young, older, overweight horses, horses with health conditions, and those travelling, competing or exercising. The British Horse Society warns that poor management in hot weather can lead to dehydration and, in serious cases, heat exhaustion.

The RSPCA says horses may drink up to 55 litres of water a day, and even more in hot weather, so they need full troughs or reliable automatic water systems rather than just the odd bucket.

Things to check:

Fresh water — more than you think.
Shade in the field or a cool, ventilated stable.
Fly protection, especially for horses already irritated or restless.
Sun cream for pink noses and sensitive areas.
Exercise only in the coolest parts of the day, or not at all if conditions are extreme.
Avoid unnecessary travel where possible.

If a horse shows signs of heat-related illness, the BHS advises contacting your vet immediately, moving the horse into shade, offering water, and continuously applying cold water over the body until help arrives.

This is not the day to “just get a quick ride in” at lunchtime. The horse did not vote for that.

Dogs: hot walks are not worth it

Dogs are often convinced they are completely fine.

They are also often wrong.

The RSPCA explains that dogs lose heat mainly through panting and can only sweat through their paws, which makes them vulnerable to heatstroke. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs, very young dogs, overweight dogs and thick-coated dogs are especially at risk.

The RSPCA also warns that dogs can suffer heat-related illness from exercising in hot weather, and that hot walks can be deadly.

Hot weather dog rules:

Walk very early or very late — or skip the walk.
Keep them on grass and in shade.
Never leave them in a vehicle, stable block, tack room or enclosed space.
Always provide cool water.
Watch for excessive panting, drooling, wobbling, confusion, vomiting or collapse.
If you are worried, cool them and contact a vet urgently.

A bored dog is better than a dog with heatstroke. They may disagree, but that is because they are dogs.

Gardening, yards and “quick jobs”

The dangerous ones are often the jobs we tell ourselves will only take five minutes.

Watering the veg.
Moving electric fencing.
Skipping out.
Filling troughs.
Hanging washing.
Dragging hoses around.
Checking stock at the far end of the field.

In extreme heat, build your day around shade and water. Keep a bottle with you, not “somewhere near the gate”. Keep a phone charged and on you if you are working alone. Tell someone where you are going if you are heading out across fields.

And if a job can be done tomorrow, let tomorrow earn its keep.

Clothing: cover up, but do not cook yourself

There is a balance in hot weather.

Bare skin can burn quickly, but heavy clothing can make you overheat. Choose lightweight, breathable layers where possible, cover shoulders and arms if you are in strong sun, and take regular breaks in the shade.

For lighter jobs, our Daisy Vest is perfect for hot weather — easy to throw on, comfortable to wear, and ideal for those “I’m only popping out for five minutes” jobs that somehow turn into watering, weeding, feeding, sweeping and moving three things you definitely did not plan to move.

For dirty jobs, yard jobs, gardening, poultry, calves, horses or “I only popped out and now I’m pressure washing something” situations, practical clothing still matters. Our Classic 2to1® Coveralls and Original 2to1® Coveralls can be worn as full coveralls when you need more protection, or separated into jacket and trousers when you need a bit more flexibility.

That said, in a red heat warning, common sense comes first. Wear what keeps you safe for the task, take breaks, stay hydrated, and do not ignore your body just because the muck heap looks at you accusingly.

Useful official guidance

For current weather warnings and what the colours mean, check the Met Office weather warnings and Met Office warning guide.

For people and hot weather, read the UK Government Beat the Heat guidance and the NHS heatwave advice.

For outdoor working, the Health and Safety Executive has guidance on working in hot temperatures and heat stress.

For horses, see guidance from the British Horse Society, RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

For dogs, see the RSPCA hot weather dog advice and heatstroke guidance (link in section above ⬆️).

Final thought from Amanda

Farm, stable and garden life does not stop for weather warnings — but that does not mean we carry on as normal.

Check the animals.
Check the water.
Check the shade.
Check the dogs.
Check the people.

And, very importantly, check yourself.

Because there is no prize for getting heatstroke while trying to prove you are tougher than the weather.