HORSES AND CLIMATE CHANGE: ADAPTATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Climate change poses a major challenge to many sectors, and the equine industry is no exception. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, extreme weather events, and the emergence of new pathogens are forcing breeders, veterinarians, and managers to rethink adaptation, resilience, and resource management.

This article provides a comprehensive and structured analysis of climate challenges, adaptation mechanisms, and sustainable management strategies applicable to the equine world.

I. Climate Challenges Specific to Equines

1. Heat Stress and Heatwaves

As average temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, horses are exposed to increased thermal stress. They must dissipate more heat, mainly through sweating, which increases water needs and can cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. To mitigate this stress, breeders and caretakers implement measures such as regular cooling, constant access to water, natural or assisted ventilation, and shaded shelters. Indirect effects are also significant: smoke from wildfires and airborne dust irritate the respiratory tract and weaken the horses’ immune systems.

2. Drought, Water Scarcity, and Pasture Quality

Climate change alters precipitation patterns, leading to longer and more frequent droughts. This affects both the availability of water and the quality of grazing areas. Pastures become less productive and lose plant diversity, forcing breeders to rely on stored hay or feed supplements. In the wild, feral horses face the disappearance of watering holes and reduced grazing territories, threatening their survival.

3. Soil Erosion and Waste Management

Heavy rains and storms increase soil erosion in pastures. Areas trampled by horses become muddy, compacted, and less fertile. Poor manure management worsens these problems, as polluted runoff can contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. Proper manure composting helps stabilize nutrients, prevent losses, and improve soil structure.

4. Emerging Diseases and Parasites

Rising temperatures and humidity create favorable conditions for disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. Pathogens that were once confined to specific regions now expand to new latitudes and altitudes. This requires enhanced veterinary monitoring, updated vaccination programs, and greater vigilance regarding emerging health risks.

5. Physiological Limits and Genetic Diversity

Horses have natural thermoregulatory mechanisms, but these have limits. Some local or hardy breeds show better resistance to extreme conditions thanks to their genetic diversity. Preserving this diversity is essential to maintain the overall resilience of the equine population in a changing climate.

II. Adaptation Strategies: From Theory to Practice

1. Selecting Resilient Breeds and Bloodlines

Adaptation begins with the selection of animals. Certain breeds are known for their heat tolerance, ability to cope with limited water, or natural hardiness. Using these breeds in breeding programs can strengthen the overall resilience of equine populations. In the long term, genetic selection could include criteria such as thermal tolerance, pathogen resistance, or metabolic efficiency.

2. Pasture Management and Land Planning

a) Silvopasture Systems

Integrating trees into grazing systems, known as silvopasture, helps create a more stable microclimate. Shade reduces perceived temperature, limits evaporation, and protects horses from direct sunlight. Trees also improve biodiversity, stabilize soil, and enhance carbon sequestration.

b) Rotational Grazing and Forage Reserves

Rotational grazing prevents overgrazing, promotes vegetation recovery, and limits erosion. Building forage reserves (hay or silage) ensures feed availability during droughts or unexpected cold periods.

c) Composting and Responsible Fertilization

Composting equine manure stabilizes nutrients, enriches the soil, and improves moisture retention. Responsible fertilization prevents nitrate pollution and preserves water quality.

3. Water Management and Hydration

Ensuring horses have constant access to clean, shaded, and cool water is fundamental. In dry areas, water harvesting systems and automatic refilling troughs help reduce waste. Regular water quality checks prevent contamination and disease transmission.

4. Climate-Adapted Infrastructure

Stables should be designed to offer good ventilation, shaded areas, and insulating materials. Proper orientation, the use of windbreaks, and reflective roofing help maintain thermal comfort. Light, open shelters are particularly suitable for hot and dry climates.

5. Health Monitoring and Prevention

Adaptation also requires staff training and continuous health surveillance. Signs of heat stress, such as excessive sweating, apathy, or rapid breathing, must be identified early. Parasite control and vaccination programs should evolve in line with local climate changes.

6. Ecosystem-Based Approaches

Ecosystem-based adaptation aims to strengthen the natural resilience of the environment. Restoring wetlands, maintaining biodiversity, and ensuring ecological connectivity create a sustainable balance between horse breeding, ecosystems, and climate.

III. Sustainable Resource Management

1. Water Efficiency

Efficient irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems reduce dependency on external sources. Moisture sensors and programmed watering optimize water use without lowering pasture productivity. Collaborative water management at the territorial level ensures fair access and environmental sustainability.

2. Water Protection and Environmental Quality

Proper manure and wastewater management is essential to prevent water pollution. Covered storage, vegetated buffer zones, and controlled spreading help protect surface and groundwater. These measures are key to maintaining ecosystem health around equine facilities.

3. Forage Diversification and Food Resilience

Diversifying forage species (grasses, legumes, drought-resistant plants) strengthens pasture stability. Multiple water sources, such as ponds and wells, ensure consistent access. Emergency response plans help manage severe climate events like droughts or floods.

IV. Case Studies and Future Outlook

1. Wild Horses and Ecological Fragility

Wild horse populations are among the first to suffer from water shortages and degraded grazing areas. Their survival depends on the protection of ecological corridors and water sources. Conservation programs must integrate these factors to avoid demographic and genetic imbalances.

2. Research and Innovation

Scientific studies are increasingly focused on understanding the physiological limits of horses under climate stress. Projects aim to determine tolerance thresholds, track new parasites, and assess economic impacts. Selective breeding and sustainable pasture management are emerging as promising strategies.

3. Lessons from the Past

Paleoclimate research shows that ancient horse migrations were closely linked to environmental changes. This evolutionary history demonstrates the species’ adaptive capacity, but also its limits when changes occur too rapidly. Studying these past dynamics provides valuable insights for today’s resilience strategies.

Conclusion

Climate change requires profound adjustments in the way we raise, feed, and care for horses. Beyond adaptation, it calls for a systemic and sustainable vision of equine breeding. By combining ecological resilience, genetic diversity, water management, and preventive health care, the equine sector can become a model of balance between performance, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility. The future of equine breeding and horsemanship will depend on our ability to anticipate, innovate, and collaborate in the face of a changing climate.