The Harsh Beauty of the UAE and Its Impact on Horses

The UAE's equestrian scene is thriving against a backdrop of stunning desert landscapes, blazing sun, and a uniquely arid environment that both challenges and shapes how horses are cared for. While the country has invested heavily in modern infrastructure to support equestrian sport—from temperature-controlled stables to indoor arenas—there is no denying that the climate plays a powerful role in day-to-day horse management. Riders, stable owners, and caretakers alike must adapt their approach to ensure the health, safety, and peak performance of horses throughout the year.

The desert environment offers unmatched beauty and heritage, but it also comes with a set of demands that few equine settings around the world face as consistently. Extreme heat, sandy terrain, and humidity spikes all influence a horse’s respiratory system, hoof health, hydration levels, and even mental well-being. In such a setting, horse care is not a matter of routine—it is a constant balance of science, observation, and proactive adaptation.

For equestrians in the UAE, success begins not only in the arena but in how well horses are supported during the toughest months of the year. Understanding how to manage their needs in this specific environment is essential for anyone who rides, trains, or owns a horse in this part of the world.

Why Heat Is More Than Just a Summer Issue

While many countries deal with hot seasons, the UAE’s summer climate can push temperatures to well over 45°C, with high humidity levels in coastal cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For horses, whose core body temperature is already higher than humans', such heat places them at significant risk for dehydration, overheating, and in severe cases, heatstroke. These aren’t seasonal concerns—they’re daily threats that require careful scheduling and stable management.

In response, many riding centers shift their routines. Training often happens at dawn or after sunset, when temperatures are lower. Horses are bathed more frequently to cool their bodies down, and electrolytes are added to feed or water to replace essential minerals lost through sweat. The role of caretakers becomes more intense in these months, monitoring for subtle signs of distress like sluggishness, heavy breathing, or reduced appetite.

Horses in the UAE are typically housed in well-ventilated stables equipped with misting fans, insulated roofing, and airflow systems. Still, despite these innovations, constant vigilance is needed. Even a few minutes of exertion during the hottest part of the day can cause overheating. Owners and riders who have lived through several UAE summers know that adjustments aren't optional—they’re survival strategies.

What adds an extra dimension to this challenge is the fact that imported horses, particularly those from cooler climates like Europe, can take years to fully acclimate. These horses need extra care, slower conditioning, and often spend summers with reduced workloads or entirely out of training. Resources like Horse Planet are increasingly valuable for UAE-based riders who want access to local expertise, updates on weather-related stable care, and advice on managing horses through the heat safely.

Sand as Terrain, Threat, and Training Tool

Sand defines the UAE’s natural environment, and while it creates a dramatic and picturesque backdrop for riding, it brings a unique set of challenges. Horses working on sand require different hoof care, fitness conditioning, and even mental engagement than those trained on grass or synthetic surfaces.

Desert sand is soft and deep, increasing the effort required for each stride. Over time, this can be beneficial for building strength and stamina—but only if introduced gradually. If a horse is pushed too hard on soft sand, it can lead to tendon strain, pulled ligaments, or joint stress. Trainers often start young or new horses on firmer surfaces and then slowly integrate sand work to avoid injury.

Sand also affects hoof integrity. While many assume soft footing is better for hooves, the fine, dry grains of desert sand can actually dry out the hoof wall, making it more brittle and prone to cracking. It can also accumulate in the hoof and form compacted "sand balls" that create pressure and discomfort. This makes farriery and daily cleaning vital. Hooves must be moisturized, trimmed precisely, and checked regularly—sometimes twice a day in extreme environments.

Then there’s the issue of inhalation. Fine particles of dust and sand can linger in the air, especially in open desert riding or poorly ventilated arenas. Horses working in such conditions are at risk for respiratory irritation, inflammation, or long-term conditions like heaves. Ensuring that arenas are watered down regularly and providing horses with breaks during rides can minimize risk.

Even when sand seems like an adversary, it can also be a training ally. Horses conditioned correctly on sandy surfaces tend to build stronger back-end muscles and develop better balance. Endurance riders in the UAE use this to their advantage, training their mounts on desert terrain to simulate race conditions. With measured use and strategic care, the UAE’s sand becomes not just a challenge—but a partner in performance.

Stable Management in the Gulf Climate

In a country where summer heat dominates for much of the year, the design and upkeep of stables must be far more than aesthetic. Cooling systems, ventilation strategies, and hydration protocols are central to a horse’s comfort and health. Unlike in colder countries where blanketing and indoor stalls dominate the conversation, the UAE requires cooling, shading, and air movement.

Well-designed stables in the region often feature high ceilings for better airflow, open lattice designs that reduce heat buildup, and specialized materials that reflect solar radiation. Many also have misting systems that keep the ambient temperature down by several degrees, especially during peak hours. Despite these advancements, the key to healthy horses lies in small, daily actions: clean water always available, fans positioned for circulation (not direct drafts), and feeding practices that don’t lead to dehydration or overheating.

Manure management is another significant element. In hot climates, poor hygiene leads to fast-spreading bacteria, flies, and a sharp increase in hoof-related infections like thrush. Daily stall cleaning, sand sifting in paddocks, and proper drainage systems are crucial.

It is also in the stables where behavioral signs of climate stress are most visible. Horses that are restless, sweating while at rest, or refusing to eat may be reacting to excessive heat or discomfort. Understanding these cues comes with experience, and stables that hire knowledgeable caretakers and stay connected with the broader equestrian network through tools like Horse Planet are often better equipped to respond quickly and effectively.

Feeding, Hydration, and Body Conditioning in an Arid Zone

The climate in the UAE doesn’t just affect where horses are ridden or stabled—it also affects how they metabolize food and retain water. Horses in hotter climates often lose more nutrients through sweat and respiration and may eat less during peak heat. This requires riders and caretakers to rethink feeding practices and ensure that what a horse consumes is both nutrient-dense and hydrating.

Many stables shift from traditional hay to more digestible forages or pellets that are easier to chew and metabolize. Salt blocks and electrolyte powders are added to encourage drinking. Beet pulp soaked in water becomes a staple in many feeding routines as it hydrates while delivering fiber. Additionally, hydration is monitored meticulously—not just by checking buckets, but by observing urination, skin elasticity, and gum moisture.

Conditioning also has to evolve in extreme climates. Horses coming out of the cooler months must be gradually reintroduced to heat with lighter rides, shade breaks, and careful monitoring. Performance horses in the UAE often have year-round conditioning plans that are adjusted monthly to accommodate changes in temperature and humidity. These plans integrate short, intense workouts with longer recovery sessions to build stamina without pushing the horse into exhaustion.

With temperature spikes in recent years, many trainers and owners have begun collaborating closely with equine nutritionists and veterinarians to create individualized care plans. Whether through in-person clinics or online consultations, platforms such as Horse Planet have made it easier for UAE-based riders to find this kind of professional support.

Adapting Rider Expectations in the UAE Climate

It’s not just the horses who must adapt to the heat—the riders, too, have to change their expectations, routines, and schedules. Lessons, competitions, and casual rides all need to be planned around weather forecasts and heat indexes. Trainers often shorten lesson durations during the hottest months and move riding hours to early mornings or late evenings. Indoor arenas become critical spaces for year-round progress, even as riders dream of those long gallops across the open dunes.

More than ever, the UAE’s equestrian community is focused on mindfulness and sustainability. Pushing a horse too hard in the heat is not just bad training—it’s unethical. Riders are encouraged to log their horse’s physical and mental responses during and after each ride, gradually developing a better sense of how their mount copes with climate variables.

Additionally, summer can become a valuable time for ground work, grooming, and building rider-horse trust. When the saddle needs to rest, the relationship doesn’t. Activities like hand-walking in shaded areas, short lunging sessions, and even equine massage become meaningful alternatives.

Through networks like Horse Planet, riders share these strategies with one another—swapping tips, stable updates, and reviews that make the entire UAE horse community more resilient and connected.

Conclusion: Thriving, Not Just Surviving, in the Desert Heat

The UAE’s equestrian world operates in one of the most climate-challenging regions on earth, yet it continues to grow, evolve, and inspire. What makes this possible isn’t just innovation in stable design or access to cooling systems—it’s the deep, daily commitment of riders, grooms, trainers, and caretakers who learn to read the land and the horse with equal care.

From heat and humidity to sand and sweat, every environmental factor plays a role in shaping how horses are cared for in this country. Yet, with knowledge, adaptation, and consistent observation, horses can not only survive—but thrive—within this climate. The key is staying informed, prepared, and always connected to a wider network of equestrian wisdom.

Platforms like Horse Planet are vital in this journey, offering tools, guidance, and a sense of shared experience among those who live and ride in the Gulf. In a world where the desert can be both beautiful and brutal, the horse-human partnership endures—strong, focused, and supported by a culture that respects both tradition and transformation.