With a red extreme heat warning today (Monday) and tomorrow, it's important to keep horses comfortable.

World Horse Welfare are advising owners that their horses will need constant access to clean water and shade and have good ventilation if stabled.

If a horse or pony has with a pink nose or heels, these need to be protected with sun cream or a full-face mask to prevent sunburn.

It's important to monitor horses closely. They are likely to be more lethargic in the heat but if they are breathing heavily and appear dull with an increased heart rate, they are not coping, and owners should call a vet and take extra measures to cool the animal down.

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of overheating, you need to take action quickly.

Getting as much cold water as possible on your horse will help to bring their temperature down.

This can be done with either a hose or bucket and the water should remain on the body and not be scraped off as this will provide further cooling as it evaporates.

Avoid travel and working your horse unless it is completely necessary

Where temperatures are extremely high, we advise owners to consider if is necessary to ride or travel their horses, this will be particularly relevant today and tomorrow.

However, if you need to travel to the vet for an emergency, for instance, consult your vet before making the journey.

For the vast majority of horses - if they are fit and healthy - they should cope well in the heat as long as they aren’t being overworked and have plenty of shade and water.

However, for those younger and elderly horses and those with medical conditions, they will need an extra close eye kept on them.

The extreme temperatures are going to be tough for horses and people alike but most horses should be fine, however, we still advise keeping a close eye on them.

Individual horses cope differently with hot or humid weather conditions so it is important to know what is normal for your horse in order that you can spot any changes as soon as they occur.