Texas Summer Heat vs Outdoor "Free Range" Rabbit

We have a half mini hotot half mini rex female bunny. She started out as an indoor bunny but eventually ended up outside full time (her decision. Not ours). She has been outside full time for almost a year now (10 months). If it starts to storm she comes inside on her own accord. We live in Texas and our summers are brutal. We have a kiddy pool and dog house for our dog. But I have no idea how to safely keep the bunny cool. She hates being cooped up. She was sharing a very small dog crate with a male bunny for at least 3 months locked in a corner of a garage when we got her. She does have a couple of burrows that she has dug, but I'm afraid with the heat that is coming it will not be enough. Anyone have any ideas on how to keep a rabbit cool?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

No personal experience but off grid blogger Velecreations used brick lined "burrows" to raise meat rabbits in the heat of Mexico.
Burrow also seem to work in the wild, though domestic rabbits are not native to hit regions.

There's a lot of discussion on this topic https://permies.com/t/8772/critters/Raising-Rabbits-Texas-Heat I have neighbors across the street from me who raise show rabbits.   I can ask when I see them next.  

You probably don't want to use the the solution we have for the pet rabbits my niece wants. We're taking advantage of tile floors by having an indoor and outdoor run connected by a "doggie" door in the window. The rabbits will be able to come inside whenever it's too miserable.

I'm ashamed to say, I've killed a few rabbits in the Arizona heat. They were fine as long as they had their own burrow and water. A day without water was likely death. I would suggest building a shade structure over their burrow--not just the entrance, but the length of it. Make the shade material of something breathable, like a thick layer of straw. For that matter, extend the shade a good ways out so they can come out, eat, drink and get a little exercise in the shade. That with plenty of water and they should be fine.

Another thought: grow some banana trees nearby. They'll love the shade and moisture. Though you'll need to surround the trunk with wood or brick.

If you plan on multiplying them, however, that will only work in winter.

Thank you! I had not seen the previous post, thank you for sharing. I found a lot of great ideas from that link. I also like the idea of shading the entrance to the burrow. I'll bet I can make her a little "house" and so long as I keep a small section completely open, she may feel better about going in. Maybe a small ac unit to ensure it stays cool.

Thank you all very much!
Crystal

Post a picture when you get it done!