“Too Hot To Trot”
With increased temperatures comes the potential for your horse to become seriously exhausted, or even worse, develop heatstroke.
If a horse loses fluid (as sweat) faster than he takes in water, he will gradually become dehydrated. The average horse drinks 10 gallons of water each day; horses working in hot or humid weather conditions may drink twice as much.
Horses need water both during and immediately after work. It is a myth that allowing a horse to drink right away will lead to serious health problems. If he waits, he may not drink enough to replace the fluids he’s lost. He should be offered water not much cooler than the air mixed with electrolytes.
Heat stroke can happen to horses whether they are working hard, standing in stuffy stables, or traveling in trailers. Learn the signs of serious exhaustion and heatstroke to keep your animals safe when the temperatures are not fit for man nor beast.
CALL A VETERINARIAN AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IF YOUR
HORSE EXHIBITS ANY OF THESE CRITICAL SYMPTOMS:
Serious Exhaustion
- Body temperature between 104 and 106 degrees
- Rapid breathing and elevated heart rates that persist after 30 minutes rest
- Depressed or unresponsive
- Dehydrated but not thirsty (pinch skin on neck to determine hydration)
- Mild sweating
- Irregular heart beat “Thumps” (appears as rapid hiccups)
If you suspect exhaustion-or worse call a veterinarian immediately. Then start cooling off procedures until help has arrived.
Heatstroke
- Horse’s skin will be hot and dry
- Heart and breathing rates will be fast
- Body temperature between 106 and 110 degrees
- Gums will appear “muddy” instead of pink
- Weakness and depression
- Stumbling, collapse, possible coma and death.
Should this occur, a veterinarian had better be close by. The horse will need repeated rinses in cold water; ice water enemas, in some cases; intravenous fluids and medication. If he survives, serious illness and permanent brain damage can result.
What to Do Until the Vet Arrives
Use shade, cool water, breezes, or fans as best you can. Sponge or spray the large blood vessels along the inside of legs and belly. Offer sips of water.
“Cool” Tips To Keeping Your Horse Healthy
- Provide ample fresh, cool clean water. Check buckets and troughs daily
- Sponge or hose down the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs
- Try to reschedule workouts for early mornings or late evenings
- Use electrolytes if your horse is sweating hard
- Provide shade shelter to avoid direct sunlight
- Apply zinc oxide cream to horses with pink noses to prevent sunburn
- Consider setting up fans to circulate air in stuffy hot box stalls
- Take care of yourself! If you’re overheated, you could miss the warning signs
Anyone involved with working horses should learn to check his heart and breathing rates, gums, hydration and temperature. Your veterinarian can show you how. Understanding your horse’s limits and needs are the best way to keep him safe when the temperatures soar.