HEAT STRESS IN

HORSESHeat stress can put a horse in serious danger. Here are some causes, signs, treatments and prevention methods that owners and riders should understand.

CAUSES & CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

FUTURE PREVENTION

Did you know?

Portion of a horse’s cooling process that can be attributed to sweating65%

Dehydration

Heat generated in muscles

Hot, humid weather

Transporting in hot conditions

Poor conditioning

Insufficient oxygen intake

Exhaustion

Intense exercise

Inability to sweat normally

Riding too fast for horse’s fitness level

Insufficient time to acclimate to warm climate

Sluggishness, weakness or poor

posture

Cramping, spasms, loss of muscular control

Rectal temperature over 103.5 degrees F

Hot, dry skin (but might sweat

under mane)

Rapid breathing/flared nostrils

Sunken eye sockets

Stop exercise immediately

Relocate to shady area with light breeze or fan

Offer water

Cool rapidly with hose or sponge, focusing on legs, head, back, neck, areas where large veins are close to skin

Scrape away excess water as it heats up

Refrain from draping horse with a cooling towel, which might actually keep heat in

Massage major muscle groups if horse refuses to move

Monitor rectal temperature until it recedes to 101 degrees

After recovery, hand walk for about 15 minutes to prevent cramping

Monitor for several hours

Dunk in pond if dangerously overheated

Administer electrolytes

Administer intravenous fluids if horse is in shock or dehydration is severe

Contact veterinarian if temperature exceeds 104 degrees and won’t go down

Refrain from administering medications while dehydrated

Reduced tolerance to exercise

Inability to sweat

Poor recovery after workout

High or irregular heart rate

Falling/stumbling

Seizures

Colic

Reduced interest in food/water

Reduction in skin elasticity

Refusal to move

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

11

13

14

15

Improve fitness level

Emphasize hydration

Offer water immediately after exercise

Monitor heart rate recovery

Use appropriate cool-down techniques

Don’t ride too fast/climb too steep a hill

for fitness level

Keep coat hair shorter

Incorporate rest periods during exercise

Reduce/delay work if over 90 degrees

www.besteverpads.com

TREATMENTS

1

VISIBLE SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS