Horses that don’t sweat have a disease known as anhydrosis. Common in hot, humid climates, this condition not only creates misery for horses, but also can be life-threatening. Recently a powdered feed supplement and an electrolyte-balancing patch have been developed that help prevent anhydrosis in many cases.
According to veterinarians, both the feed supplement powder and the electrolyte-balancing patches are safe and can be used to treat horses before the hot summer season brings on cases of anhydrosis. Because they use naturally balanced electrolyte ingredients that are not prohibited in competitions, they will not test positive in competitive sports.
Research at the University of Florida has shown the value of One AC, a feed supplement consisting of L-tyrosine, cobalt, niacin, and vitamin C developed by Raymond LeRoy, a biochemist from Phoenix. LeRoy theorizes that anhydrosis is caused by a depletion of dopamine in the brain.
"The available dopamine is used first by the brain, second by the cardiovascular system, and third by the sweating system," LeRoy explained. "If the horse is not producing enough dopamine to satisfy the three systems, then sweating is compromised in favor of the brain and cardiovascular system. One AC provides the necessary raw materials to compensate for the depletion, and the animal returns to the sweating function."
A company called Signal Health has a patch which is advertised to restore the horse's sweating. This patented, non-invasive dermal patch serves as a natural electrolyte balancing system.
Developed by Therapina Ltd in the United Kingdom, the SmartCell SignalTM system restores normal cell metabolism by stimulating communication directly between cells in the horse’s body. The patch is marketed under the trade name, “Equiwinner”.