It is summer time and the increased heat and humidity can harm your horse if you are not paying attention. When a horse faces a combination of too much exercise and hot, humid weather, heat stroke may occur.
As the moisture produced by sweat glands in the skin evaporates the horse's system may become compromised.Sweat contains water and electrolytes, and a horse's sweat containes 10 times more potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium than the sweat of a human.
In some cases a human may feel fine, but the excessive loss of electrolytes can affect your horse's health and performance.
Knowing the horse's normal resting and at-work heart rates, normal rectal temperature, and normal respiration rate can serve as a guide to prevent over-exercising a horse when the weather is hot and humid
Normal vital signs for adult horses, according to the American Association of Practitioners, are as follows: temperature: 99-100.8 F; heart rate: 28-44 beats per minute; respiration: 8-20 breaths per minute; rectal temperature: 101 F.
A simple pinch test can help determine if the horse is dehydrated. When a small section of skin on the horse's neck is pinched and released, the skin should snap back into place. If there is a delay, the horse could be dehydrated.
Learn to recognize signs of heat stroke in horses Signs include weakness, not eating, rapid breathing and pulse and even collapse.
Immediately move the horse to a cooler, shady area, and call the veterinarian. While waiting for the vet, cool water may be sprayed on the horse's legs and body, or towels soaked in cool water may be wrapped around the horse's legs and other areas that exhibit large veins.
In a critical situation, ice packs may be placed on legs. Fans to circulate the air may be used, and horses should be allowed to drink small amounts of water at frequent intervals. Walking the horse slowly will allow air movement to continue to help evaporate heat.