In some parts of the United States, this is turning out to be the hottest, driest year in quite some time. With hot, dry weather, horses face a number of health challenges.
There has been a drastic rise in the incidence of lameness, increasing numbers of horses with respiratory disease, and some dramatic cases of sunburn. Prevention is the key in nearly all cases, and simply being aware of what the weather can do to your horse is important, especially in preventing sunburn and other problems.
The appearance of coughs and colds at this time of year can be puzzling. Certainly the weather is anything but inclement. The development of ‘summer colds’ can be related to several factors, the first being the fact that hay supplies have become extremely dry and dusty.
New cases of allergic respiratory disease (COPD or recurrent airway obstruction) in stabled horses, as well as horses in which the dust is acting as an irritant leading to secondary bacterial infections of the upper airways are being seen in many areas.
Soaking hay in water will help reduce the dust burden and alleviate symptoms. Many cases have required additional treatment with steroid inhalers – identical to those used by human asthmatics – and antibiotics where there is evidence of bacterial infection.
Stable ventilation, or rather a lack of it, can also contribute to respiratory disease. Opening doors and windows, plus judicious use of fans, is essential to promote air flow, reduce dust burdens and lessen the risk of pathogenic viruses and bacteria being spread between horses. Warm temperatures and high humidity also mean that these organisms survive longer in the atmosphere than when it is colder and less humid.
A third, and critical, factor in some cases of respiratory disease has been traveling to distant competitions. It has not been clear if these horses have been exposed to infections or whether the stress of traveling in hot, humid conditions has played a role in impairing their immune response to viruses and bacteria that would normally be shrugged off without a break in training.
Lame horses have become a concern for many horse owners. Unusually hard surfaces in show grounds and cross country courses has brought the prospect of cracked hooves, bruised soles, puffy joints and wind galls to the fore.
Plus the incidence of horses with traumatic laminitis and others that are sore in multiple limbs. Working and competing on artificial surfaces has also led to problems. Many arenas covered with wood chips or sand have become very dry and deep; conditions that are associated with an increased likelihood of injury to the flexor tendons and suspensory ligaments.
So, with the dry spell set to continue, what can be done to lessen the chances of orthopedic injuries? Aside from avoiding the hardest ground and deepest arenas, the answer lays in working to reduce concussion through the lower limbs and removing as much heat as possible from the limbs after exercise.
Keeping your horse in good health throughout the hot, long days of summer can be a challenge, but with attention to good horse management, many of the problems can be overcome.