06/14/2022
As temperatures keep climbing, here is your reminder to pay close attention to signs of heat stress in your horse this summer. ☀️🐴
Signs of heat stroke may range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Foals usually cannot take as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day. Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will have more problems. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and that strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.
Does this mean you should not ride on a hot day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and signs of heat exhaustion, as heat exhaustion should not be underestimated and can advance to heat stroke quickly. Above all, be kind and attentive to your equine partner’s need. If you feel hot, they feel hotter. So if they look tired—it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.
As always, consult your primary veterinarian for more tips tailored to your specific horse’s situation! Read more about heat stroke on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke
By Steven M. Haugen, DVMThe body maintains its normal temperature in hot weather by moving heat through the muscles and out through the skin. Blood also removes heat as it circulates through the body and releases it through lung tissue, skin and expanding blood vessel...
