Causes, signs, treatments, and prevention methods for heat stress in your horse.

1. 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
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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
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TREATMENTS
1
VISIBLE SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS