MAY
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 5
Arizona Dressage Association
THE CENTERLINE Feeling The Heat
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t’s that time of year here in Arizona where we go from complaining about it being too cold to really complaining about it being too hot. Once we all get used to the fact that we just have to endure another summer, we start obsessing about helping our four-legged friends survive the heat as well. Overheating is a serious concern for humans and horses so it’s important to know the signs of heat stress and how to prevent it. Overheating can result from a number of things beyond the most obvious – hot weather. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, high humidity and poor barn or trailer ventilation are just a few of the other culprits. Heat stress can also occur when these things are combined with excessive work or if you are transporting a horse under these conditions. Horses that are obese are also at higher risk for overheating as are foals and elderly horses. It is important to recognize the signs of heat stress and heat stroke to that proper treatment can be given early on. Heat stress can quickly turn into heat stroke which can result in the horse collapsing, have convulsions and even going into a coma. Signs of heat stress: • Rapid breathing and heart rate • Sluggishness or stumbling • Increased body temperature (normal temperature is 98-101 degrees F) • Signs of dehydration (pale tacky mucous membranes, dry feces, sunken eyes) • Profuse sweating or a complete lack of sweat (anhidrosis) • Muscle weakness
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