21/07/2024
Please take a moment to read
☀️HEAT STROKE ☀️
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! However, it is very important to also know the risks to equines with temperatures >25 degrees paired with direct sunlight.
Darker coloured Bay or Black equines are at greater risk due to the absorption of heat from their coat. Heat stroke is a common condition where the internal body temperature of the horse rises above 39.5 degrees C.
Watch out for some of these signs of your horse suffering from the heat:
- Sweat marks along Neck and Flank region
- Inappetance
- Muscle fascicultations (tremors)
- Walking 'drunk' and unable to place feet in a coordinated way
- Increased respiration
- Dullness and Lethargy
In severe cases:
- Collapse
Please feel free to contact us on our 24/7 emergency line 01652 240071 if your horse is showing any of these symptoms, and we have a vet available for advice and/or visits.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HORSE AT LOW RISK:
* Keep horses in shade, inside a well ventilated stable, or a shaded field for the heat of the day (it is often cooler in a stable than outside!) and put them out at the end of the day/overnight.
* If the stable is hot, consider use of a fan
* Wash your horse with cool water for 10-15 minutes if you notice sweating/any symptoms.
* Ensure if your horse is turned out, there is areas of shade
* For darker coloured horses, a reflective fly sheet can
sometimes help reduce the absorption of heat from the sun.
* Lots of access to water, and can add in an apple into the water to encourage drinking (chopped up, to prevent choking hazards!)
* Rehydration/recovery mash provided at the end of the day. Often these have helpful electrolytes encouraging them to drink/rehydrate.
* Try to ride before or after the heat of the day, out of direct sun