To properly manage your horse's health during the summer, keep an eye out for both very young and very old horses, both of which are more at risk in hot weather.
1. Dehydration
The average 1,000-pound horse drinks at least 5 gallons of water per day, usually more in hot weather. Horses require 24/7 access to cool fresh water, which may require relocating the water source to a shady location.
The GI tract is the lowest priority organ, so when a horse is even slightly dehydrated, the body will send fluids to the highest priority organs first, which makes the GI tract super dehydrated. When this happens, it slows down and is unable to move food and gas. This can be incredibly uncomfortable, and in worst-case scenarios, can lead to displacement if left unaddressed.
Two, overheating
Horses are more likely to overheat as the outside temperature rises. It is important to monitor the temperature carefully as a precautionary measure to keep your horse healthy during the summer.
If your horse is not exercising, his breathing rate exceeds 20 breaths per minute, or his temperature is above 101.5 degrees, he is likely overheating.
Call your veterinarian immediately if your horse shows any of the following signs:
Rapid breathing while resting (normal range is 10 to 15 breaths per minute)
◆Continuously elevated pulse rate at rest (normal range is 30 to 44 beats per minute)
◆Irregular heartbeat
◆A temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
◆Profuse sweating or no sweating
◆Dehydration
◆Depressed and listless
Get your horse into the shade while you wait for the vet to arrive. Let him drink as much cold water as he wants.
Using a hose, run cold water through the large blood vessels in his hind legs, abdomen, and inside of his neck. Pouring rubbing alcohol on his back and standing him in front of a fan can also help bring down the temperature.
3. Anhidrosis
Horses that live in areas of high heat and humidity are more likely to suffer from anhidrosis, which is the partial or complete inability to sweat. This can wreak havoc on your horse's health in the summer.
Signs of anhidrosis include panting, shortness of breath, noticeably flaring nostrils, elevated temperature even at rest, decreased energy, thinning, dry, and sometimes scaly hair on the face, neck, and shoulders or sparse.
Do not exercise the horse when the weather is hot, feed during cooler times of the day, and make sure the horse always has cold water available. You'll find a variety of supplements on the market designed to help manage anhidrosis.
4. The problem of flies
Fly control—whether on horses or in the environment—is important not only because flies are irritants, but because they can spread a variety of diseases, including pigeon fever and equine infectious anemia.
Houseflies and stable flies also play a role in summer sores (skin flukes), which are weeping skin lesions caused by the infective larvae of stomach worms.
5. Hoof concerns
Flies can also cause trouble for your horse's hooves.
Dry, hard hooves are more prone to cracks and chips.
Providing moisture to one area will help minimize damage from overly dry feet, and a classic solution is to overflow the tank with enough water to give their feet somewhere to get wet every day.
Hooves tend to grow faster in warm weather, so you may have to shorten your trimming or shoeing cycles.
