How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Equines

Responsible horse owners and riders care for their animals' health. Heat stroke is a serious and potentially deadly condition for horses caused by extreme overheating. Heat stroke occurs when the horse is so overheated that its cooling mechanisms fail. A horse experiencing heat stroke will stop sweating, show signs of distress such as elevated temperature, pulse and respiration and become dull and uncoordinated. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can quickly become deadly for a horse. However, with responsible management and planning, heat stroke is preventable.

Things You'll Need

  • Plenty of cool water
  • Electrolyte supplements
  • Mineral block
  • Large sponge or hose
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Instructions

    • 1

      Condition your horse over time. Just like humans, horses need to build up to where they can safely travel long distances, go at high speeds or otherwise offer peak performance. Do not suddenly take a horse that is out of shape on a long hard ride. Condition your horse accordingly for the type of performance for which you will be asking.

    • 2

      Avoid riding or working your horse in the hottest part of the day. Hot, humid weather makes horses more prone to dehydration and heat exhaustion, the precursors to heat stroke. If the sum of the ambient temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity equals around 150, use precautions to avoid heat stress, says the America's Quarter Horse website. Avoid long or intense workouts if the temperature plus relative humidity is close to 180 or more. If possible, plan your rides for the early morning or late evening during the hot summer months.

    • 3

      Ensure your horse is adequately hydrated and provide electrolyte supplements. Always have fresh water available to your horse before a ride to avoid dehydration. Allow your horse to take small drinks at frequent intervals during and after a long workout. Avoid letting a hot horse drink large amounts of water all at once, which could lead to colic. Because of their large muscle mass, horses sweat more than most animals and lose essential electrolytes. Give electrolyte supplements during hot months, and always allow the horse access to salt and mineral licks.

    • 4

      Know the signs of heat stress so you can prevent the condition from progressing to heat stroke. Common signs of heat stress include large amounts of sweat and rapid breathing and heart rate, according to the America's Quarter Horse website. Check for dehydration by pinching a section of the horse's skin on the neck and watching it recoil. The skin on a well-hydrated horse will recoil almost immediately.

    • 5

      If your horse is hot, help it cool off, even if the weather is not extremely hot. After a short ride, or during longer rides, bring the horse to a shady location, use fans if available and use cool water on the horse's main veins and arteries. The horse's body relies on heat loss through convection (wind) and the evaporation of water or sweat to cool itself.

    • 6

      Use cool water to aid in evaporative heat loss. Concentrate on the upper front and hind legs, making sure to get water on the insides of the upper leg areas where you see large blood vessles at the surface. Also wet the chest and lower neck area along the jugular vein. If you are on a long trail ride, pack a large sponge, stand your horse in a creek and sponge it with water. At the barn use a hose if available or use a bucket and sponge. You should use at least two 5-gallon buckets of water to cool down a hot horse. Avoid suddenly using very cold water on major muscle groups.