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"Horse Handling and Riding Through Feel"

      By Tiffany Deering                        

It's the middle of summer and it is hot.  I'm too lazy myself to write an article, but there are many of you with training ambitions that don't let the heat stop you from your horsemanship regime.  And so, I have decided to simply post some links that you may find helpful to prevent and treat heat stroke in horses.

While it is ideal that you never get your horse to the point of danger from excessive heat, it does happen.  An unfit horse and a nervous horse are more prone to suffering from the hardship of exercise in heat.  If you are riding an unfit, nervous horse, then you are doubly susceptible to an episode of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Any athlete will sweat, in fact it was interesting to learn that a horse that doesn't sweat is in the most danger.  It is a condition known as anhidrosis.  Another interesting fact I came across is that a less athletic horse will sweat a rich, foamy lather, while a physically fit horse will have clear, watery sweat.^*reference* 

If you are resigned to the fact that your horse must be ridden during the summer, then you must be resigned to the fact that your horse will sweat, especially if your climate is hot and humid.  If you are conditioning the horse for performance, then this is part of the game.  A mild case of heat stress is normal, the symptoms being profuse sweating, rapid breathing and increased heart rate.  If you decided to start running every day and were of average physical health, then you would experience these same symptoms.  You would take certain steps to help you improve your performance and prevent harm to your body, such as limiting your exertion, hydrating your body with an electrolyte sports drink, and taking a shower after your exercise session.  These are the parameters you would set for your regime, and it is no different with your horse.  The important thing is to physically condition your horse within parameters that build his cardiovascular and overall strength without getting into a dangerous overheating zone.  The following links will help you establish these parameters and share ways that will help you stay within them (continued below):

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