Hot Topic: Heat Stress and Horses
Sunny summer days exert a certain power over horse owners, urging us to get out and ride NOW, before winter slaps us senseless again. However, summer temperatures can put your horse at risk for heat stress – a common condition that can have serious consequences if not recognized and treated early enough. On those really hot summer days, horses appreciate having plenty of fresh, cool water -- inside and out! CAUSE AND PREVENTION Horses have a large body mass relative to their surface area, which makes them good at staying warm when it is cold, but not as efficient at cooling off when it gets hot out. For this reason, your horse’s “perfect day” might feel slightly chilly to you. Says Jennifer Jackson, DVM, of the Kamloops Large Animal Veterinary Clinic in Kamloops, BC, “Horses are most comfortable at 50-60 F, and concerns should be in motion once the temperature gets to 75 F or higher. Humidity also plays a part, because it affects the ability of the ...