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HORSE HEALTH: A GUIDE TO TREATS
© ARTICLE BY: DR JENNIFER STEWART BVSC BSC PHD EQUINE VETERINARIAN, CEO JENQUINE & CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST EQUINE CLINICAL NUTRITION
HEAT STRESS & DEHYDRATION IN HORSES: THE HIDDEN SUMMER RISKS
There’ s something irresistible about spending a bright, sunny day in the saddle, whether you’ re training, competing, or simply exploring the trails.
Yet beneath the pleasant atmosphere lies a very real challenge for horses: the combined impact of heat, humidity, dehydration, and fatigue. Horses produce enormous amounts of heat during exercise, up to sixty times more than at rest, and their ability to release that heat depends entirely on the environment around them. As riders, understanding this delicate balance is essential because even a fit, well‐trained horse can quickly become overwhelmed.
HOW HORSES COOL THEMSELVES In mild to warm weather, a horse can cool itself efficiently. When the temperature ranges between 20 – 25 ° C and the humidity remains low, blood is diverted to the blood vessels in the skin, where heat naturally dissipates into the cooler surrounding air. Sweating adds an extra layer of protection, allowing evaporation to pull heat out of the body. However, this system depends on two crucial factors: the surrounding air must be
Australian Quarter Horse Association- www. aqha. com. au