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HORSE HEALTH: A GUIDE TO TREATS the nostrils flare, and the horse may appear dull, agitated, unusually tired, or slightly uncoordinated. As heat load builds, heart rate stays elevated even after exercise stops, and the gums may become tacky, dry, or slower to refill with colour. and cooling. For horses who are fussy about anything added to their feed, there is also a hydration snack cookie you can try, a homemade treat that disguises electrolytes in a more appealing form. You can find the recipe here.
If electrolyte losses during heavy sweating aren’ t replaced promptly, the consequences can go far beyond simple fatigue. Horses can develop conditions such as thumps, puffs, and even tying‐up, all of which can escalate quickly into medical emergencies. Thumps, properly known as Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter( SDF), occur when the diaphragm begins to contract in rhythm with the heartbeat. This creates a visible jerking of the flanks that almost resembles hiccups, and it is strongly associated with low blood calcium levels. Thumps often appear during rest breaks or recovery periods, especially if a horse has been allowed to drink large volumes of water without receiving appropriate electrolytes. This dilutes blood calcium and potassium even further, worsening the problem instead of relieving it.
Because every horse responds differently to heat and humidity, these early changes can be mistaken for simple fatigue. But once a horse’ s body temperature rises above 40 ° C, the risk of collapse, heat stroke, and organ damage increases rapidly. Knowing what is normal for your horse, its attitude, sweating pattern, breathing, and recovery times, is one of the most powerful tools you have. Even small deviations can be the first warning that something is going wrong.
Heat stress, dehydration, and overheating can progress quickly, and recognising the warning signs early is critical. The following list outlines the key clinical signs associated with dehydration, heat stress, heat stroke, and exhaustion. Some begin subtly, while others signal an immediate emergency. Becoming familiar with these signs will help you detect problems early and act before the horse’ s condition deteriorates( SEE TABLE 1).
Puffs reflect a different disturbance, where panting becomes exaggerated or uncontrollable because the horse can no longer regulate its respiratory rate effectively under heat load. Tying‐up, meanwhile, involves painful muscle cramping and stiffness linked not only to electrolyte deficiencies but also to low levels of key vitamins and minerals or diets too rich in grain. Magnesium, like calcium, is lost in significant amounts through sweat, and horses performing moderate to intense work may need to double their magnesium intake to maintain normal muscle function. Together, these conditions illustrate why preventing dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and overheating is not just good management; it is critical to the horse’ s safety and well-being.
RECOGNISING THE SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS AND DEHYDRATION
Heat stress and dehydration often begin subtly, and the early signs are easy to overlook, especially on hot summer days when sweating and heavy breathing might seem normal. A horse may start by sweating heavily, or just as concerning, may sweat less or only in patches. Breathing may become faster,
Australian Quarter Horse Association- www. aqha. com. au