The Equine Woes of Summer.
Summer this year has been tough! The extreme temperatures and drought require that our horses receive extra care to remain healthy.
- Horses must have shade. It can be in the form of a constructed shelter or trees.
- Keep the horse hydrated. Your horse will appreciate a cool, clean tub of water. Adding salt to the feed will also entice your horse to drink more.
- Keeping hooves healthy may require adding a supplement or application of a hoof treatment to keep them from cracking or breaking off.
BITING FLIES
Horse flies are vicious during the summer, more so at sunset. The flies must have a blood meal just before dark to live another day. (Like the vampire Count Dracula!) Dr Hayes has seen several horses with lumps and swollen areas due to horse fly bites. To prevent the attacks, you must spray your horse just before sunset. Deep woods off with Deet is very effective. Some oily, natural sprays such as Avon Skin so Soft can provide protection. For treatment of the bite swelling, Dr Hayes usually gives Bute and Dex (cortisone).
Small flies and gnats will also cause your horse misery. They gather in large numbers, often in the girth area and can cause raw, painful sores. Fly ointment provides better protection and relief than sprays.
Culicoides (no see ums) gnats are the flies that cause intense itching on horses that are allergic to their bite. These horses will rub out their mane and tail, rub body sores, and ruin fences in the process. These flies bite at dawn and dusk. To be effective, insect repellent must be applied at this time. Preventive treatment is best. Allergic horses are treated with Predef injections in early spring, or given Hydroxyzine powder orally.
ANHIDROSIS
Anhidrosis (non- sweater) is when the horse loses its ability to sweat or regulate heat dissipation. The sweat glands get burned out and the horse stops sweating. Signs are: flared nostrils, rapid respiration, panting, lack of sweating on neck and body, increased drinking and urination, and a temperature of 104.
A new treatment using acupuncture has been very effective on most non sweaters. Dr. Ray Lynn Stuckey of Whitesboro, TX has successfully treated several horses with acupuncture. Some of the horses did not regain the ability to sweat, but they did gain the ability to thermoregulate and stop panting.
Traditional treatments are One AC powder, dark beer, Smart Pak and other oral supplements. Some of the anhidrosis horses keep a long hair coat so keep the hair coat clipped regularly. Install a water mister system in the stall/barn to help keep it cool. Turn the horse out only at night or 24 hours if there is shade at all times in the pasture. Hose the horse off daily especially in the evening, and before and after exercise. If you must ride the anhidrosis horse during summer, do so early in the morning (7am) when it is cooler. Be careful not to overheat it. It is better to wait until October, when the weather is cooler, to ride. The horse can’t perform well when it is compromised with rapid respiration from non-sweating and cannot cool itself.
When the temperature dips below 70 at night in the fall, the non-sweater will regain its ability to sweat. The non-sweating will return next summer. To prevent anhidrosis, start the One AC powder on April 1st, clip the hair coat in May, ride in the am, and do not get the horse hot and sweating. At first sign of anhidrosis, get an acupuncture treatment.
Castration Signs: TOO HOT!
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