After a hard workout or on a hot day, you would
expect to see your horse sweating. However some
horses can suffer from a condition called Anhidrosis,
which is the inability to sweat normally. Anhidrosis is a
condition most commonly seen in horses living in hot,
humid climates and can affect any horse regardless
of age, sex or breed.
Anhidrosis can be a very serious condition as
horses need to sweat in order to effectively cool
their core body temperature. The evaporation of
sweat on the horse's body is how they cool their
body temperature during hot weather or exercise.
If a horse is not sweating effectively for the
circumstances, it can lead to overheating, heat
stroke and be potentially fatal.
The exact cause of Anhidrosis is not known, although
there are some indications that environmental stress,
exercise, metabolic issues and hereditary factors are
involved. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose
but some signs to look out for include;
» A dry coat after exercise or during very hot
weather. They can be completely dry or dry except
for being a little damp under tack and between the
hind legs
» Increased respiratory rate, heavy breathing,
flared nostrils and/or shallow breaths after or during
exercise or on hot days
» Increased temperature
» Lethargy, poor performance or decreased stamina
» A poor dull coat with possible hair loss or thinning
and/or dry, flaky skin
There is a test that your veterinarian can do called
a "Sweat Test" to diagnose Anhidrosis. This involves
the veterinarian injecting a drug under the skin to
cause localised sweating, if the horse does not sweat
it can be determined that they do have Anhidrosis.
With no known cure for Anhidrosis it becomes
about how to manage the condition and avoid
overheating. Some suggested methods to help
a horse with Anhidrosis include;
» Moving the horse to a cooler climate
» Exercise them in the cooler times of the day like
early morning or the evening
» Have the horse as fit as possible when coming
into hotter months to reduce stress during exercise
» Cool them down after exercise or during hot
weather by using cold water and fans
» Provide them with shade during the day and if
kept in stables ensure it is well ventilated.
If you ever have any concerns about your horse or
suspect that they could have Anhidrosis, you should
consult your veterinarian for further advice on
diagnosis and management.
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