In this blog I summarise my three Heat Series YouTubes today as they are all now released.\u00a0 This is a summary of all 3, and for more info you need to watch the video\u2019s!!<\/p>\n
The horse is a large animal with much athletic ability, and they do this using a huge muscle mass.\u00a0 As they convert their stored energy, 70 \u2013 80% of that energy is converted to heat, which all together means horses carry a heat load of about 2-3 X that of a human.<\/p>\n
They also have an unfavourable Surface Area: Mass ratio, and need to sweat 4 X per unit of surface area than humans.<\/p>\n
Heat stress\/exhaustion is a very dangerous thing for the horse, and can lead to death without intervention.\u00a0 Signs include;<\/p>\n
If the weather is hot, then use the following guidelines to determine whether or not to ride.\u00a0 Is your horse;<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t tick these boxes, then ride only when it is cooler.<\/p>\n
If you are comfortable that your horse is ok to ride in heat, or you are training for heat then<\/p>\n
Minimise use of boots<\/p>\n
Minimise transport \u2013 or ensure transport has adequate air flow\/air conditioning.\u00a0 If you need to transport allow time for horse to rehydrate when arriving at destination prior to riding.<\/p>\n
Train your horse to drink isotonic solution, for effective rehydration following ride<\/p>\n
Monitor your horses temperature<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The BEST currently known cooling method is to place your horse in front of fans and in shade (ad lib for trees and a breeze if needed).\u00a0 Douse your horse in large volumes of cold water, constantly sponging or hosing the water over the whole horses body.\u00a0 Ideally to cool the most effectively\u00a0 the horse is as completely covered as possible in the cold water \u2013 iced water is even better!!.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
For more information, watch the video!<\/p>\n