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just a short time at these temperatures, the foal’s
central nervous system can be adversely affected,
as well as other organs.
Obviously the first thing to do is move the foal into
shade. If you can, get a
fan on it to help cool it
down. Cold water from
a hose can go a long
way to lowering the
temperature quickly.
Wet down the neck of
the foal to cool the
jugular vein, as well as in
between the front legs
and between the hind
legs where major blood
vessels are. This quickly
cools down the blood,
and evaporation of the
water on the foal’s coat
and skin will also have a cooling effect. Putting cold
cloths over the foal’s forehead can also be helpful.
Any cold cloths put on the foal will help, but must be
changed frequently. If the foal is really overheated, it
will not struggle very much and a dopey foal that is
staggering or stumbling in severe heat is also
another sign that the foal is in trouble.
Take the temperature of
the foal frequently to insure
that you are bringing the
temperature down to a
normal level. Once a foal has
had heat exhaustion, it can
be susceptible to heat
exhaustion again. It is best to turn these foals out at
night or early in the morning and bring them in well
before it starts to get hot. If it is in a stall during the
day, keep a fan on it. If it has to live in a pasture
situation, consider confining it to a portion of the
pasture that is primarily in shade. If not, the foal
should be monitored closely.
Sometimes foals can have a fairly heavy “foal
coat.” Usually they lose it in the first few months, but
if you live in a hot and humid climate and your foal
overheats, body clipping might be worthwhile to
allow more air
circulation around
the foal.
The take home
message is that foals in
hot weather require
attention, especially in
the first week of life, but
even as they grow. Use
fans and swamp coolers
during the hot days, and
consider turning out in
the evenings if being
kept in stalls. Although
in many parts of the
south, the evenings
aren’t especially cooler than the day, but at least you
don’t have the sun beating down.
HEAT EXHAUSTION IN ADULT HORSES
In adult horses, heat exhaustion is not considered
heat stroke unless the temperature is above 105F
and/or there are neurological signs. Most cases of
heat exhaustion in adult
horses come as a result of
being ridden or worked in
hot and humid weather.
Humidity is the real
problem here. In hot
desert climates, it is
always cooler in the evening, so many trainers work
their horses at night or very early in the mornings to
avoid heat problems.
As a horse works, it generates a great deal of heat
because of its large muscle mass. If it is unable to
cool down properly and dissipate the heat, it can
become hyperthermic. Older horses, especially
Foals in pasture during hot weather need access to
ample shade.
“
ONCE A FOAL HAS HAD HEAT
EXHAUSTION, IT CAN BE SUSCEPTIBLE
TO HEAT EXHAUSTION AGAIN.
”
P
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AHW > 119 < 08 .19
sharon
(sharon)
#1