Welcome to this FEI Beat the Heat episode about competition management and emergency
response for horses in thermally challenging environments.
In this video, we will show you how you can optimise your horse’s condition while competing
in hot and humid climates, and help you identify signs of heat distress, and how to respond
efficiently in case of a heat related illness.
Let’s start with a quick reminder During the first days after arrival, it is
crucial to give your horse at least 3 days to recover before starting any training in
the heat.
Once you do start training, remember to increase heat exposure and training intensity progressively,
in order to ensure a smooth acclimatisation process so that you can prepare and be ready
for competition.
Tips for Competition management in hot and humid environments:
Your most important daily routine is to monitor your horse’s health, feed and amount of
water intake very closely.
This will help you avoid most heat related issues throughout the competition period.
Look out for signs of Anhidrosis or lack of sweating.
Affected horses have a decreased capacity to cool themselves and need frequent and effective
cooling.
They usually have dry and flaky skin.
Provide your horse with unlimited access to water at all times: before, during and after
training or competition, and also during the night.
It is best to provide several buckets with fresh clean water at around 20-25 degrees
Celsius.
(68-77 Fahrenheit) Prevent sunburn with fly sheets, fly masks
and use sunscreen on pink skin areas.
Apply adapted warm up techniques.
In hot climates, horses warm-up more rapidly but also get tired more quickly.
Split the warm up time into 3 equal sessions separated by cooling periods and add another
cooling period before entering the competition.
At this point you are best prepared, but sometimes heat can lead to unwanted health emergencies
for your horse that require an immediate response.
If your horse does not seem right, you need to quickly recognise the signs and react accordingly.
Signs of heat exhaustion are: Rapid breathing or panting,
Increased heart rate Elevated rectal temperature above 40° Celsius
- 104 Fahrenheit Lethargic, depressed attitude
In this case you should immediately: Stop the exercise
Allow the horse to drink Move to a shaded and ventilated area
Apply cold water to the entire body
Your horse might show even stronger symptoms such as:
Reduced ability to react Aggressive behaviour
Neurological signs such as unsteadiness, tripping, increased or decreased level of excitement
Rearing, Striking out Running over people
Lying down suddenly These could be signs of heat stroke, an absolute
medical emergency.
Stay calm and do the following: Be careful and think about your safety and
the safety of your horse first.
Start cooling the horse immediately by applying large amounts of iced water all over the body
as quickly as possible to avoid permanent damage
Call the Veterinarian Try to keep the horse moving to a shaded and
ventilated area
If your horse collapses, Stay behind its back, away from the legs
Ask for help to keep it down and calm One person applies pressure just behind the
poll with one knee Another applies pressure on the neck, and
raises the muzzle.
Place a towel on the eyes and facial nerves Keep cooling with iced water and wait for
the veterinarian Let an experienced veterinarian organise the
rescue and medical care for your horse
If your horse is totally uncontrollable, try to cool it as best and as safely as you can
and wait for the veterinarian to come and sedate it.
Once the crisis is over the veterinarian will follow intense rehydration protocols with
isotonic fluids, before starting an in-depth health check and administering medication
until full recovery is achieved.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can look scary, but don’t panic.
Remember that most horses make a speedy and complete recovery!
So stay vigilant, follow the recommendations and watch all our Beat the Heat videos to
be fully prepared for competing with your horse in hot and humid environments.
Bye for now, and go beat that heat!