What to do if your horse has heat stroke

Heat stoke can happen to horses whether they are working hard, standing in stuffy stables, or traveling in trailers. Call a vet and take immediate action if your horse exhibits any of these symptoms:

• Elevated respiration in an inactive horse (normal range is 4 to 16 breaths per minute).
• Elevated pulse in an inactive horse, pulse that does not drop after several minutes, or climbs once exercise has stopped.
• Profuse sweating or no sweating at all.
• Elevated body temperature above 39.4 degrees celsius.
• Irregular heart beat know as 'thumps'.
• A depressed attitude.
• Dehydration. Test for this by observing your horse's flanks. If they look caved in, he is probably dehydrated. Pick up a pinch of skin along your horse's  neck. If the skin snaps back quickly, the horse is sufficiently hydrated. If the pinched area collapses slowly, the horse is dehydrated.

What to do until the Vet arrives

Use shade, cool water, breezes, or fans as best you can. Stand your horse in a pond or stream. Sponge or spray the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs and belly.