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[RC] Hot horses - Bruce Weary DCHi Mike--Working in 105 degree heat will challenge any horse. Overheating would manifest with one or more signs, including panting, profuse sweating (especially around the torso), lack of energy, eventual loss of sweating, loss of interest in eating and drinking, staggering, a dull look in the eye, slow heart rate recovery, etc.,. Sort of how I looked the morning after my bachelor party. You might try feeding the horse a little grain before you go out to work. Warm him up slowly to let his sweating and blood vessel dilation mechanisms adapt, and show him snacks and water throughout the workout. Wet him down if you can. I have read somewhere ( although I don't remember where) that there may not be additional benefit to the horse from working him in those temperatures. He may be exposed to those temps at a ride, but not usually for very long, and horses are pretty resilient when it comes to tolerating it for short periods without actually training over 100 degrees. I can't prove any of this, but I'll do a bit of reading and see if I can support it. You know me. If I don't know the answer, I just make somethin' up. Dr Q who's late for General Hospital =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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