1. Windarra Park Vet Clinic
Providing the care your animal deserves
February 2014
Electrolytes
With summer heating up
don’t forget to keep up with
your electrolytes.
We supply 5kg buckets or
amounts to suit your needs
made by us at the clinic.
If you return with your
empty bucket you save $5!
Contact Details
Clinic : 8388 1200 all hours
Pager : 8378 3712
for after hours emergency
Fax :
83881156
Veterinarians
Dr.Andrew Loose
Dr.Tanya Dodi
Veterinary Nurses
Mandy Napier
Alana Pitts
ICE BOOTS
These Equine Boots can aid in injury prevention,
significantly reduce swelling and soreness, and can
aid to speed up the recovery process. They can also
be useful in the cooling of limbs after strenuous
exercise.
The Boots are lined with polar fleece for your
horse’s comfort and the inserts hold 2 evenly placed
hot/cold gel packs. The gel packs maintain their
flexibility when frozen, are easily microwavable
when heat is required and can be reused multiple
times for either application. If you are unsure
whether heating or cooling application is required
for your horse please seek veterinary advice.
Designed for use under the knee/hock and down to
the fetlock joint.
Available in two sizes:
Medium: 32cm x 27cm or Large: 38cm x 32cm
Prices (pair):
M: $49.95
L: $55.95
Hendra Vaccines
We are now stockist of
DONNYBROOK HOOF!
Is your horse due for it’s 6 monthly booster?
Please take notice that the expiry date outlined on your hendra vaccination certificate is the last possible date to
receive your boosters. If you cannot get the booster prior to this date you will need to re-start the vaccination
course. We therefore advise that you book your vaccinations at least one week prior to the expiry date to allow
for any unforseen events preventing vaccination.

2. Heat stress in exercising horses
During exercise approximately 80% of the energy produced is given off as heat. In horses at least two thirds
of this heat is dissipated by the evaporative cooling of sweat produced by the skin. The remaining heat is
either stored within the body or released via the respiratory tract or other mechanisms. Although horses
possess these effective methods of heat loss there is a higher potential for the development of heat stress if;
 The horse has not been adequately conditioned for any athletic event contemplated in the heat
 Adverse ambient conditions are present, particularly high temperatures and humidity (these dramatically
limit the heat loss provided by evaporative cooling) with inadequate shade or water
 The horses thermoregulatory mechanisms are impaired such as anhidrosis (inability to sweat normally)
Signs of heat stress:
 Depression
 Weakness
 Reduced exercise capacity
 Refusal to continue exercising
 Elevated heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal
temperature
 Serious muscular disorders or metabolic
disturbances can occur as a result of heat stress
 Severe cases can progress to ataxia, collapse and
convulsions
 Coma and death are rare consequences
Prevention of heat stress:
 Don’t compete in strenuous and/or endurance events in excessively hot weather (see EA hot weather
policy: http://www.equestrian.org.au/?Page=30610 )
 Electrolyte and fluid supplementation to compensate for the losses caused by sweating
If losses reach a certain level normal sweating is impaired and the risk of heat stress is increased. If exercise
continues muscle and core temperatures can reach critical levels which will effect muscle metabolism, central
nervous system function and exercise capacity (quicker to fatigue).

Provide adequate training for your horse prior to the event/training exercise
Acclimatisation to exercise in the heat is also an important factor (15 day acclimatisation periods can be beneficial).
This means having your horse athletically fit and training in warm but not hot conditions.

Management throughout the event / training exercise
Train endurance horses to drink during competitions or at mandatory rest points
Take your horse’s rectal temperature throughout the day to monitor their core body temperature (should not exceed
38.5oC)

Providing adequate shade and water even for paddocked
horses
Treatment of heat stress:
Early detection and medical treatment of heat stress by a
veterinarian is vital. In the event heat stress is detected;
 Cease exercise
 Provide shade
 Use fans or cool breezes combined with repeated cool water
or alcohol baths

3. 
Apply towels wet with iced water or ice packs to the large vessels of the horses limbs and trunk
Do not completely douse the horse with iced water.
Ice boots can also be used by applying to the limbs after events for approximately 20 minutes.


Or allow the horse to stand in shallow water
AND seek veterinary assistance
Hopefully this helps provide some insight into the many mechanisms horses have to regulate their body
temperatures and the limitations these mechanisms possess. In the event you are faced with a competition
scheduled for a day of high temperature and/or humidity please consider the health of your horse and do not
hesitate to withdraw your horse from the competition if you are worried. However if you chose to compete
please make sure your horse is adequately prepared and monitor your horse for signs of heat stress with the
help of attendants and veterinarians to help minimise the risk of potentially life threatening hyperthermia.
Written by Alicia Rochler BSc (VetBioSc), DVM II student
References:
Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Schroter RC, Harris RC, Harris PA, Roberts CA & Mills PC, 1999 ‘Physiological
responses of horses to a treadmill simulated speed and endurance test in high heat and humidity before and
after humid heat acclimation’, Equine Veterinary Journal, vol 31, no 1, pp. 31-42.
Hodgson DR, Davis RE, McConaghy FF, 1994 ‘Thermoregulation in the horse in response to exercise’,
British Veterinary Journal, vol 150, no 3, pp. 219-235.