Horses in Louisiana’s hot, humid climate are at greater risk for a condition called anhidrosis that makes them unable to sweat and regulate their body temperature. Owners should take precautions to keep horses healthy, like providing access to an area where they can be cooled off by a fan. Photo by Neely Walker/LSU AgCenter News Release Distributed 09/09/15
BATON ROUGE, La. – Horse owners in Louisiana’s hot, humid climate need to take precautions against anhidrosis, a condition that makes horses unable to sweat and regulate their body temperature, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.
“A normal horse loses between 65 and 70 percent of its body heat when sweat evaporates,” Walker said. “The inability to sweat in hot, humid climates can become a serious health threat.”
Anhidrosis is more prevalent in the Gulf South, Walker said. But all horses, regardless of breed, sex, age or color, are equally at risk for developing the condition.
The most common symptom of anhidrosis is a horse being unable to cool down after exercise, Walker said. When horses with anhidrosis are exposed to conditions that would make a normal horse sweat, small patchy areas of sweat will appear under the mane, saddle and in the flank. Their respiration rate and temperature will also increase.
As the condition progresses, horses may develop dry, flaky skin; hair loss; loss of appetite; fatigue and decreased water intake, Walker said.
If horses with anhidrosis are forced to exercise in hot environments, respiration, temperature, heart rate and blood pressure can rise to dangerous levels, she said. Horses can die from extreme cases of anhidrosis.
“The only known successful therapy is moving affected horses to a cooler environment,” Walker said. “Horses affected with this condition must be managed carefully to prevent overheating.”
Owners should make sure horses have cool drinking water and reduce exercise during extreme weather conditions, she said. They can also provide access to areas with fans, misters and air conditioning; offer electrolytes, and reduce concentrate or grain feeds.
Other treatment and prevention methods are under investigation, Walker said.
“Until a more reliable treatment option becomes available, make sure to manage horses with this condition carefully,” she said.
Olivia McClure