b'Often the horse just wants a little shade for his head, he says. Run-in sheds are great, but horses dont like to go clear into them for shade because a shed is too sealed up for much air flow and its hot inside. They prefer a breeze, even if that means standing out in full sun to get it.Take care when exercising horses in hot conditions. During exercise, heat production in the horses body will increase up to 50%, says Williams. In response to heat, the horse will sweat more, move a large portion of the blood flow to capillaries under the skin, and increase respiration rate to help the cool-ing process. Always cool horses properly after exercise, allowing plenty of time and ventilation, and avoid riding in extreme heat and humidity. A high resting heart rate can be a sign of heat stress. At rest, normal range of heartbeats per minute is between 24 ELLEN PONSand 40. In a heat-stressed horse it can be over 50, says Williams. Internal rectal temperature will also be elevated to 104 degrees F or higher. You might have to keep horses adapting to sudden heat out of the sun and under fans or misters.One way to help prevent heat stress in hot weather is to make sure horsespouring it over the body (or adding someIts when we alter their natural condition drink enough and to provide electrolytesto the water you put on the horse) will aidand confine them that they tend to have if horses are training hard and sweatingevaporation and speed the cooling effect. trouble.profusely. You might also want to makeIf you are bringing a horse from dietary adjustments, such as feedingHandling Temperature Swings Florida to Mid-Atlantic or northeastern more fat and less protein. Again, left to their own devices, horsesstates in winter, he will need help to stay Connally says horse owners shouldntcan usually handle temperature changes.warm, says Williams. When taking a feed a lot of fiber in hot climates because of the heat it generates. You walk a fine line, though, he says, because if you get the fiber too low you create otherDandy Products, Inc.problems, including colic, because the digestive tract needs a certain amount ofPadding & Flooring Specialistsfiber to function normally.Rich alfalfa hay or any high-protein dietPadding At Its Bestcan also be counterproductive for hard- Breeding Sheds, Stocks, Stalls, Trailers, Exercise & Training Areas,working horses in hot conditions becauseInduction & Recovery Rooms Table & Surgical Pads,the protein-metabolizing process likewiseNeo-Natal Foal Bedsproduces heat, along with increasing wa-ter requirements. Adjust the diet to fit theNon-Slip Safety Floors for All Areasconditions your horse is working in.Pavesafe Bricks & Tiles, Trac-Roll & Vet-Trac Floors,If a horse does suffer from heat stressWash Stall,Grooming, Aisleway and Trailer Matsor exhaustion, he probably needs a veteri-narian to administer intravenous fluids,Toll-Free 888.883.8386513.625.3000says Connally. This is the quickest way toFAX 513.625.2600replace what hes lost and prevent severe dehydration, he says. If you are out on the trail and this is not an option, simply stop, take off all tack, and cool him with water over his body as best you can. If3314 State Route 131, Goshen, Ohio 45122www.dandyproducts.netyou have access to (rubbing) alcohol, TheHorse.com|The HorseNovember 201833'