Do horses get heatstroke?

Although we don’t see the high temperatures in the UK that would be common in other countries, our horses can still suffer from heatstroke. So it is important to be aware of the signs and what to do if it occurs.

Which horses are most likely to get heatstroke?

Exercising a horse in very hot weather comes with a risk of heatstroke. Heat is produced by the body during exercise and this continues to increase with the length and intensity of exercise. Sweat is produced in an effort to cool the body. But if the amount of heat that the body is subject to outweighs the cooling effects of sweating, then the horse can overheat, especially if they haven’t been drinking much water. An overweight horse or one with a thick coat can overheat without performing intense exercise. They should be monitored more closely. 

When travelling a horse in hot weather, remember that it can get quite warm inside a trailer, there may be little ventilation and the horse will probably not have had access to water during the journey, therefore they can also be prone to heatstroke.

What are the signs of heatstroke in horses?

Signs of heatstroke include profuse sweating and an increase in breathing rate and effort, stumbling or staggering may also be observed. The horse may seem quiet, behaving abnormally or collapsing. These signs are very serious and you should call your vet straight away, if this happens at a competition, there is often a vet on-site (and almost always one on-call) that can attend.

How is the condition treated?

If the horse is being ridden, you should dismount immediately and remove the saddle, the horse should be offered a drink of cool water and more cool water should be thrown over the horse. The horse should be walked to encourage cooling unless they have collapsed or are struggling to walk.