Over the summer months, we need to be aware of the risk of heat stress in horses and ponies.

During hot and humid weather heat stress may occur:

- After intense exercise such as endurance or cross-country riding
- During transport especially in poorly ventilated floats
- In some horses that lack a normal ability to sweat, which increases their risk of heat stress 

Severe heat stress can progress to systemic inflammatory response, intravascular coagulation, kidney failure, neurological disease and, in extreme cases, death.

Signs of heat stress include hot and dry skin, persistent high heart and respiratory rates, mental dullness, dark gums and poor refill time, weakness and most obviously, an elevated rectal temperature (41 to 43 degrees Celsius or above).

It is crucial to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. The aim of treatment is to lower the horse's body temperature quickly. Move your horse to a well ventilated shaded area, apply cool running water and fans to the entire body to allow evaporative cooling to occur. Use these methods as a preventative during high-risk weather and exercise.

If required the attending veterinarian will administer intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory and anti-endotoxic medications.

Please be on the lookout for heat stress in your horses and ponies this summer.

The tough drought conditions of 2018 have us focused on stock water requirements going into summer. Recent storm rain has topped up many dams with not only water but a lot of silt - remember water quality is important along with quantity. How much water do you need? Read on......

Water is an essential nutrient for all classes of stock, from high producing cows to newborn calves. The amount required varies as show in the following table.

Average water requirements of stock

The above table shows a large variation in the consumption of water. The three broad factors to consider when assessing water requirements are:

Water quality
If water is not of high enough quality, it can compromise animal welfare and business profitability. The suitability of water for consumption is determined by: salinity, acidity, toxic elements and compounds, bacterial and algal load.

Salinity is the main factor which determines the suitability of water for stock. Salinity increases the intake of water by animals, partly through taste and partly to allow greater water turnover so that the body can regulate salt balance. Water below pH 6.5 or alkaline can cause digestive upsets and rejection of water.

There are many commercially available test kits to test water quality – e.g. NSW DPI laboratory services.

Environmental factors
In hot weather, animals use more water for evaporative cooling (panting). Their heat load depends on the access to shade, humidity and air flow. The amount they drink also depends on the temperature of the water. Stock prefer water below their body temperature and avoid warmer water. Care should be taken to prevent water heating up in water lines heading to stock troughs.

Animal factors
Age and condition of the stock impacts water consumption. Shearing sheep increases the heat load because of the insulation the fleece formerly provided. Water consumption increases nearly 80% as sheep must pant more to dissipate heat.

Known as gelding, this simple operation is the most common elective surgery performed on horses. Gelding a colt involves surgically removing their testicles. Geldings are therefore unable to reproduce and lack high levels of testosterone.

The benefits of gelding your horse include:

- Geldings can be easier to handle, train and ride

- Reduced aggressive behaviour towards humans, and other horses

- Reduced injury risk to the horse

- General ease of management

This operation is usually performed between six months and three years of age. Geldings are often carried out under a short general anaesthetic in the field. The procedure is quick and pain relief is provided. Tetanus protection and antibiotics are given as required. The skin is not usually sutured closed, but left open to drain as the horse moves about. 

Your veterinary surgeon will provide after-care recommendations specific to your horse at the time of operation. Normal management or work can be resumed within a few weeks.

Call us to discuss having one of our skilled vets geld your colt or stallion.