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There are many articles in The Horse
concerning how to detect heat stress. Based on the original findings
after the summer Olympics in 1. Determine a critical number for the
horse, generally starting at 150 but can be higher or lower depending on horse. 2. Add the temperature (F) and % humidity
together. Example: 80 F plus 80% equals 160. 3. Based on history with the horse
determine if the risk outweighs the benefit if the number is higher than the
horse’s critical number 4. Cancel training if too high 5. Stop activity if there is any distress 6. Stop activity if skin temperature reaches
or exceeds 107 in saddle pad area 7. Check recovery times after activity
against previous history (R&P, core temperature) 8. Constantly be observing for any effects
of dehydration, or loss of coordination. 9. Properly hydrate both horse and rider,
allow grazing on fresh grass which is fairly wet inside, avoid dry forage,
really cold water. The risk factors and the benefits must be
weighed both by command and the rider. We have often worked at night
after the temperature has dropped to a more reasonable number or convection currents start
moving the air, which is also better for scent detection. Breed is not as significant as you may
think and sometimes bigger horses work longer simply because of their surface
area and the time it takes for them heat up. WHEN IN DOUBT CONSULT YOUR VET (we did). Irv Lichtenstein From:
msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Cartwright
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