PRESENTED BY

Official Wellness Partner of the NRCHA

BY JOE CARTER, DVM

Horses are supposed to sweat while exercising—it’s part of their bodies’ wellness plan.

Sweating is a more complicated process than you might think. Sweat production is facilitated by the release of acetylcholine from nerve fibers, which stimulates sweat glands to release sweat.

Sweat evaporation from the skin’s surface plays a critical role in a horse’s thermoregulation. This is most apparent when a horse’s ability to sweat is compromised during periods of strenuous physical labor and/or exposure to hot environments. When a horse’s sweat production decreases or is absent, its body’s core temperature rises sharply with exercise/heat stress, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke if other ways of cooling are not provided. That means paying attention to a horse’s sweat flow rate is an important factor in determining if it may develop a life-threatening condition.

Lack of sweating—called anhidrosis—can get a horse in trouble quickly. Horsemen often call horses that don’t sweat “non-sweaters.” Anhidrosis is a condition in which a horse’s sweat glands don’t function as they should to remove heat and cool its body. An overheated horse can be a dangerous— even life-threatening—situation. This condition frequently limits a horse’s performance and may put it at risk for hyperthermia or heatstroke.

Horses have an internal thermostat called the hypothalamus. If their temperature goes above normal, the hypothalamus sends signals to sweat glands to get to work. Compared to humans, horses sweat twice as much per square inch of skin. During extensive exercise, a horse can lose anywhere from 2½ to 4 gallons of liquid. It is important to know that horses lose electrolytes when they sweat. Humans lose mostly water, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance that leaves us thirsty.

The cause of anhidrosis is not well defined, but it’s believed to involve overstimulation of a horse’s sweat glands by stress hormones, typically occurring in the heat of summer.

The simplest treatment is the supplementation of electrolytes. Moving a horse to a cooler climate is the only known successful approach. Treatments with minimal scientific evidence include supplementing dark beers, salts, vitamins/electrolytes or thyroid hormones.

L-tyrosine, an essential amino acid used to make the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, is frequently anecdotally used as a supplement to prevent or treat anhidrosis. Tyrosine is a precursor to thyroid hormone. L-tyrosine’s role as a precursor to so many important chemicals and hormones in the body is the theory behind why it may work to treat or prevent anhidrosis.

If you suspect your horse is not sweating enough and/or developing anhidrosis contact your veterinarian.

Respectfully,

Joe Carter, DVM

Oklahoma Equine Hospital Official NRCHA Veterinarian

Over$500,000 in CHROME CASH was paid out at events in 2022!

Don’t miss out on 2023 CASH - Get your eligible AQHA horse registered with APHA and enter the Chrome Cash classes at participating NRCHA events!

2 0 2 3 Nrcha Events

Celebration of Champions

$5,125 paid out

Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch

Stallion Stakes

$2,000 added

Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch

Western Derby

$2,000 added

APHA World Show

$22,000 added to WCH Challenge classes

Eastern Derby

$2,000 added Snaffle Bit Futurity

$3,500 added

Sponsored by Covered by Cori Equine & Cattle Insurance

APHA registration is the ONLY requirement to enter Chrome Cash, a class within a class.

Here are SOME of the APHA registered sires & dams with competing foals :

• CATTY HAWK

• DANDY CAT

• GUNNATRASHYA

• HISSY CAT

• HYDRIVE CAT

• METALLIC MASTERPIECE

• METALLIC REBEL

• ONCE YOU GO BLACK

• ONE TIME ROYALTY

• QUEJANAISALENA

• REYZIN THE CASH

• SADIE THE CAT

• SHES TWICE AS SMOOTH

• SMOOTH AS A CAT

• SMOOTH TALKIN STYLE

• SPARKTILION

• STEVIE REY VON

• ZEZES PEPTO CAT

Questions or ready to register?

Text or call Sunny Bates at 817-219-7985

Two ways to APHA Registration:

Lineage – If your AQHA horse has at least one APHA registered parent, your horse may be eligible for APHA registration REGARDLESS OF COLOR. Markings - If your AQHA horse has 2 inches of solid white hair in the qualifying area (above the hock/knee & behind the eye)