First Equine Veterinary Services

🔹Cooling Down Hot Horses in Extreme Temperatures🔹

If you guessed B for our trivia, you’re right! All of the answers ARE ways to cool off a horse, however the FASTEST is with continuous cold water hosing.

For years, horse owners were taught to hose, sweat scrape, repeat or avoid using very cold water on a hot horse because it was thought to cause muscles to cramp or “trap” heat. Fortunately, research has shown those concerns aren’t supported.

🔹Here’s what you should know:

A horse exercising in hot, humid weather generates a *tremendous* amount of heat. The priority is getting that heat out of the body as quickly as possible.

➡️Continuous cold-water hosing is the fastest way to lower core body temperature.⬅️

Cold water absorbs heat directly from the skin and underlying tissues. As long as the water flowing over the horse is cooler than the horse’s body, it continues removing heat. *Sweating, on the other hand, becomes much less effective when humidity is high.*

🔹What about sweat scraping?
In very hot, humid conditions, repeatedly stopping to sweat scrape can actually slow cooling because it interrupts the continuous transfer of heat into fresh, cold water. If you’re using a limited amount of water, sweat scraping between applications makes sense. But if you have access to plenty of running water, keep the hose on the horse.

🔹Fans are your friend.
Combining continuous cold water with airflow increases heat loss even further, making it one of the most effective cooling strategies available.

🔹Should you walk first?
No-not in extreme heat. Start cooling immediately! Walking can be incorporated afterwards, but don’t delay active cooling.

🔹What about alcohol or liniment?
While these products can cool surface temperatures, there’s no evidence that these cool a horse’s *core* temperature faster than cold water. In fact, alcohol can dry the skin and be painful to any cuts/abrasions, and some liniments may irritate the skin or shouldn’t be used under tack or wraps.

⚠️ Remember: Heat stress can progress quickly! If your horse has persistent rapid breathing, a re**al temperature that isn’t improving with cooling, any noted weakness or altered behavior, continue aggressive cooling while contacting your veterinarian immediately.

🔹The old advice to avoid cold water on a hot horse has been replaced by evidence. When in doubt: cool first, cool continuously, and cool aggressively. 🐴❄️

Don’t forget to order your medications to arrive in preparation for next Fourth of July weekend!!!

Trivia Tuesday!! 🇺🇸

In honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary, do you know the names of George Washington’s two horses he commonly rode into battle?? 🦾

Tell us if you know the answer!!

🚨 NEW WORLD SCREWWORM (NWS) INTERSTATE MOVEMENT UPDATE 🚨

Due to the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida have recently implemented additional requirements for certain warm-blooded animals entering these states.

🐴 For horses coming from affected areas (specific counties in Texas and New Mexico):

🔹 Must have a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) within 5 days of travel

🔹 Specific remarks must be listed on CVI stating the horse has been thoroughly inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation prior to travel.

🔹 A separate entry permit or prior authorization number required per state to enter within 48 hours of travel

🔹 Documentation of any NWS treatment

🐛Unlike many maggots that feed on dead tissue, NWS larvae feed on living tissue, causing rapidly enlarging wounds, severe pain, secondary infections, and potentially death if untreated.

For practices near major horse transportation corridors (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas), these transportation requirements are likely to become a routine part of interstate health certificate work until the outbreak is contained.

We will continue to keep our clients updated of any changes in travel restrictions as we are informed.