Okay, so that’s really not the name of the old rock group, but it did get your attention.

Here in Florida we are in full summer weather.  Having spoken with a few of my friends from other parts of the country, they are still stuck in spring.  Which for horse people is usually a good thing.  My one friend said two weeks ago that they were expecting a frost that night in MI.  My girlfriend in N.J. was pulling out her heavy winter blanket last night.  June 2nd, that seems really impossible to me.  But as in Florida, summer will come.

What I really want to impress upon everyone is to be aware of what is going on with your horse, the sweat part especially.

Keep aware if they are sweating, or not.  You may think, well I guess it’s just not that hot today, or boy he’s really taking the heat well this year.  NOT!  His body may have just shut down on sweating.

Know what is normal for your horse.  If he would usually be wet under a given circumstance, and he’s not, “Houston we have a problem.”

When my Clyde was a baby her thermostat did not kick in and we had to body clip her at two days old.  It’s common with Clyde babies, and if they are not kept cool, they will die.  So will your horse.

Here’s where the beer comes into play.  In the old days they used to give horses beer to get them to start sweating again.  No, not light beer, or the fancy beers they have now-a-day.  Beer with real hops and all the real ingredients.  Then I had a vet that recommended Potassium Chloride, but it’s a pain to pound the little rocks into a powder.  It worked, but it took a little time.  I’ve used acupuncture and Chinese herbs that worked well, and you do have products on the market that also work well.

Bottom line isn’t the products, it’s noticing that there is a problem, and doing something about it.  If a horse doesn’t sweat, it doesn’t cool itself.  If a horse gets overheated, it could die.  Break out the cold water and ice, (not for your drink) and get that body temperature down (theirs, not yours).  After you get theirs down, you can work on yours.

The next time you break out a beer for yourself or someone you know, think – has my horse been sweating like he should?  Actually when I walk out in the morning I look to see who’s sweating and who isn’t.  Whenever I pass during the day I give a quick look, and then again in the evening.

Once again, know what is normal and what isn’t.  When you go to buy a six-pack, just say, it’s for my horse, he’s of legal age, and he’s not driving.  You can show them his Coggins along with your photo ID or proof of age.  Bottoms up!