We get so used to doing things, and seeing things, but don’t really “Pay Attention”. I get so into the habit of feeding and caring for the horses that my mind wanders while I’m going about my regular routine. Sometime I just do things automatically and don’t remember doing them. Has this ever happened to you? Wait, don’t tell me.

We know we have to “Pay Attention” when working around horses; watching their body language and movements. That’s not really what I’m talking about. Did you ever ask yourself if you put that supplement in the one horses feed? I have. My mind was already racing forward onto my next step.

This has been an unusual year so far. With the virus and riots, nothing is the same and we are caught up in the “what ifs.” Don’t get me wrong, if you need to freshen up your board that holds all the information on what each horse gets and when they are scheduled for shots and worming, do it. What I’m talking about here is have you noticed that the weather has been weird? I know we’ve had August weather for months now. At least it feels that way to me and the horses. We’ve had a 100 to 110 heat index for at least a month. I know the north has been getting that too. As my friend Linda said to me the other day, “but you’re used to it.” Yeah for a couple of days here and there in August, but not for this length of time. Another girlfriend in New York had to dunk her cat in a sink full of water the other day. It was overheated.

So you look at your horses and see that he/she/they are not sweating yet today. You think, okay they are handling the heat better than me. Or Not. Maybe they are shutting down, they’ve stopped sweating. I know I’ve mentioned that when the humidity number is higher than the air temperature number a horse cannot cool themselves. Bells, whistles, and alarms should be going off in your head. “Danger Will Robinson!” Check for other signs that they are overheating. Labored breathing is the first one I notice. Spotty sweat marks. You know what your horses are normally like. If they are not themselves, game is on. Wetting them is your first step. Drop that body temperature. I’ve had horses that I have left a sprinkler going and they will stand under it all day. Then you have to watch for skin rot. Make sure they have shade, and plenty of fresh, clean water. Make sure they have salt and/or electrolytes available to them. Then think about jump starting their sweating again. I’ve tried 1 AC and have had no luck, some people have. The only thing I’ve found is acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Keep them hosed off and definitely keep an eye on them.

Don’t ignore this. If things are bad – call your vet.

An added note – watch yourself too.