It happened! After months of Ferrous not able to sweat sufficiently to cool his body temperature, we had a breakthrough. My Welsh/ Appendix pony has anhidrosis, also known as “no sweat”. The past summer, New Jersey experienced an even more humid climate than normal. While Ferrous was turned out at night, he was primarily in his stall with a fan during the day. The few rides we had were either light hacks or in the early morning or evening when temperatures were cooler.   *Please note this post was NOT sponsored by SmartPark nor does it have affiliate links. This is my unbiased and honest opinion.   Temperatures dropped recently…

I love talking about my work with horses and dogs and how I can help them through sports massage. But my favorite responses are when I tell them what I do for a living. It varies of course, but almost always has some surprised face and follow-up questions. The most common question I receive from equestrians and non-equestrians alike is, “How often do you get kicked or bitten?” The answer, I haven’t yet. There are many reasons that horses are not defensive while I work on them. My methods work with equine massage, but also for anyone working with equines. Communicate Communication is the most important tool at my disposal.…

Ah, summer. The beautiful lush grass and extended daylight lead to more time in the saddle and with your favorite equine. But when your horse has anhidrosis or “no sweat”, summer can be deadly. Here are the symptoms to watch for and help with your horse. What is Anhidrosis? Anhidrosis refers to the inability to sweat properly and can affect certain areas of the body, or the entire horse. Commonly referred to as “no sweat” in equestrian circles, your horse may be mildly affected or severely affected resulting in the potential for heatstroke. Horses cool themselves by sweating so when the ability to do so is compromised, exercise or high…

  It’s extremely important to know when your horse may be dehydrated and how to prevent dehydration. In the summer heat, dehydration can become fatal if left untreated and cause your horse to feel very uncomfortable. If your horse competes or is a working horse, dehydration can also decrease your horse’s performance. Heat waves are fairly uncommon in the UK, however when they do arise horse owners need to be very cautious and take extra care in making sure their horses stay cool and hydrated at all times. If you don’t check for dehydration your horse can become seriously ill. Dehydration can lead to health issues such as colic,  rhabdomyolysis…