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Post by leahlady on Aug 15, 2008 9:36:30 GMT -5
It was hot yesterday - probably upper 80's. I got to the barn at about 10 p.m. to feed Lady. She had two sweat marks on her rump, one on each side of her tail, that were still completely wet. It was a hot day, so not odd if she was sweating a bit, but it had cooled down for the evening and those patches were still completely wet. I was just at the barn to feed breakfast, and the patches are still there. Completely wet, still!! I hosed off her rump and will check on her in an hour or so to see if the patches gone.... She was bright eyed, calm, eating, had been licking on her salt lick all day, and she drank most of the water in her tank. (~15 gallons) So seemed completely normal otherwise. I have noticed this once before, but the patch was only on one side and almost dry - that first time I thought maybe she had rolled in something. What on earth could this be?  This is something I have never seen. |
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honeydofarm
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Post by honeydofarm on Aug 15, 2008 10:35:00 GMT -5
My old arab broodie has a spot like that. On her left side, halfway between her tail and her hip bone, but a little farther down. It sweats like crazy when it gets warm. She is fine otherwise. I guessed that it is some overactive sweat gland. I have kept an eye on it, but so far it hasn't been a cause for concern.
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Post by schwung on Aug 15, 2008 12:09:18 GMT -5
We have now had two horses that have abnormal sweat patterns. Heidi was one of them, she had a spot on her shoulder and another on her flank that were almost always damp. Isabelle was the other - she had a spot on her shoulder.
The good news is that both mares sweat normally during exercise, so anhydrosis was not so much of a concern. Just make sure she has enough water and doesn't overheat and she is probably fine, but I don't know what causes this. Dr. Hannah thought it could be related to lack of nutrition, but it didn't go away when the horses got healthy and your horse has always been well-fed so I am guessing that is not the cause.
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Buena
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Post by Buena on Aug 15, 2008 13:17:46 GMT -5
Leah, maybe supply her with loose salt instead of a lick. If she was on it all day she might need more salt than she can consume from the lick. You can use regular rock salt from the grocery store, or get it cheaper by the 50 pound bag from the feed store. Just don't get the mineralized (red) as most likely the plain white will work just fine (and be cheaper). I leave a little rubber pan out and Buena munches on it from time to time, more when it's warm out like this.
Maybe there is some nerve.muscle/tissue damage in the area (complete guess on that). I would be calling my vet to ask questions. Doesn't sound serious at all, though.
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Post by leahlady on Aug 15, 2008 14:13:45 GMT -5
I called Dr. Hannah and she wasn't too worried - I'm going to cold hose and re-check her in a few hours and then call Hannah again to find out more.
Maybe I will get her some loose salt - she really goes after the salt block, biting chunks out of it.
Lady sweats normally otherwise - so this is just very odd to me! I have had this horse 8 years and am basically neurotic about her well-being - so I'm almost certain that this is a new thing. Just... wierd!
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Post by leahlady on Aug 15, 2008 18:44:31 GMT -5
Lady's sweat marks were gone by this afternoon; she got a cold bath because it is like 90 degrees, and the marks haven't returned. I'm wondering if they will come back tonight. I can always count on Lady to have a mysterious injury or an unusual illness any time I ever try to leave on a trip, have finals, or any major life event that takes me away from her for longer than usual. (I am going to Tom Petty tomorrow and then the Oregon Coast... yipee!) I swear, I will find this horse hanging by her tail from the barn rafters the morning of my wedding, waiting for me to come rescue her. (and of course, I would call the wedding off  ) |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Aug 19, 2008 19:43:52 GMT -5
Odd sweating like this is a sign of Anhydrosis - which can vary in degree from horse to horse. Feeding a product like One AC is a good place to start(and won't hurt a horse who doesn't have it) also a product from horsetech.com called Quench is very good. The other thing is to keep the horse out of the direct heat - so stall with fans during the day, turnout at night - or setting up sprinklers that will mist and spray over the horse to help keep them cool.
It is important to watch that your hrose dose not fully stop sweating. On hot days you may want to limit riding/working the horse and keep feeding a very good quality electrolye(One AC) daily year round.
Sara
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Aug 19, 2008 19:48:19 GMT -5
Also - with the amount of salt being consumed - I woudl say DITCH your salt/mineral block - leave out a WHITE plain salt block and then go ahead and offer a very good quality, chealted, free choice mineral. Salt eating like that is often a sign that the horse needs minerals. I use adn recommend ADM Gro-Strong minerals. They come in a block or loose - but I like the loose better. Put them in a pan that can't be dumped. Start at around 1 cup a day and if she eats that, replenish the next day. At first, she might gobble these like they are going out of stlye - but, they level off as their bodies get what they need.
You can order these online or buy at Reber Ranch. just ask for Gro-Strong minerals(tell them it how it is spelled lol - they can't find it in the ocmputer some times!)
Sara
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This is something I have never seen. 
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