How do you treat anhydrosis in horses?

Question

i have a 7 year old gelding who i recently found out has anhydrosis meaning he doesnt sweat very much.... does anyone know an easy way to help him sweat?

i know i have to be extra careful with him when im riding especially in the summer when it gets like 90+degrees here... he pants a lot too, and i have to give him showers often and put him under a fan...

please help!

thanks!

Answer 1

Salt doesn't help anhydrosis.  I don't have time to search the net to see if there are any new drugs to stimulate sweating.  You should though...your horse needs frequent water cooling...you can mix rubbing alcohol into a bucket of water to increase the rapidity of evaporation to cool him down...on humid days, this won't work anymore than sweating does...then just hose him with cool water...linger on this legs for several minutes which will cool the blood that then circulates throughout the body and cools it...then do the whole body.

EDIT...I looked on the internet...found nothing legitimate to treat it.  Beware of claims for herbal remedies...if they worked, drug companies would be using them to make legitimate drugs that would give them the profits.  Be sure you vet has investigated the cause thoroughly enough...there may be a treatment if the cause is treatable.

Answer 2

http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/hors...

I've heard many, many good reports on Robert McDowell & do believe in herbal remedies from first hand experience.  Obviously this seems very expensive but I'd look into the herbs mentioned & research them individually to find out more about them & dose rates & make a herbal mixture for your horses feed yourself, it'd work out alot cheaper!  

a-z dictionary of herbs can be bound here - http://www.countrypark.com.au/a_z_herbs/...

Herbs mentioned include:

Dandelion

Nettle

Red Clover

Borage

Kelp

Blue Flag

Violet Leaves

Hawthorn

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy (homeopathic remedy to help relax & lower stress levels - I use this on myself, horses, dogs, it's great!) :)

Fenugreek Seeds - Two dessertspoons of seeds added to 1 litre of boiling water and allowed to cool. This is divided into two portions seeds and all and split between morning and afternoon feeds.

I wish you & your horse all the best xoxo

Answer 3

Sometimes called "puffing" syndrome. There are several things on the market that may help treat your horse.  Kevadel is a "natural" ingredient support for horses that do not sweat.  The Equiwinner Patch is an electrolyte that signals the skin to release stored sodium.  I recommend that before you consider using ANY treatment, that you discuss them with your vet.  Good luck with your horse!

Answer 4

Do you give him plenty of salt.  I use a trace mineral and salt block both for horses like that.  I do not force them to take any since they are not sweating to get rid of it but instead give it free choice.  Some it helps a lot and others not as much.  Those that it helps are those that are not sweating because their body is low in salt so their body is trying to conserve it.

As I tried to state (poorly I admit) this will not help with treating the anhydrosis.  What it will do is the maximize the amount of sweating the horse can do.  It will still not be enough to keep the horse from overheating when worked on a hot day but it may be enough to help it feel a little better.