In our Ask the Vet column, Dr. Lydia Gray answers your horse-health questions at HorseChannel.com/AskTheVet.
Q: I have a horse that was diagnosed with anhidrosis. Aside from medication, is there anything I can do to help him? I once saw a horse like that at a barn I was at before, and since medication wouldn’t help him much, the owner decided to start giving him half a beer every morning to help him sweat. Apparently it worked, but is that a good idea?
A: The good news is that yes, there are lots of things you can do to help a horse with anhidrosis, or that lacks the ability to sweat either partially or completely. We still don’t understand exactly why horses develop this condition – and there is no FDA-approved prescription medication to treat it – but the supplement One AC does have research behind its use to support a horse’s normal ability to sweat.
According to the manufacturer, horses that have been diagnosed with anhidrosis should begin receiving the supplement before the beginning of the hot season. The manufacturer also suggests reducing strenuous training or work for a minimum of three weeks after first putting the horse on One AC for best results. In fact, some owners keep their nonsweating horses on One AC year-round and simply lower the serving size during the cooler months to avoid having to start up again.
Because sweating is a horse’s primary means of cooling itself, horses that don’t sweat when the temperature rises or when they exercise are at risk of becoming overheated to the point of heat exhaustion and collapse. Here’s some advice that should keep your horse out of trouble:
Although some people swear that beer improves their horse’s ability to sweat, you may be better off sticking with a researched product and sound management tips.
Dr. Lydia Gray is the Medical Director and Staff Veterinarian for SmartPak Equine in Plymouth, MA, where she directs the research and development of products and provides horse health and nutrition education to a wide variety of audiences. Dr. Gray’s work has appeared in more than a dozen general and trade publications and she speaks frequently around the country. She is the proud owner of a Trakehner gelding named “Newman” that she competes in dressage and combined driving.
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