We are heading towards the hottest time of year in the Northern Hemisphere and we should all be aware of the possibility of heat stroke. Mostly speaking you would like to be riding someplace cool at this time of year but the weather can surprise us sometimes - the weather report just before leaving said that it would be cool for 5 more days. When you get there, the high-pressure area moved in a lot faster and the heat index just jumped!

Preventative measures are the best way to handle heat stroke. Condition your horse beforehand for the trail. (It would be wise to consult with your vet for a conditioning program designed for your horse's current fitness level and your trail-riding goals.) Monitor the heat index. If it's over 125, avoid rugged/steep terrain, and trails that offer no shade. If the heat index is over 170, cancel your ride! On hot days, allow your horse to rest every half hour and monitor your horse's vital signs at this time, stopping at the first sign of distress; offer him water at least every 2 to 3 hours. Also, do as the endurance/competitive trail riders do, carry a sponge on a line attached to the saddle. The line is usually long enough to drop in the water while still mounted. When you stop in the creek or stream to let the horses drink, you can dip it into the water and squeeze it over the horse's neck. Be sure to wet the sponge before starting your ride so it will sink in the water when you drop it. You can also carry an extra bottle of water to pour over their neck in between the water stops. Don't forget yourself!

Heat stroke happens when your horse isn't able to rid his body of excess heat generated by working muscles. Sweat evaporation is one of the main mechanisms that help the body cool itself. When the weather becomes hot/humid it can render the cooling mechanisms helpless. Blood flow is redistributed close to the body surface to aid in cooling, resulting in a lack of oxygen to internal organs (including the brain). Also, excessive sweating results in fluid and electrolyte losses that can alter your horse's metabolism. Severe heat stress can lead to collapse, seizures or death.

The signs to watch for are weakness/ staggering; reluctance to move; collapse. If any of these symptoms appear check the resting heart and respiration rate. (See below for how to check the heart and respiration rates). If the heart rate is over 60 beats per minute or the respiration rate is over 40 breaths per minute refer to the steps below. Your horse may pant in a doglike manner; his respiration rate will fail to return to normal, even after an adequate period of rest. Dark red or purplish gum color, rectal temperature over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which remains elevated even after rest are also bad signs.

What to do in case you suspect heat stroke:

• Step 1: Immediately dismount, and move your horse out of the direct sun.
• Step 2: Use any available water supply to sponge off your horse. (Tip: A T-shirt makes a handy 'sponge.') Hold the wet cloth/shirt against his jugular veins, located in the grooves in the lower part of his neck (and anywhere else you see large vessels through the skin.) Doing so will cool the blood circulating through your horse's body.
• Step 3: Offer him water. If he's sweating excessively and willing to drink, administer a dose of electrolytes from your first-aid kit.
• Step 4: Monitor your horse's vital signs. Continue sponging your horse until these signs return to normal
• Step 5: Lead your horse home. Stop every 15 minutes and take your horse's vital sign; rest if he shows any signs of distress. (Tip: If you have a long, tough trail to traverse home, wait until early evening, when the temperature cools down, to tackle it.)

• Secure your horse, or have someone hold him for you.
• Carefully watch or cup your hand over his nostrils, or watch between the flank and the last rib. You can also try putting your ear against him to hear the air moving in and out.
• Using a watch or stop watch, count for 15 seconds and multiply by four for the breaths per minute rate.

• A normal horse at rest takes about 10 breaths per minute.
• A high respiratory rate in a resting horse can be caused by excitement, pain or infection.
• How quickly a horse's breathing returns to within normal limits following exercise is one of the best indicators of his fitness level. The standard for competitive riders is within 10 minutes.

• Either secure your horse, or have someone hold him.
• Select which site you will use to take the pulse - either under the jaw, the side of the foot or underneath the dock of the tail.
• Place two fingers lightly across one of these points to feel the pulse.
• Use a watch to time 15 seconds, while counting the beats. Multiply this figure by 4 to give the per minute rate.
• At the same time, feel the force of the pulse, as excessively strong or weak pulses can be indicative of health problems.

• A horse at rest will usually have a pulse between 38 - 40 beats per minute.
• While horses that are exerting themselves can have pulse rates up to 180, anything over 80 beats per minute is considered a sign of trouble in a non-exercising horse.
• How quickly a horse's pulse returns to within normal limits following exercise is one of the best indicators of his fitness level. The standard for competitive riders is within 10 minutes.