{"id":210,"date":"2021-12-20T17:49:25","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T17:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/?p=210"},"modified":"2021-12-20T17:49:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T17:49:36","slug":"do-horses-sweat-rode-hard-and-put-away-wet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/do-horses-sweat-rode-hard-and-put-away-wet\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Horses Sweat? Rode Hard, and Put Away Wet!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do Horses Have Sweat Glands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering, do horses sweat? Yes. But, how do they sweat? Horses have sweat glands just like human beings. Sweating is an essential process in a horse’s body as it cools the body from heat. Horses sweat during exercises, when ill or in pain, and under duress. Some horses also sweat when they panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Horses Perspire? 5 Things You Didn’t Know.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a horse owner, you need to understand some basic facts about horses. Below are some of the facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of sweating is to cool their bodies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only way that a horse will reduce heat is through sweating. Horse sweat comprises three-fourths of its metabolic heat. The sweating depends on the kind of weather. In hot and humid climates, horse skin loses moisture via evaporation into the air, hence impairing the cooling mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horse may lose up to 12% of its body weight and over 10 gallons of sweat in a day. When the temperatures are too high, a horse will sweat to regulate its body. Read our article and find out the 6 Best Weight Gain Supplements<\/a> for Horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of sweating can be harmful<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Excessive sweating in horses can be dangerous. The reason is, it can lead to dehydration. Therefore, observe your horse cautiously to see when they sweat. Take note of whether your horse sweats during exercise or any other time. Also, check whether they sweat on specific areas of their bodies or all over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check your horse’s heart rate before and after exercise and after rest as well. Give this information to your veterinarian, who will then diagnose the cause of excessive sweating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horses need to sweat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a condition called anhidrosis which is whereby a horse doesn’t sweat normally.  If your horse is not treated, it may end up dying or face dire consequences. Seek the help of your vet if you notice abnormal sweating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horses that don’t sweat could have heatstroke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heatstroke is common in horses that are in stables and hot, moist climates. Horses that don’t sweat may not be active and also demonstrate unusual signs. If a horse does not sweat, it won’t be able to cool itself. As a result, the body heats too much and causes rapid breathing, hair loss, and depression. In the end, it may cause heatstroke or, worse, hyperthermia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horses lather when they work hard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Horses sweat at different rates. In some instances, you will notice white substances on a horse’s skin. These substances are called lather that occurs after overworking a horse. However, some horses produce lather with minimal effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When lathering, the proteins in horses’ sweat function as a surfactant (the chemical that reduces friction between surfaces)—the protein lathers allow the sweat to cool the skin’s surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sweat<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Horse Sweat Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are some of the things that happen during sweating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n