Anhidrosis

[stb]

It’s getting warm down here, so I need to revisit my protocol for my 17 year old gelding with anhidrosis. I just want to make sure I’m doing all I can.

Last summer my guy was sweating fine until about the end of June, when the amount of sweating decreased pretty dramatically. He never stops sweating entirely, but he doesn’t sweat much - usually under his mane and he does sweat under the saddle consistently, but not much more than that. Last year I put him on Let 'Em Sweat and he had tons of sweat at first, this then moderated a bit but he continued to sweat decently until it cooled off, although certainly not as much sweat as he had originally. I also feed 1 tablespoon of salt twice daily, and on days when I ride I add electrolytes as well.

My questions:
Horse is currently on beet pulp. Should I stop? I see conflicting theories on beep and sweat.
Should I also add beer? Does it have to be dark or can it just be regular beer?
Should I try 1AC or some other supplement?
I’m assuming I should start a supplement now to try to get ahead of this - correct?

Anything else that I am missing? I rode my guy on Sunday and he was lightly sweaty under his saddle pad but no more than that. It was in the 70’s and warm and we only walked, but we did so for a couple of hours. My companion’s horse was sweaty all over chest and neck, which makes me suspicious.

Also, as it gets warmer I will switch to night turnout and horse will have access to his stall and fan during the day. Thanks in advance for any and all advice regarding this problem.

[kelsey97]

I have a non-sweater too, very frustrating and heartbreaking to deal with! My horse stopped sweating last June, I’m definitely new to this and its been a science experiment to figure out how to manage her. Here is what worked for my mare: No grain, she eats t & a pellets, soaked beet pulp and grass hay. 1 AC and Pro Sweat got her sweating last summer. I’m working with a vet who has expertise with Anhydrosis, she feels it is an issue with the lymph system that causes issues with thermoregulation. Mare had several acupuncture treatments and a detox. It hasn’t gotten that hot yet so I’m playing the waiting game to see if the acupuncture and detox worked. I do have 1AC and prosweat on hand just in case. My vet said not to challenge the horse to sweat, riding and turnout in the cooler less humid hours of the day and then in front of a fan or air conditioner. Hosing her down before riding really helped her stay cooler during a ride last summer, sometimes I would stop mid ride and hose off her neck and chest.

The best advice I can give you is to make gradual changes taking note of what does and doesn’t work, I kept a calendar on her stall last summer…Ive read everything I can on the subject and the bottom line is what works for one horse doesn’t necessarily work for another. I think your protocol sounds really good, you know your horse best and what his normal is. Good luck to you and your boy this summer

[PossumHorse]

I’ve got one that sweats less and less as the temp gets hotter. Stops totally at 100F. I tried beer with no success. What has worked for me has been daily dose of electrolytes and 1AC. But I’m feeding something like a 4x dose of 1AC.

My instructor commented that her experience is that the 1AC type supplements work as long as you get the dose high enough. I looked at one of the other products, Let em Sweat maybe, and the ingredients were the same as 1AC, but the recommended dosing range was higher. I stuck with 1AC since the net price was lower.

Now, the caveat is that we haven’t had another blast of 100 degree weather since I figured this all out. But he has been sweating very well when working over the last 2 or 3 summers.

This is board has talk of good success with using patches. I have not tried those.

[khall]

Start one AC asap, before it gets hot. That often is enough to keep them sweating. I have never had any luck with beer, but acupuncture works wonders. I have cared for several over the years who had sweating issues, the worst was a cushings gelding that acupuncture kept him going the last couple of years. That and clipping him all summer long.

[Magicboy]

Any info on where the acupuncture points are on a horse! I’ve never seen it done

[kelsey97]

Magicboy, my horse is getting acupuncture from a DVM who specializes in Anhidrosis. She puts needles in her fetlock and pastern area, her chest , and her neck closer to the ear.

[stb]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I may have to give the accupuncture a try for sure.