forgive me if this has already been answered in the many replies above - have you ever revved up any electrolytes before or during a heat spell?
@JB do. Hes gets apple a day year round (less in the colder months). I’ve typically given him what’s recommended for a horse in moderate work in the hotter months…so 1 to 1.5 ounces, but could up it to the highest dose.
@JB He really is a salt licker too if that is helpful data. Before we leave the stall to do anything, we have to stop for water and salt. He had more of both today with it being warmer.
IMG_2321
1 Like
Just spoke with my vet about misoprostol yesterday (she was there to treat cellulitis, but we are trying to get the FWS under control so chatted about that as well). She has seen many horses improve with misoprostol, but it’s a fairly pricey thing for a horse to have to basically live on, and she recommended trying diet change first and go to meds if all else fails. If you know heat is your main trigger it may be possible to just give it during the summer months, though of course you’d have to speak with your vet. I’ve only had my guy for 8 months, so we are still in the trial and error phase to figure out what sets him off.
1 Like
If my guy kicks back up strong again once the temps stay hot, I will see what the vet thinks. I have 3 years of data showing it only kicks up during the hotter months so it definitely seems heat stress related. Short of moving further north (which I wouldn’t mind) I don’t know how much I can do at this point to help. #fjordproblems 
I’m curious if you’ve tried any of the anhidrosis supplements since your boy’s symptoms seem triggered by heat? With you already giving electrolytes, I’d be very tempted to try adding One AC as an experiment. I’m not a vet, but I don’t believe there is anything in One AC that could hurt him.
2 Likes
I haven’t. When the vet was out for spring shots, he did ask if he sweats normally. He seems pretty normal to me in that regards, but if its something easy to try I am definitely open to looking into it!
1 Like
It’s time-consuming and probably difficult to manage at a boarding facility, but a friend has been able to greatly reduce the episodes of FFWS her gelding has by running all his hay through a chipper/shredder to make chopped hay.
It’s not the hay for us. It is ONLY when it is hot out - June thought October-ish.
We are an outlier; it seems most people have issues in the winter when the horses are on less pasture. Our first barn cut their own hay…no issues. The barn we were at for most of 2022 got small loads of hay in from different suppliers, no issues, no issues with different round bales in the pastures. Jan barn only had second cutting hay, no issues, and our current barn he has been back on a different supplier of 1st cut, no issues. Always when the weather warms up. Ive tried most of the usual suspects recommended with no real luck, and dietary wise, he eats the same thing year round with no issues in the colder months.
1 Like
that’s really interesting, and goes along with my thought of some extra e-lytes ahead of an upcoming warm spell
2 Likes
That’s my thought process too. That pony’s FWS seems to be a symptom of heat intolerance. Thus the anhidrosis supps might be worth a try. Extra electrolytes might not be amiss either though I’ve not studied the dosing of the product she’s using enough to have an opinion on if I would give more than she already is.
@FjordBCRF all anhidrosis horses sweat normally. Until they don’t. One AC isn’t very expensive as far as supps go so not a high cost experiment.
1 Like
Awesome, I will order some to have on hand if (aka when) he starts up again!
That’s good to know about the anhidrosis not being noticeable until it is too. I will have to read up.
Thanks again for the thought!!
1 Like
Anhidrosis isn’t terribly well understood sadly but it is thought to be generally connected to other metabolic disorders. For example, my anhidrosis horse (that sweats normally with supps) is considered high risk for EMS/PPID/IR according to my vet just because of the known anhidrosis.
I start my horse on One AC before the weather has a chance to heat up and keep him on it until after the weather cools down in the fall. It’s generally thought that most anhidrosis supplements need a fair amount of time to build up in the system before they reach maximum efficiency.
Platinum Refresh is another anhidrosis supp that has worked for my horse but it’s pricier and has electrolytes built in. It’s more cost effective IME to supp the electrolytes and One AC separately
1 Like
Super helpful, thank you. Given that Charlie had a mild bout of grass induced laminitis in spring of 2021 WITH a grazing muzzle on, this could definitely be in the right vein.
Good to know about starting with the supplements ahead of time as well, I’ll do that and keep my fingers crossed.
1 Like
I remember you posting about his touch w laminitis! I think it’s a very interesting experiment. Maybe feed out a tub or 2 as directed as an experiment? I dunno if you’re expecting anymore warm weather in the next month in your area? Bet it’s way cheaper than a miso trial!
1 Like
Not much in the 10 day at least, mostly high 50’s low 60’s for a bit. Once we hit May anything is fair game so that should be a good time to give it a try.
1 Like
Maybe ask HorseTech if they will sell it to you as a basic ingredient. They might have an idea on dosing also.
That sounds smart! It would be cool if it does help his FWS!
1 Like
One AC was delivered today and is in his AM/PM feed for tomorrow. It’s smells almost like fish food! I think he’s got enough other goodies mixed in with his beet pulp he shouldn’t care, but I’ll see how he does tomorrow.
2 Likes
My horse hasn’t ever balked at the taste, but he’s a champion eater.
1 Like
