Very sweaty horse!

roshah

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Dear all... I was wondering if I could have your advice on whether or not my horse has a problem.

My horse sweats buckets! After a 30 minute hack the other day, he must have felt like Ballabriggs did when he came over the finish line at the national. He was utterly drenched in sweat... it was dripping off his belly, his numnah was soaking -- i could have practically wrung it out. Plus it was kind of frothy underneath.

Granted, it was a very warm day and I trotted him up hill on the way home because he had become a lot less tense ... I think he enjoyed himself because he kept his head up and ears pricked forward most of the time -- could he have been sweating from anxiety or the pull up the hill?

Did I overwork him maybe?

I never actually got to speak to the previous owner before I got the horse as my dad bought him to me as a surprize... should I look for his number and ring to see if this is a typical reaction for the horse?

I'm just worried he might have some sort of metabolism disorder or something.

Since I don't know much about his background, I'm simply assuming that he was left off for the winter and I will have to bring him back into it again. I doubt he is very used to strenuous work, as I think he had a former life as a trekking horse... but he knows how to pop a small jump.

I just want to make sure he's super fit before I start riding on the beach (it's a one and a half mile stretch -- most of which I ordinarily gallop... of course I don't have to gallop... but I love to which is why I want him to be fit to do it too) Would you suggest I stick to road work and a little up hill trotting to build muscle strength for a few more weeks? At the moment there's no way I could take him further than 30 mins from home.

I should mention he sometimes sweats just standing in the field having done no work. Not a major lot, but his coat is definitely damp, particularly the white aprts (he's piebald) :eek:
 
He's a fat hairy cob! They all sweat buckets at the slightest thing! Some even more than others as you have found! The easiest thing is to fully clip him, although with his pink skin, he will have to be rugged all the time outside with a lightweight turnout or fly sheet. And leave his legs on if they are white. Also, make sure that you thouroughly wash off all the sweat after every ride otherwise they get very sore scabby skin. I very much doubt you are over working him! Have fun!
 
lol! he is indeed a fat hairy cob! ok, i'll try not to worry about this... he gets a shower from the hose when he comes in!

Can you clip even if they have their summer coat?
 
Hey. I had the same thing. I've clipped out and hogged my hairy boy and he's so much happier. Pics in the picture thread. Go have a look. Do you have pics of yours?
 
we have same problem with our lad we show him a lot and were worried about clipping and showing in summer but w ehave clipped him and will do so as long as he needs it for his comfort he is much better and hasnt so far affected his results x
 
I have a hairy cob, he gets clipped all year round. I clip his body and leave his hairy legs 'cos I love his feathers! Might not be "correct", but he's much happier that way and I don't have to wait forever for him to dry off!
 
I share a black shire x, we've just had a bib clip done so neck and girth area. He was sweating underneath just standing in field!

Also when hot we hose him down daily which he loves and wash him after riding xx
 
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