So far we have focused on keeping your horse cool when riding and competing to prevent heat fatigue, heat stroke and disorders caused from working horses in high HI environments. However, the successful horse owner also implements rules around the stable that ensures heat stress is eliminated in the horses living area.
For example, one simple rule is to choose turnout times. If a horse has a stall, but is turned out for part of the day, provide turnout during the cooler hours. Overnight is ideal, but if that’s not possible, provide turnout as early as possible during the day.
Horses who live outdoors in Summer need shade, it is absolutely essential. If a horse lives outdoors, or if it must be outside during the day, provide protection from the sun. An open shelter shed is best as the horse can choose to be in or out. Trees are a source of shade, as well, but as the sun moves during the day, so will the shade. Make sure that, regardless of the time of day, available trees are shading the paddock rather than the roadway in between paddocks.
目前為止,我們主要關注了如何在騎乘和比賽中讓你的馬保持冷卻,避免「熱疲勞」、中暑,以及馬在酷熱指數高的環境下訓練導致的病症。然而,成功的馬主在馬房管理方面也會實施一些特定的規則,確保「熱應激」被排除在馬的生活區外。
例如,一個很簡單的原則:謹慎選擇遛馬時間 。如果一匹馬生活在馬廄中,每天會去遛馬圈活動一段時間,那麼,將這段時間安排在一天中較為涼爽的時段。比如讓馬在放牧場過夜就是個理想的選擇,如果這是不可實現的,就儘可能早的遛馬。夏季生活在放牧場的馬,需要有遮蔭處,這一點是至關重要的。如果馬長期生活在室外,或者每天必須在白天被放到室外,要給它們提供遮擋陽光的保護。開放式的棚子是最好的選擇,馬可以自主的選擇是否進入棚子;樹木也是很好的遮蔭選擇,由於樹蔭會隨著太陽一起移動,要確保在一天中的任何時段樹蔭都能為馬遮擋太陽。
Stable fans are a great way to help keep the air moving in the barn, which will provide natural cooling in a well-designed horse barn. Very long barns that house many horses all in a row can be a problem. If they do not have adequate openings the air-flow over the horses in the middle section of the barn may not enough to keep them cool. Horses will benefit most if the fan is pulling the hot air out of the stall, not pushing air into the stall. And always ensure that horses cannot reach cords and plugs because if they can they will play with them and may electrocute themselves.
保持馬廄中空氣流通,風扇是一個非常好的方法。在設計精良的馬廄中,風扇能提供自然冷卻系統。很多馬廄是排成一排的長型馬房,可能存在問題。如果馬房的中間部分沒有足夠的開口,空氣流通不足,就無法讓這個區域的馬保持清涼。相比將空氣吹進馬房中,如果能把熱空氣抽走,對馬最有益。要確保馬接觸不到電線、插頭,如果能接觸到,馬或許會因為玩電線插頭而觸電。
Misting Water Systems: A very efficient cooling system is to mist water throughout the barn and use fans to move the mist around. As the moisture is absorbed from the horse’s skin, it will take away some of the heat, as well. Frequent misting’s are effective during the warmer part of the day but remember to turn them off at night.
水噴霧系統:這是一個非常有效的降溫系統,在馬房中噴水霧,並用風扇吹動水霧,皮膚吸收水汽後能散去一些熱度。在一天中較熱的時段頻繁的噴水霧會很有效,但一定要記得在晚上關閉該系統。
Water Hygiene: Horses will readily drink cool fresh water. If you do not clean the water containers every day, the water will also become stagnant and unhealthy. Providing a salt block to lick in every stall is essential. If your horse never licks the salt block try a different type or brand as he may not like the taste or texture. If he still does not consume salt then it will be necessary to add electrolytes to his daily feed. If a horse is sweating a great deal, water laced with electrolytes can help keep its body in balance. Whenever electrolytes are offered, be sure to offer fresh water, as well. Warning (!!!) Too many electrolytes can be harmful.
飲用水衛生:馬會欣然飲用新鮮的涼水。如不每天清洗盛水器,水會變得汙濁、不健康。在每個馬房提供一個供馬舔食的鹽磚也至關重要。如果你的馬不願意舔食該鹽磚,就換一個類型的鹽磚試試,因為它可能是不喜歡那種鹽磚的味道或口感。換了鹽磚後,如果它還是不願意食用,就非常有必要在它的每日飼料中加入電解質。如果馬流汗非常多,摻有電解質的水能幫助它的身體保持均衡。無論何時給 馬吃電解質,同時一定要確保給馬提供新鮮的水。警告:電解質過量可能是有害的!!!
Decrease the work intensity. Don’t think that because a horse has been working intensely at 1pm every day that it can take the heat when the temperature soars. If working a horse in the heat, lighten the work or spread it out over a couple of short sessions. This is especially important when the humidity is high, remember the HI and adjust your goals to keep your horse safe.
降低運動強度:當氣溫攀升時,別因為馬過去每天在下午1點進行高強度訓練,就認為它能承受這樣的高溫。如果要在高溫天氣下訓練馬,就降低訓練強度,或者將訓練劃分為幾個短訓練。尤其是高溫潮溼時,一定要注意酷熱指數,並適當調整訓練目標,以保證馬的安全。
Maintain a schedule. Within the parameters of keeping a horse cool, try to stay as close as possible to a normal schedule. Too much change at one time can be an invitation to colic.
維持正常的日程安排:在讓馬保持涼爽的同時,儘可能維持馬的日常作息。一次性做出太多改變,可能引發腹痛。
All horses, especially white horses, can suffer from sunburn. Even those with white socks and blazes, pink noses or even hairless patches from scarring can be susceptible. Using a very light cover over his body can help screen him from the sun. In addition, applying sunblock to small, particularly vulnerable areas can be effective. Staying out of the sun’s harmful rays will, of course, be best.
防曬:所有的馬,特別是白色的馬,都可能被曬傷。白蹄、臉上的白色、鼻子是粉色,又或是因為傷口恢復後毛髮稀疏處,都屬於易曬傷區。輕薄的馬衣能保護它們不受烈日灼傷,或是在敏感處塗防曬霜 ,當然最好是避免烈日直射。
Horses have a natural cycle of hair growth which gives them a thicker Winter coat and finer Summer coat. If importing a horse from outside China consider if his coat is in Winter or Summer condition and, if in Winter you will need to clip him. Clipping horses with longer coats is important. While some coat can provide protection from the sun and insulation, a long, thick coat tends to hold heat and makes it difficult for a horse to cool down. A simple clip removing all the coat is the most effective however, recently people have become more artistic and have created some fascinating patterns.
剃毛:馬的毛髮有自然生長周期,冬季毛髮厚重,夏季較薄。如果在夏季從國外進口馬匹,要考慮它的毛髮是冬季毛髮還是夏季毛髮。如果是冬季毛髮,就需要剃毛。給毛髮較長的馬剃毛很重要,儘管毛髮能防曬,但又長又厚的毛髮往往也非常「保暖」,它在夏季很難降溫,將毛剃掉是最有效的方法,現在人們特別有藝術創造力,創造了很多非常有趣的圖案。