IDENTIFYING TYPES OF DEHYDRATION IN POLO HORSES AT KELANTAN POLO CLUB

Fuziaton Baharudin, Firdaus Zain

Abstract

Dehydration is a concern in horses for its implication to the performance and well-being, therefore identifying the precise indicator would enable prompt and effective treatment. This study examined the changes in clinical evidence, and blood parameters of seven polo horses to determine the type of dehydration the horses suffer after a polo game. This study evaluated the clinical manifestation, packed cell volume, total protein in the serum, blood urea nitrogen, and osmolality at pre-exercise, immediately after a 4-chukkas and 12 hours after the exercise. Even though the parameters changed over the three samplings interval, there were no statistical changes, and all were within the normal values. The result shows the horses suffer from the isotonic dehydration after the game, in which evidenced by the parallel decrease of blood osmolar, BUN, and TP, and increased in PCV. The skin tenting indicates the percentage of dehydration was at 4% to 8% right after the game, however, the water and electrolytes derangement then went back to the normal level after 12 hours of rest feed and water consumption.