What term describes the potential for a horse to not exhibit normal sweating behavior?

The term that describes the potential for a horse to not exhibit normal sweating behavior is anhidrosis. Anhidrosis is a condition where the horse has a reduced ability to sweat, which can lead to overheating and other health issues, especially in warm and humid conditions. Horses rely on sweating as a primary means of thermoregulation, so when they cannot sweat properly, it can severely impact their performance and welfare.

Understanding anhidrosis is crucial for horse owners and care providers as it requires specific management strategies to keep affected horses cool and comfortable. It is distinguished from other terms such as heat stress, which refers to the physiological effects of high temperatures on the horse, rather than the inability to sweat specifically. Hypotonicity is typically related to electrolyte balance, and chronic skin disorder encompasses a wide range of dermatological issues that do not specifically address sweating behavior.