WATER HOMEOSTASIS IN DESERT-DWELLING HORSES

This study set out to investigate tolerance of the body water pool to short-term water deprivation in horses and, in particular, to assess whether feral horses from the Namib Desert showed tolerance to dehydration superior to Transvaal. Hydration status was compared in six feral horses from the Namib Desert and in six Boerperd farm horses under conditions of normal hydration and after 72 h of dehydration. Under normal hydration, the two groups did not differ significantly in water intake, plasma sodium and potassium concentrations, plasma osmolality, hematocrit, total plasma protein, body water content, or water turnover (ml.kg-0.82.day-1). The Namib horses were significantly smaller (P < 0.0001) and turned over 5 liters less water per day than the Boerperd during normal hydration and 4 litres less during dehydration. Increases in plasma sodium concentration after 72 h of dehydration were greater (P < 0.05) in the Namib horses. It was concluded that horses can easily tolerate water deprivation that results in a 12% reduction in body mass. The feral horses of the Namib desert were not significantly different per unit mass from domestic horses with regard to indexes of total body water content under conditions of normal hydration and after 72 h of dehydration. Their smaller size and, hence, lower water turnover might be mechanisms they use for survival in the Namib Desert.