FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Biometeorol / Comparison of body temperatures and pulse rate between athle...
International journal of biometeorology2025; 70(1); 1; doi: 10.1007/s00484-025-03106-z

Comparison of body temperatures and pulse rate between athletic and non-athletic horses during the hot-humid condition.

Abstract: Clinical assessment of parameters that give indications of the health status and fitness of horses are very important in equine practice. The study aimed to compare the resting body temperatures at different anatomical sites and resting pulse rates of athletic and non-athletic horses. Eighteen horses were used for the study, comprising ten athletic and eight non-athletic horses. Measurements of environmental parameters, rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST) and pulse rate were recorded between 9 and 11 am twice with one week interval at the Ibadan Polo Club, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State. The environmental parameters were slightly above the established thermoneutral zone for horses. The RT (37.7 ± 0.22 ℃) and BST values obtained in the athletic horses were not significantly (P ˃ 0.05) different from the RT (37.6 ± 0.26 ℃) and BST values recorded in the non-athletic horses. The pulse rate recorded in the athletic horses (35.2 ± 4.79 beats/minute) was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) lower than that obtained in the non-athletic horses (39.6 ± 3.44 beats/minute), with a p-value of 0.004. The mean bias differences of the base of the tail temperatures of athletic and non-athletic horses are 0.55 ± 0.35 °C and 0.31 ± 0.41 °C, respectively and were the closest to RT values in both groups. In conclusion, the resting pulse rate obtained in the athletic horses was significantly lower compared with the non-athletic horses, which is a very important indicator of the health status and physical fitness of the horses. The base of the tail temperature, using infrared thermometer is reliable and closest to the core body temperature.
© 2025. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to International Society of Biometeorology.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-12-24 PubMed ID: 41442060DOI: 10.1007/s00484-025-03106-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Comparative Study

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study compared body temperatures at different sites and resting pulse rates between athletic and non-athletic horses under hot and humid conditions.
  • It found that athletic horses have significantly lower resting pulse rates than non-athletic horses, and that measuring temperature at the base of the tail closely reflects core body temperature.

Study Objective

  • To evaluate whether there are differences in resting body temperatures and pulse rates between athletic and non-athletic horses.
  • To identify the most reliable anatomical site for measuring the body temperature of horses during hot-humid environmental conditions.

Methodology

  • Subjects: 18 horses in total, including 10 athletic horses and 8 non-athletic horses.
  • Location: Study conducted at the Ibadan Polo Club, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
  • Timeframe: Measurements were taken between 9 and 11 am on two occasions spaced one week apart.
  • Parameters recorded:
    • Environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), which slightly exceeded the thermoneutral zone for horses.
    • Rectal temperature (RT) as a measure of core body temperature.
    • Body surface temperature (BST) at different anatomical sites, including the base of the tail.
    • Resting pulse rates.

Key Findings

  • Rectal Temperatures (RT):
    • Athletic horses: 37.7 ± 0.22 °C
    • Non-athletic horses: 37.6 ± 0.26 °C
    • No significant difference between groups (P > 0.05).
  • Body Surface Temperatures (BST):
    • Values from both groups were similar with no significant differences.
    • The base of the tail temperature had the smallest mean bias difference compared to rectal temperature:
      • Athletic horses: 0.55 ± 0.35 °C
      • Non-athletic horses: 0.31 ± 0.41 °C
    • This indicates the base of the tail is a reliable site for non-invasive temperature measurement using an infrared thermometer.
  • Pulse Rate:
    • Athletic horses had significantly lower resting pulse rates (35.2 ± 4.79 beats/min) compared to non-athletic horses (39.6 ± 3.44 beats/min), with a p-value of 0.004.
    • Lower resting pulse rate is an indicator of better cardiovascular fitness and health in athletic horses.

Interpretation and Implications

  • The similarity in body temperatures suggests both groups maintain core temperature effectively under hot-humid conditions, possibly through physiological or behavioral adaptations.
  • The significantly lower pulse rate in athletic horses likely reflects enhanced cardiovascular efficiency and physical fitness due to regular training.
  • Use of the base of the tail for infrared temperature measurement provides a practical, less invasive alternative to rectal temperature measurement, with good accuracy.
  • These findings can help veterinarians and equine practitioners assess fitness and health status easily in varying environmental conditions using simple pulse and temperature measurements.
  • The study supports the practice of using resting pulse rates as a valuable clinical indicator for monitoring equine fitness and wellbeing.

Conclusion

  • Resting pulse rates are significantly lower in athletic horses, reflecting superior physical fitness.
  • The base of the tail temperature measurement using an infrared thermometer closely approximates core body temperature and can be reliably used in clinical settings.
  • Overall, these physiological parameters provide important insights into the health and fitness condition of horses under hot and humid environmental conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ake AS, Akinniyi OO. (2025). Comparison of body temperatures and pulse rate between athletic and non-athletic horses during the hot-humid condition. Int J Biometeorol, 70(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-025-03106-z

Publication

International journal of biometeorology
ISSN: 1432-1254
NlmUniqueID: 0374716
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 1
Pages: 1

Researcher Affiliations

Ake, Ayodele Stephen
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Akinniyi, Olumide Odunayo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. olumide.akinniyi@gmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Body Temperature
  • Heart Rate
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Male
  • Female

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Ethics approval/declarations: The experiment was conducted in accordance with the current guidelines set forth for the ethical use of animals by the Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee at the University of Ibadan with the approval number UI-ACUREC/153-0825/28. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors report no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Abdisa T (2017) Review on practical guidance of veterinary clinical diagnostic approach. Int J Vet Sci Res 3(2):006–025
  2. Ake AS, Ayo JO, Aluwong T, Mohammed A (2023a) Effects of packing (load carrying) on body temperatures and their circadian rhythms in donkeys (Equus asinus) during the hot-dry season. J Therm Biol 113:103497
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103497google scholar: lookup
  3. Ake AS, Ayo JO, Aluwong T, Mohammed A, Minka NS (2023b) Melatonin modulates rectal and body surface temperatures and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys (Equus asinus) subjected to packing during the hot-dry season. Int J Biometeorol 67(2):389–404
    doi: 10.1007/s00484-022-02418-8google scholar: lookup
  4. Akinniyi OO, Mshelia PW, Edeh RE (2024) Can Nigerian horse owners effectively estimate body condition and Cresty neck scores? J Equine Sci 35(1):9–14
    doi: 10.1294/jes.35.9google scholar: lookup
  5. Akinniyi OO, Okuneye DT, Alaba BA, Banwo OG, Koleosho SA, Jeremiah OT, Omobowale TO (2025) Comparative analysis of clinical, haematological and serum biochemical profiles in Polo horses and their sedentary counterparts. Equine Vet Educ 37:498–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.14083
    doi: 10.1111/eve.14083google scholar: lookup
  6. Alansare AB, Bates LC, Stoner L, Kline CE, Nagle E, Jennings JR, Hanson ED, Faghy MA, Gibbs BB (2021) Associations of sedentary time with heart rate and heart rate variability in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18:8508. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168508
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168508google scholar: lookup
  7. Alberghina D, Tombolani C, Quintavalla F (2025) Performance of a non-contact veterinary infrared thermometer and reference intervals of equine temperature at different body sites. Front Vet Sci 12:1583839. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025google scholar: lookup
  8. de Mira MC, Lamy E, Santos R et al (2021) Salivary cortisol and eye temperature changes during endurance competitions. BMC Vet Res 17:329. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02985-9
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02985-9google scholar: lookup
  9. Easterwood L, Cohen ND (2023) Agreement of temperatures measured using a non-contact infrared thermometer with a rectal digital thermometer in horses. J Equine Vet Sci 123:104243
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104243google scholar: lookup
  10. Effect Size Calculator (2025) Retrieved from https://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/effectsize2/default2.aspx
  11. Giannetto C, Acri G, Pennisi M, Piccione G, Arfuso F, Falcone A, Giudice E, Di Pietro S (2022) Use of infrared thermometers for cutaneous temperature recording: agreement with the rectal temperature in Felis catus. Animals 12(10):1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12101275
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101275google scholar: lookup
  12. Hall EJ, Carter AJ, Stevenson AG, Hall C (2019) Establishing a yard-specific normal rectal temperature reference range for horses. J Equine Vet Sci 74:51–55
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.12.023google scholar: lookup
  13. Hura V, Novotný F, Boldižár M, Rédl M, Noskovičová J, Horňák S, Petrovič V, Lazar G, Kováč G (2013) Biochemical responses to a non-standard exercise in horses trained for jumping. Acta Vet Brno 82(2):161–167
    doi: 10.2754/avb201382020161google scholar: lookup
  14. Iglesias Pastrana C, Navas González FJ, Ciani E, Marín Navas C, Delgado Bermejo JV (2023) Thermographic ranges of dromedary camels during physical exercise: applications for physical health/welfare monitoring and phenotypic selection. Front Vet Sci 10:1297412. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1297412
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1297412google scholar: lookup
  15. Kang H, Zsoldos RR, Sole-Guitart A, Narayan E, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Gaughan JB (2023) Heat stress in horses: a literature review. Int J Biometeorol 67(6):957–973. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02467-7
    doi: 10.1007/s00484-023-02467-7google scholar: lookup
  16. Kim SM, Cho GJ (2021) Validation of eye temperature assessed using infrared thermography as an indicator of welfare in horses. Appl Sci 11(16):7186. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167186
    doi: 10.3390/app11167186google scholar: lookup
  17. Kunkle GA, Nicklin CF, Sullivan-Tamboe DL (2004) Comparison of body temperature in cats using a veterinary infrared thermometer and a digital rectal thermometer. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 40(1):42–46. https://doi.org/10.5326/0400042
    doi: 10.5326/0400042google scholar: lookup
  18. Lampang KN, Isawirodom A, Rungsri P (2023) Correlation and agreement between infrared thermography and a thermometer for equine body temperature measurements. Vet World 16(12):2464
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2464-2470google scholar: lookup
  19. Lisboa BRF, Silver WC, Barbosa AVC, Silva LKX, Lourenco-Junior JDB (2023) Evaluation of thermoregulation of horses (Equus caballus) submitted to two methods of post-exercise cooling, in hot and humid climate conditions in the Eastern Amazon. Front Vet Sci 10:1150763. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1150763
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1150763google scholar: lookup
  20. Masko M, Domino M, Jasinski T, Witkowska-Pilaszewicz O (2021) The physical activity-dependent haematological and biochemical changes in school horses in comparison to blood profiles in endurance and race horses. Animals 11:1128. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041128
    doi: 10.3390/ani11041128google scholar: lookup
  21. Mejdell CM, Boe KE, Jorgensen GHM (2020) Caring for the horse in a cold climate- reviewing principles for thermoregulation and horse preferences. Appl Anim Behav Sci 231:105071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105071
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105071google scholar: lookup
  22. Miglio A, Falcinelli E, Mezzasoma AM, Cappelli K, Mecocci S, Gresele P, Antognoni MT (2021) Effect of first long-term training on whole blood count and blood clotting parameters in thoroughbreds. Animals 11(2):447. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020447
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020447google scholar: lookup
  23. Morgan K (1998) Thermoneutral zone and critical temperatures of horses. J Therm Biol 23:59–61
    doi: 10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00047-8google scholar: lookup
  24. Nikitin G, Semenov B, Guseva V, Kuznetsova T, Nazarova A, Ladanova M, Khomenko R (2022) Correlation of the pulse rate in horses at the start with the results of endurance ride. FASEB J 36(S1):L7928. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.L7928
    doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.L7928google scholar: lookup
  25. Packman S (2015) Hyperthermia and pyrexia. BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice, BSAVA Library. pp 202–206
    doi: 10.22233/9781910443200.18google scholar: lookup
  26. Peng D, Chen S, Li G, Chen J, Wang J, Gu X (2019) Infrared thermography measured body surface temperature and its relationship with rectal temperature in dairy cows under different temperature-humidity indexes. Int J Biometeorol 63(3):327–336
    doi: 10.1007/s00484-018-01666-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  27. Plisak U, Szczepaniak J, Żmigrodzka M, Giercuszkiewicz-Hecold B, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O (2023) Changes in novel anti-inflammatory cytokine concentration in the blood of endurance and race horses at different levels of training. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 21:418–424
    doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.016google scholar: lookup
  28. Prochno HC, Barussi FM, Bastos FZ, Weber SH, Bechara GH, Rehan IF, Michelotto PV (2020) Infrared thermography applied to monitoring musculoskeletal adaptation to training in thoroughbred race horses. J Equine Vet Sci 87:102935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102935
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102935google scholar: lookup
  29. Roy RC, Cockram M, Riley CB (2020) Factors affecting the measurement of skin temperature of horses using digital infrared thermography. Acta Sci Vet 2(8):09–16
    doi: 10.31080/ASVS.2020.02.0085google scholar: lookup
  30. Salotto AG, Muscarella LF, Melbin J, Li JK, Noordergraaf A (1986) Pressure pulse transmission into vascular beds. Microvasc Res 32(2):152–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/0026-2862(86)90051-8
    doi: 10.1016/0026-2862(86)90051-8google scholar: lookup
  31. Sampath A, Wakode S, Shrivastava R, Pathak T, Thakare A, Wakode NS (2022) Assessment of alternative body points for temperature screening as precautionary screening during the pandemic using infrared thermometry. Cureus 14(11):e31712. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31712
    doi: 10.7759/cureus.31712google scholar: lookup
  32. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Rodkruta N, Chanprame S, Wiwatwongwana T, Chanda M (2024) Comparison of daily heart rate and heart rate variability in trained and sedentary aged horses. J Equine Vet Sci 137:105094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105094
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105094google scholar: lookup
  33. Silva LKX, Martorano LG, da Silva WC, Reis AB, da Silva FP, Fernandes GB, Neves KAL (2018) Physiological responses associated with thermal variations diagnosed by infrared thermogram in horses subjected to intense physical exertion. Rev Agroecossistemas 10(1):265–279. https://doi.org/10.18542/ragros.v10i1.5063
    doi: 10.18542/ragros.v10i1.5063google scholar: lookup
  34. Szabo C, Vizesi Z, Vincze A (2021) Heart rate and heart rate variability of amateur show jumping horses competing on different levels. Animals 11:693. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030693
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030693google scholar: lookup
  35. Tamzali Y (2013) Equine piroplasmosis: an updated review. Equine Vet Educ 25(11):590–598
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12070google scholar: lookup
  36. Taylor NSA, Tipton MJ, Kenny GP (2014) Considerations for the measurement of core skin and mean temperatures. J Therm Biol 46:72–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.10.006
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.10.006google scholar: lookup
  37. Tharwat M, Al-Hawas A (2023) Infrared thermography in healthy Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius). Int J Vet Sci 12(6):762–767. https://doi.org/10.47278/journal.ijvs/2023.027
    doi: 10.47278/journal.ijvs/2023.027google scholar: lookup
  38. Tran LT, Park S, Kim SK, Lee JS, Kim KW, Kwon O (2022) Hypothalamic control of energy expenditure and thermogenesis. Exp Mol Med 54:358–369. https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-022-00741-z
    doi: 10.1038/s12276-022-00741-zgoogle scholar: lookup
  39. Woodie B (2006) Equine surgery: Vulva, vestibule, vagina and cervix. In: Auer JA, Stick JA (eds) Sanders WB, pp 835–855. https://doi.org/10.1016/BI-41-600123-9/50069-3
  40. Zaffalon JR, Viana AO, de Melo GEL, DeAngelis K (2018) The impact of sedentarism on heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and in response to mental stress in young women. Physiol Rep 6(18):e13873
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.13873google scholar: lookup
  41. Zanghi BM (2016) Eye and ear temperature using infrared thermography are related to rectal temperature in dogs at rest or with exercise. Front Vet Sci 3:111. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2016.00111
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00111google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,001 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.