FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(2); 340; doi: 10.3390/ani10020340

Distribution of Superficial Body Temperature in Horses Ridden by Two Riders with Varied Body Weights.

Abstract: It was assumed that a horse with its rider body weight found in the upper limit may negatively impact the horse's welfare. The objective of this paper was to analyze the differences in body temperature and selected heart rate parameters in horses in response to physical exercise accompanied by various rider's body weight loads. The study was carried out on 12 leisure, 10-15-year-old warmblood geldings. The horses were ridden by two equally qualified riders whose body weights were about 20% and 10% of the average body weight (BW) of the animals (about 470 kg). Each rider rode each of the 12 horses for 13 min walking and 20 min of trotting. Images of the horse at rest, after physical exercise directly after unsaddling, and during the recovery phase (10 min after unsaddling) were taken with an infrared thermography camera. For analysis, the temperatures of selected body parts were measured on the surface of the head, neck, front, middle, and back (croup) parts of the trunk, forelimb, and hind limb. Immediately after the infrared thermography images were taken, the rectal temperature of the horse was measured. The heart rate parameters were measured at rest for 10 min directly before, during, and 10 min following the end of a training session. A multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements was performed. Statistical significance was accepted for < 0.05. A rider BW load on a horse of approximately 20% of the horse's BW led to a substantial increase in the superficial temperatures of the neck, front, middle, and back parts of the trunk in relation to these body parts' average temperatures when the load was about 10% BW. The head and limb average temperatures were not significantly affected by the load of the exercised horse. A horse's load above 20% of his body weight, even with little effort, affects changes in surface temperature and the activity of the autonomic nervous system.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-02-21 PubMed ID: 32098105PubMed Central: PMC7071094DOI: 10.3390/ani10020340Google 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

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.

This research explored the impact of rider body weight on the physical wellbeing of horses, particularly in relation to superficial body temperature and heart rate. Findings suggested that a rider’s body weight, equivalent to 20% of the horse’s weight, led to an increase in the superficial temperatures of the neck, front, middle, and back of the horse’s trunk.

Introduction

  • The study hypothesized that a rider’s body weight at the upper limit could negatively affect the horse’s welfare.
  • The primary aim of this research was to examine the variations in body temperature and certain heart rate parameters in horses due to physical exercise involving different rider’s body weight loads.

Methodology

  • The subjects of the study were 12 warmblood geldings, aged between 10 and 15 years, used for leisure riding.
  • The horses were ridden by two equivalently qualified riders whose body weights were approximately 20% and 10% of the average body weight (BW) of the horses (roughly 470 kg).
  • Each rider rode each of the 12 horses for periods involving 13 minutes of walking and 20 minutes of trotting.
  • Infrared thermography was used to capture images of the horses at rest, directly after exercise and unsaddling, and during the recovery phase (10 minutes after unsaddling).
  • The superficial temperatures of selected body parts such as the head, neck, parts of the trunk (front, middle, back), forelimb and hind limb were measured.
  • Immediately after the infrared thermography images were taken, rectal temperature of the horse was measured.
  • The heart rate parameters were measured at rest (10 minutes directly before, during, and 10 minutes following the end of a training session).
  • A multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements was conducted, with statistical significance accepted for values less than 0.05.

Results and Conclusion

  • The results indicated that a rider’s body weight load amounting to roughly 20% of the horse’s weight led to a significant increase in the superficial temperatures of the neck, front, middle, and back regions of the horse’s trunk, compared to the average temperatures when the load was about 10% of the horse’s weight.
  • The average temperatures of the head and limbs of the horses were not significantly impacted by the exercise load.
  • The study concluded that a horse’s load above 20% of its body weight, even at light effort levels, influences changes in surface temperature and activity of the autonomic nervous system. This evidence supports the study’s initial hypothesis, underlining the need to carefully consider the rider’s weight in relation to the horse’s welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Wilk I, Wnuk-Pawlak E, Janczarek I, Kaczmarek B, Dybczyńska M, Przetacznik M. (2020). Distribution of Superficial Body Temperature in Horses Ridden by Two Riders with Varied Body Weights. Animals (Basel), 10(2), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020340

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
PII: 340

Researcher Affiliations

Wilk, Izabela
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Wnuk-Pawlak, Elżbieta
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Janczarek, Iwona
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Kaczmarek, Beata
  • Department and Clinic of Animal Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Dybczyńska, Marta
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Przetacznik, Monika
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Mendes M, Santos D. Childhood obesity: Problem present, future consequences.. Investigação 2018;17.
    doi: 10.26843/investigacaov1722018p%pgoogle scholar: lookup
  2. Pagan JD, Hintz HF. Equine energetics. II. Energy expenditure in horses during submaximal exercise.. J Anim Sci 1986 Sep;63(3):822-30.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1986.633822xpubmed: 3759710google scholar: lookup
  3. Powell D, Bennett-Wimbush K, Peeples A, Duthie M. Evaluation of indicators of weight-carrying ability of light riding horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2008;28:28–33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2007.11.008google scholar: lookup
  4. Ille N, Aurich C, Erber R, Wulf M, Palme R, Aurich J, Von Lewinski M. Physiological stress responses and horse rider interactions in horses ridden by male and female riders.. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2014;10:131–138.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP143001google scholar: lookup
  5. Halliday E, Randle H. The horse and rider bodyweight relationship within the UK horse riding population.. J. Vet. Behav. 2013;8:e8–e9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2012.12.020google scholar: lookup
  6. Dyson S, Ellis A, Mackechnie-Guire R, Douglas J, Bondi A, Harris P. The influence of rider: Horse bodyweight ratio and rider-horse-saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2019:1–15.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13085google scholar: lookup
  7. de Cocq P, Clayton HM, Terada K, Muller M, van Leeuwen JL. Usability of normal force distribution measurements to evaluate asymmetrical loading of the back of the horse and different rider positions on a standing horse.. Vet J 2009 Sep;181(3):266-73.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.03.002pubmed: 18502669google scholar: lookup
  8. Greve L, Dyson S. The horse-saddle-rider interaction.. Vet J 2013 Mar;195(3):275-81.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.020pubmed: 23177524google scholar: lookup
  9. Christensen J, Uldahl M. Did you put on weight? The influence of increased rider weight on horse behavoural and physiological parameters.. In: DuBois C., Merkies K., Widowski T., Wentworth-Stanley C., editors. Proceedings of the 15th International Equitation Science Conference: Bringing Science to the Stable; Guelph, ON, Canada. 19–21 August 2019; Guelph, ON, Canada: University of Guelph; 2019. pp. 35–35.
  10. Snow DH, Harris RC, Gash SP. Metabolic response of equine muscle to intermittent maximal exercise.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1985 May;58(5):1689-97.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1985.58.5.1689pubmed: 3997731google scholar: lookup
  11. Hodgson D, McKeever K, McGowan C. The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine.. 2nd ed. Elsevier Health Sciences; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2013.
  12. Nagashima K. Central mechanisms for thermoregulation in a hot environment.. Ind Health 2006 Jul;44(3):359-67.
    doi: 10.2486/indhealth.44.359pubmed: 16922179google scholar: lookup
  13. Carlomagno G, Cardone G. Infrared thermography for convective heat transfer measurements.. Exp. Fluids. 2010;49:1187–1218.
    doi: 10.1007/s00348-010-0912-2google scholar: lookup
  14. Graf von Schweinitz D. Thermographic diagnostics in equine back pain.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1999 Apr;15(1):161-77, viii.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30170-0pubmed: 10218248google scholar: lookup
  15. Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K, Henklewski R, Zielińska P. The influence of breed, age, gender, training level and ambient temperature on forelimb and back temperature in racehorses.. Anim Sci J 2017 Feb;88(2):347-355.
    doi: 10.1111/asj.12631pubmed: 27345632google scholar: lookup
  16. Fonseca B, Alves A, Nicoletti J, Thomassian A, Hussni C, Mikail S. Thermography and ultrasonography in back pain diagnosis of equine athletes.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2006;26:507–516.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2006.09.007google scholar: lookup
  17. Michelotto PV, Kozemjakin DA, de Oliveira ÊA. Thermography and saddle fitting.. Vet Rec 2016 Feb 13;178(7):173-4.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.i820pubmed: 26868244google scholar: lookup
  18. Tunley BV, Henson FM. Reliability and repeatability of thermographic examination and the normal thermographic image of the thoracolumbar region in the horse.. Equine Vet J 2004 May;36(4):306-12.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044890652pubmed: 15163036google scholar: lookup
  19. Yarnell K, Fleming J, Stratton TD, Brassington R. Monitoring changes in skin temperature associated with exercise in horses on a water treadmill by use of infrared thermography.. J Therm Biol 2014 Oct;45:110-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.08.003pubmed: 25436959google scholar: lookup
  20. von Lewinski M, Biau S, Erber R, Ille N, Aurich J, Faure JM, Möstl E, Aurich C. Cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate variability in the horse and its rider: different responses to training and performance.. Vet J 2013 Aug;197(2):229-32.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.12.025pubmed: 23380228google scholar: lookup
  21. von Borell E, Langbein J, Després G, Hansen S, Leterrier C, Marchant J, Marchant-Forde R, Minero M, Mohr E, Prunier A, Valance D, Veissier I. Heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic regulation of cardiac activity for assessing stress and welfare in farm animals -- a review.. Physiol Behav 2007 Oct 22;92(3):293-316.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.01.007pubmed: 17320122google scholar: lookup
  22. Janczarek I, Wilk I, Kędzierski W, Stachurska A, Kowalik S. Off track training ameliorates emotional excitability in Purebred Arabian racehorses.. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 2016;97:42–50.
    doi: 10.1139/CJAS-2016-0062google scholar: lookup
  23. Visser EK, van Reenen CG, van der Werf JT, Schilder MB, Knaap JH, Barneveld A, Blokhuis HJ. Heart rate and heart rate variability during a novel object test and a handling test in young horses.. Physiol Behav 2002 Jun 1;76(2):289-96.
    doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(02)00698-4pubmed: 12044602google scholar: lookup
  24. Garlinghouse SE, Burrill MJ. Relationship of body condition score to completion rate during 160 km endurance races.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1999 Jul;(30):591-5.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05290.xpubmed: 10659324google scholar: lookup
  25. Soroko M, Morel M. Equine Thermography in Practice.. CABI; Wallingford, UK: 2016.
  26. Turner T, Waldsmith J, Wilson J. How to assess saddle fit in horses.. Am. Assoc. Equine Pract. 2004;50:196–201.
  27. SAS Institute Inc. CNU SAS User’s Guide Statistics: Version 9.1.3.. SAS Institute Inc.; Cary, NC, USA: 2003.
  28. Jodkowska E, Dudek K, Przewozny M. The maximum temperatures (Tmax) distribution on the body surface of sport horses.. J. Life Sci. 2011;5:291–297.
  29. Waldsmith J, Oltmann J. Thermography: Subclinical inflammation, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and athletic evaluation.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1994;14:8–10.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(07)80302-9google scholar: lookup
  30. Webb L. Build a Better Athlete! 16 Gymnastics Exercises for Your Horse.. Trafalgar Square Books; North Pomfret, VT, USA: 2007.
  31. Morgan K, Funkquist P, Nyman G. The effect of coat clipping on thermoregulation during intense exercise in trotters.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2002 Sep;(34):564-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05484.xpubmed: 12405752google scholar: lookup
  32. Borodulin-Nadzieja L, Janocha A, Pietraszkiewicz T, Salomon E, Stańda M. [The effects of work in an air-conditioned cabin and stay in a resting chamber on blood pressure and heart rate of operators employed in deep copper mines].. Med Pr 2001;52(1):7-14.
    pubmed: 11424749
  33. Marlin D. Thermoregulation in the Horse at Rest and during Exercise.. In: Saastamoinen M., Martin-Rosset W., editors. Nutrition of the Exercising Horse. EAAP Publication; Rome, Italy: 2008. pp. 71–82.
  34. Podolak M, Kędzierski W, Janczarek I. Intense training of Arabian horses and its effect on the level of selected biochemical indices in their blood and heart rate.. Med. Weter. 2004;60:403–406.

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
  1. Bukhari SSUH, Parkes RSV. Assessing the impact of draught load pulling on welfare in equids. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1214015.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1214015pubmed: 37662986google scholar: lookup
  2. Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040666pubmed: 36830453google scholar: lookup
  3. Stachurska A, Kędzierski W, Kaczmarek B, Wiśniewska A, Żylińska B, Janczarek I. Variation of Physiological and Behavioural Parameters during the Oestrous Cycle in Mares. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 6;13(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13020211pubmed: 36670751google scholar: lookup
  4. Martins JN, Silva SR. Use of Infrared Thermography to Assess Body Temperature as a Physiological Stress Indicator in Horses during Ridden and Lunging Sessions. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 23;12(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12233255pubmed: 36496777google scholar: lookup
  5. Ojima Y, Torii S, Maeda Y, Matsuura A. Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Hot and Humid Environments. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 20;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192505pubmed: 36230247google scholar: lookup
  6. Domino M, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Sikorska U, Skibniewski M, Maśko M. Application of the Two-Dimensional Entropy Measures in the Infrared Thermography-Based Detection of Rider: Horse Bodyweight Ratio in Horseback Riding. Sensors (Basel) 2022 Aug 13;22(16).
    doi: 10.3390/s22166052pubmed: 36015813google scholar: lookup
  7. Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Delesalle CJG. Is Continuous Monitoring of Skin Surface Temperature a Reliable Proxy to Assess the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses During Field Exercise?. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:894146.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.894146pubmed: 35711810google scholar: lookup
  8. Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Fluctuations of Physiological Variables during Conditioning of Lipizzan Fillies before Starting under Saddle. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 25;12(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12070836pubmed: 35405826google scholar: lookup
  9. Janczarek I, Wiśniewska A, Tkaczyk E, Wnuk-Pawlak E, Kaczmarek B, Liss-Szczepanek M, Kędzierski W. Effect of Different Water Cooling Treatments on Changes in Rectal and Surface Body Temperature in Leisure Horses after Medium-Intensity Effort. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 21;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040525pubmed: 35203233google scholar: lookup
  10. Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Trojakowska A, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Selection of Image Texture Analysis and Color Model in the Advanced Image Processing of Thermal Images of Horses following Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040444pubmed: 35203152google scholar: lookup
  11. Domino M, Borowska M, Trojakowska A, Kozłowska N, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. The Effect of Rider:Horse Bodyweight Ratio on the Superficial Body Temperature of Horse's Thoracolumbar Region Evaluated by Advanced Thermal Image Processing. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 13;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12020195pubmed: 35049815google scholar: lookup
  12. Bukhari SSUH, McElligott AG, Parkes RSV. Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 7;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11051333pubmed: 34067208google scholar: lookup
  13. Maśko M, Domino M, Jasiński T, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. The Physical Activity-Dependent Hematological and Biochemical Changes in School Horses in Comparison to Blood Profiles in Endurance and Race Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 14;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11041128pubmed: 33920044google scholar: lookup
  14. Masko M, Borowska M, Domino M, Jasinski T, Zdrojkowski L, Gajewski Z. A novel approach to thermographic images analysis of equine thoracolumbar region: the effect of effort and rider's body weight on structural image complexity. BMC Vet Res 2021 Mar 2;17(1):99.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02803-2pubmed: 33653346google scholar: lookup
  15. Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Long-Term Changes of Physiological Reactions in Young Lipizzan Stallions During Exercise Testing. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 23;15(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15172479pubmed: 40941274google scholar: lookup
  16. Tilley HB, Murphy D, Wierucka K, Wong TC, Surreault-Châble A, Mumby HS. Physical activity and temperature changes of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) participating in eco-tourism activities and elephant polo. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0300373.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300373pubmed: 38696403google scholar: lookup
  17. Tkaczenko H, Lukash O, Kurhaluk N. Analysis of the season-dependent component in the evaluation of morphological and biochemical blood parameters in Shetland ponies of both sexes during exercise. J Vet Res 2024 Mar;68(1):155-166.
    doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2024-0017pubmed: 38525221google scholar: lookup
  18. Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Delesalle CJG. Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 30;14(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14010136pubmed: 38200867google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.