FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Ho...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(19); 2505; doi: 10.3390/ani12192505

Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Hot and Humid Environments.

Abstract: Heat stress is serious problem for livestock. While riding horses and racehorses spend the majority of their days in stalls, there are few reports on effective methods for reducing stall heat stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ice horse blanket in hot and humid environments. Twenty healthy horses were measured first without the blanket (C) and then measured with the blanket (IB), or vice versa, in a cross-over trial. The blanket was designed to keep cooling the front back, the rear back, and the loin. Skin surface temperature, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and plasma cortisol level in both C and IB were measured at 10:00, 12:30, and 15:00. The skin surface temperature of the front back was decreased with cooling time in IB, whereas it was not changed in C. Similarly, heart rate, respiratory rate, and plasma cortisol level also decreased only in IB. The blanket used in the present study had the advantage of allowing for gentle cooling of the horse's body without the use of water or fans. Applying this methodology should enable effective reduction of heat stress not only in horses but also in other mammals kept in barns.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-09-20 PubMed ID: 36230247PubMed Central: PMC9559210DOI: 10.3390/ani12192505Google 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 study investigated the effectiveness of a cooling blanket, specifically designed for horses, in reducing heat stress in hot and humid conditions. The researchers conducted a cross-over trial with 20 horses to explore the impact of this cooling device on several measures, including their skin surface temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and cortisol levels.

Study design and procedure

  • The research was conducted on 20 healthy horses. This sample size allowed for robust statistical analysis and the detection of any significant variations in the measured parameters.
  • A cross-over design was used, where measurements were first taken from horses without the cooling blanket (referred to as group C), and subsequently with the horses wearing the ice blanket (group IB). Using this design minimised variability and ensured that any observed differences could be attributed to the intervention, rather than individual horse characteristics.
  • The cooling blanket was designed to cool specific parts of the horse’s body: the front back, the rear back, and the loin. The focus on these areas ensured targeted cooling whilst being comfortable for the horse.

Measurements and results

  • Data was collected at three different time points – 10:00, 12:30, and 15:00. This allowed for the investigation of any temporal effects and ensured that recordings represented a comprehensive range of conditions across the day.
  • Several parameters were measured to accurately assess the horses’ level of heat stress. These included skin surface temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and plasma cortisol level. Cortisol is a hormone released during stress and is therefore a useful indicator of physiological stress levels.
  • The results indicated that the cooling blanket was effective in reducing heat stress in the horses. The researchers observed a decrease in the skin surface temperature of the front back, heart rate, respiratory rate, and cortisol levels in the horses wearing the cooling blanket, while no changes were noted in those without the cooling blanket.

Implications and potential applications

  • This research provides promising evidence supporting the use of a cooling blanket in managing heat stress in horses, particularly in hot and humid environments. The study highlights the potential of this tool in promoting the welfare and performance of horses.
  • The researchers suggest the cooling method could be applied more broadly to other mammals kept in barns, demonstrating its potential to have a significant impact on livestock management practices and animal welfare more generally.

Cite This Article

APA
Ojima Y, Torii S, Maeda Y, Matsuura A. (2022). Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Hot and Humid Environments. Animals (Basel), 12(19), 2505. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192505

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 19
PII: 2505

Researcher Affiliations

Ojima, Yuki
  • Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 23-35-1, Higashi, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
Torii, Suzuka
  • Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 23-35-1, Higashi, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
Maeda, Yosuke
  • Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 23-35-1, Higashi, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.
Matsuura, Akihiro
  • Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 23-35-1, Higashi, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 42 references
  1. Khasnis AA, Nettleman MD. Global warming and infectious disease.. Arch Med Res 2005 Nov-Dec;36(6):689-96.
    doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2005.03.041pubmed: 16216650google scholar: lookup
  2. Hu X, Cai M, Yang S, Sejas SA. Air temperature feedback and its contribution to global warming.. Sci. China Earth Sci. 2018;61:1491–1509.
    doi: 10.1007/s11430-017-9226-6google scholar: lookup
  3. Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Heat Stroke Protection Website. [(accessed on 14 March 2022)]; Available online: https://www.wbgt.env.go.jp/heatillness_pr.php.
  4. Park DS, Gu BH, Park YJ, Joo SS, Lee SS, Kim SH, Kim ET, Kim DH, Lee SS, Lee SJ, Kim BW, Kim M. Dynamic changes in blood immune cell composition and function in Holstein and Jersey steers in response to heat stress.. Cell Stress Chaperones 2021 Jul;26(4):705-720.
    doi: 10.1007/s12192-021-01216-2pmc: PMC8275816pubmed: 34080136google scholar: lookup
  5. Chaiyabutr N, Chanpongsang S, Suadsong S. Effects of evaporative cooling on the regulation of body water and milk production in crossbred Holstein cattle in a tropical environment.. Int J Biometeorol 2008 Sep;52(7):575-85.
    doi: 10.1007/s00484-008-0151-xpubmed: 18427839google scholar: lookup
  6. Holcomb KE, Tucker CB, Stull CL. Shade use by small groups of domestic horses in a hot, sunny environment.. J Anim Sci 2015 Nov;93(11):5455-64.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9520pubmed: 26641064google scholar: lookup
  7. Janczarek I, Stachurska A, Wilk I, Wiśniewska A, Różańska-Boczula M, Kaczmarek B, Łuszczyński J, Kędzierski W. Horse Preferences for Insolation, Shade or Mist Curtain in the Paddock under Heat Conditions: Cardiac and Behavioural Response Analysis.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11040933pmc: PMC8064440pubmed: 33805989google scholar: lookup
  8. Takahashi Y, Ohmura H, Mukai K, Shiose T, Takahashi T. A Comparison of Five Cooling Methods in Hot and Humid Environments in Thoroughbred Horses.. J Equine Vet Sci 2020 Aug;91:103130.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103130pubmed: 32684268google scholar: lookup
  9. Holcomb KE, Tucker CB, Stull CL. Physiological, behavioral, and serological responses of horses to shaded or unshaded pens in a hot, sunny environment.. J Anim Sci 2013 Dec;91(12):5926-36.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6497pubmed: 24126269google scholar: lookup
  10. Magrin L, Brscic M, Lora I, Rumor C, Tondello L, Cozzi G, Gottardo F. Effect of a ceiling fan ventilation system on finishing young bulls' health, behaviour and growth performance.. Animal 2017 Jun;11(6):1084-1092.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731116002482pubmed: 27881192google scholar: lookup
  11. Chanchai W, Chanpongsang S, Chaiyabutr N. Effects of misty-fan cooling and supplemental rbST on rumen function and milk production of crossbred Holstein cattle during early, mid and late lactation in a tropical environment.. Anim Sci J 2010 Apr;81(2):230-9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2009.00726.xpubmed: 20438505google scholar: lookup
  12. Tresoldi G, Schütz KE, Tucker CB. Cooling cows with sprinklers: Effects of soaker flow rate and timing on behavioral and physiological responses to heat load and production.. J Dairy Sci 2019 Jan;102(1):528-538.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-14962pubmed: 30343920google scholar: lookup
  13. Chen JM, Schütz KE, Tucker CB. Sprinkler flow rate affects dairy cattle avoidance of spray to the head, but not overall, in an aversion race.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2016;179:23–31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.03.007google scholar: lookup
  14. He Y, Chen W, Wang Z, Zhanga H. Review of fan-use rates in field studies and their effects on thermal comfort, energy conservation, and human productivity.. Energy Build. 2019;194:140–162.
    doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.04.015google scholar: lookup
  15. Tahara Y, Morito N, Nishimiya H, Yamagishi H, Yamaguchi M. Evaluation of environmental and physiological factors of a whole ceiling-type air conditioner using a salivary biomarker.. Build Environ. 2009;44:1156–1161.
    doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.08.012google scholar: lookup
  16. 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/ani12040525pmc: PMC8868132pubmed: 35203233google scholar: lookup
  17. Kuwano A, Yoshihara T, Takatori K, Kosuge J. Onychomycosis in white line disease in horses: pathology, mycology and clinical features.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1998 Sep;(26):27-35.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05119.xpubmed: 9932091google scholar: lookup
  18. Petrov KK, Dicks LM. Fusobacterium necrophorum, and not Dichelobacter nodosus, is associated with equine hoof thrush.. Vet Microbiol 2013 Jan 25;161(3-4):350-2.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.07.037pubmed: 22909990google scholar: lookup
  19. McGill S, Coleman B, Hayes M. Air Speed to Increase Rate of Cool Out for Horses After Intense Exercise.. J Equine Vet Sci 2021 Jul;102:103641.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103641pubmed: 34119195google scholar: lookup
  20. Zare M, Dehghan H, Yazdanirad S, Khoshakhlagh AH. Comparison of the Impact of an Optimized Ice Cooling Vest and a Paraffin Cooling Vest on Physiological and Perceptual Strain.. Saf Health Work 2019 Jun;10(2):219-223.
    doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2019.01.004pmc: PMC6598827pubmed: 31297285google scholar: lookup
  21. Luomala MJ, Oksa J, Salmi JA, Linnamo V, Holmér I, Smolander J, Dugué B. Adding a cooling vest during cycling improves performance in warm and humid conditions.. J. Therm. Biol. 2012;37:47–55.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2011.10.009google scholar: lookup
  22. Hasegawa H, Takatori T, Komura T, Yamasaki M. Wearing a cooling jacket during exercise reduces thermal strain and improves endurance exercise performance in a warm environment.. J Strength Cond Res 2005 Feb;19(1):122-8.
    doi: 10.1519/14503.1pubmed: 15707380google scholar: lookup
  23. Collier RJ, Gebremedhin KG. Thermal biology of domestic animals.. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2015;3:513-32.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110659pubmed: 25387108google scholar: lookup
  24. Bilgili M, Simsek E, Sahin B, Yasar A, Ozbek A. Estimation of human heat loss in five Mediterranean regions.. Physiol Behav 2015 Oct 1;149:61-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.027pubmed: 26025784google scholar: lookup
  25. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Animal Welfare at WOAH. [(accessed on 14 March 2022)]. Available online: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare.
  26. Wilk I, Wnuk-Pawlak E, Janczarek I, Kaczmarek B, Dybczyńska M, Przetacznik M. Distribution of Superficial Body Temperature in Horses Ridden by Two Riders with Varied Body Weights.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 21;10(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10020340pmc: PMC7071094pubmed: 32098105google scholar: lookup
  27. Westermann S, Stanek C, Schramel JP, Ion A, Buchner HH. The effect of airflow on thermographically determined temperature of the distal forelimb of the horse.. Equine Vet J 2013 Sep;45(5):637-41.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12019pubmed: 23294196google scholar: lookup
  28. Schütz KE, Rogers AR, Poulouin YA, Cox NR, Tucker CB. The amount of shade influences the behavior and physiology of dairy cattle.. J Dairy Sci 2010 Jan;93(1):125-33.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.2009-2416pubmed: 20059911google scholar: lookup
  29. Morgan K. Thermoneutral zone and critical temperatures.. J. Therm. Biol. 1998;23:59–61.
    doi: 10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00047-8google scholar: lookup
  30. Lallo CHO, Cohen J, Rankine D, Taylor M, Cambell J, Stephenson T. Characterizing heat stress on livestock using the temperature humidity index (THI)—Prospects for a warmer Caribbean.. Reg. Environ. Change. 2018;18:2329–2340.
    doi: 10.1007/s10113-018-1359-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  31. St-Pierre NR, Cobanov B, Schnitkey G. Economic losses from heat stress by US livestock industries.. J. Dairy Sci. 2003;86:52–77.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)74040-5pubmed: 0google scholar: lookup
  32. Japan Weather Association (JWA), Index Information Table. [(accessed on 14 March 2022)]. Available online: https://tenki.jp/indexes.
  33. Rammerstorfer C, Potter GD, Brumbaugh GW, Gibbs PG, Varner DD, Rammerstorfer EH. Physiologic responses of acclimatized or non-acclimatized mature reining horses to heat stress: I. heart rate, respiration rate, lactate, rectal temperature, cortisol and packed cell volume.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2001;21:431–438.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(01)70017-2google scholar: lookup
  34. Mueller I, Snidman N, DiCorcia JA, Tronick E. Acute Maternal Stress Disrupts Infant Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System and Behavior: A CASP Study.. Front Psychiatry 2021;12:714664.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714664pmc: PMC8635696pubmed: 34867513google scholar: lookup
  35. Won E, Kim YK. Stress, the Autonomic Nervous System, and the Immune-kynurenine Pathway in the Etiology of Depression.. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016;14(7):665-73.
    doi: 10.2174/1570159X14666151208113006pmc: PMC5050399pubmed: 27640517google scholar: lookup
  36. Appelhans BM, Pagoto SL, Peters EN, Spring BJ. HPA axis response to stress predicts short-term snack intake in obese women.. Appetite 2010 Feb;54(1):217-20.
    doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2009.11.005pmc: PMC2815108pubmed: 19925839google scholar: lookup
  37. Stull CL, Morrow J, Aldridge BA, Stott JL, McGlone JJ. Immunophysiological responses of horses to a 12-hour rest during 24 hours of road transport.. Vet Rec 2008 May 10;162(19):609-14.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.162.19.609pubmed: 18480019google scholar: lookup
  38. Melchert M, Nagel C, Aurich C, Aurich J. Transport-related stress in five-day-old foals and their dams.. J. Vet. Behav. 2020;39:86–89.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.02.005google scholar: lookup
  39. Suagee-Bedore JK, Linden DR, Bennett-Wimbush K. Effect of Pen Size on Stress Responses of Stall-Housed Horses Receiving One Hour of Daily Turnout.. J Equine Vet Sci 2021 Mar;98:103366.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103366pubmed: 33663718google scholar: lookup
  40. Bohák Z, Szabó F, Beckers JF, Melo de Sousa N, Kutasi O, Nagy K, Szenci O. Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2013 Jul;45(1):38-42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001pubmed: 23688596google scholar: lookup
  41. Wang F, Song W. An investigation of thermophysiological responses of human while using four personal cooling strategies during heatwaves.. J Therm Biol 2017 Dec;70(Pt A):37-44.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.05.007pubmed: 29074024google scholar: lookup
  42. Wang F, Ke Y, Udayraj, Yang B, Xu P, Noor N. Effect of cooling strategies on overall performance of a hybrid personal cooling system incorporated with phase change materials (PCMs) and electric fans.. J Therm Biol 2020 Aug;92:102655.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102655pubmed: 32888559google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.