Effect of Different Blanket Weights on Surface Temperature of Horses in Cold Climates.

The research paper evaluates how the weight of blankets affects the surface temperature of horses in cold climates. It concludes that weighted blankets do have an effect on the horses’ surface temperature during cold weather, with heavier blankets resulting in higher temperatures.

Study Design and Process

• The study involved four mature stock-type horses which were part of a 4 x 4 Latin square design, a method used to eliminate the influence of two sources of variability.
• The horses were subjected to three different blanket weights – lightweight (0g fiberfill), medium weight (200g fiberfill), and heavyweight (400g fiberfill), and one control group without a blanket.
• The researchers used a thermographic imaging technique to observe the horse’s surface temperature from a standardized lumbar location before the blanket was used and after the horses experienced cold exposure.
• During the cold exposure phase, the horses were left outside for an hour with free access to grass hay and water, in an environment that had an average temperature of -23°C and a wind chill of -32°C.

Data Analysis Techniques

• After the cold exposure, the horses were brought indoors to a warmer surrounding (15°C), and their lumbar images were recorded immediately.
• To ensure accurate results, a 30-minute equilibration period was given between each sampling period.
• The collected data was then computed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) – a statistical method – with the general linear model procedure of SAS (Statistical Analysis System).

Significant Findings

• According to the study’s findings, there was a significant overall treatment effect for lumbar temperatures after the horses spent an hour outside in the cold.
• The measured surface temperatures were 22.3°C, 26.8°C, 30.3°C, and 31.5°C for the control group, lightweight, medium weight, and heavyweight blanket groups respectively.
• It was observed that lumbar temperature was considerably warmer for HW and MW compared to the control group, and tended to be warmer in LW compared to the control group.
• The change in lumbar temperature decreased significantly in the control group compared with all other treatments.

In conclusion, this study shows that wearing a blanket can increase a horse’s lumbar surface temperature during cold weather. It also found that the degree of warmth is influenced by the weight of the blanket.