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Journal of animal science2016; 94(4); 1653-1661; doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-0160

Effect of time and weather on preference, frequency, and duration of shade use by horses.

Abstract: The Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) recommends providing access to shade for horses in hot, sunny weather at equine facilities. Previously, we found that healthy, mature domestic horses use shade with behavioral and physiological benefits during those weather conditions. The objective of this study was to characterize preference, frequency, and duration of shade use by healthy, mature horses in a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility during hot, sunny weather. The study took place at the BLM's Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center in Reno, NV, from Aug. 10 to Oct. 1, 2014. Freestanding shade structures were constructed in each of 2 drylot pens with shade cloth covering the top that blocked 98% of UV radiation. A group of 4 mares was placed in each of the 2 pens. After a 2-d acclimation period, data were recorded for 5 d, the horses were moved to the opposite pen, and data collected for an additional 5 d. This schedule was repeated for a total of 4 consecutive trials and 32 horses. Footage from time-lapse cameras was viewed at 10 s intervals between 0930 and 1700 h to record each horse's position relative to shade. Dosimeters secured to horses' halters recorded UV exposure. Automated weather stations recorded daytime ambient temperature (mean 25.9°C [SD 5.8]), relative humidity (mean 25.4% [SD 17.1]), black globe temperature (mean 29.3°C [SD 6.5] in shade and 35.8°C [SD 8.0] in unshaded area), and solar radiation (mean 595 W/m [SD 235]). Horses spent 10.9% more time in shade than by chance ( < 0.0001) within the drylots across all 40 study days. Mean daily time spent in shade was 107.9 min/horse (SD 66.9), comprising 17.1 bouts (SD 12.1) with an average bout length of 6.3 min (SD 3.4). The mean daily UV Index experienced by horses in these partially shaded drylots was 1.52 (SD 0.58) compared with 3.4 (SD 1.5) for a control instrument in the sun. Horses used shade more on the sunniest days and greater than just by chance at all hours of the day, with greatest use in the morning before peak ambient temperature. This study supports the FASS recommendation for provision of shade and may be useful in management and facility design for both domestic and captive wild horses.
Publication Date: 2016-05-03 PubMed ID: 27136024DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0160Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research investigated how healthy, mature horses used shade in a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility during hot, sunny weather. The results showed that horses used shade more often than expected by chance, particularly in the morning before the day’s peak temperature, and on the sunniest days, thus supporting the recommendation of the Federation of Animal Science Societies to provide shade for horses in hot weather.

Study Design and Setting

  • The study was conducted at the Bureau of Land Management’s Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center in Reno, Nevada, over a period of approximately one and a half month from August 10 to October 1, 2014.
  • The research utilized freestanding shade structures covered with shade cloth that blocked 98% of UV radiation which were constructed in two drylot pens.
  • Two groups of four mares each were placed in the two pens. After a two-day acclimation period, their movements were recorded for five days before being moved to the opposite pen and observed for an additional five days. This process was repeated four times, resulting in a total of 32 horses being observed.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Data on the horses’ positions relative to the shade structures were collected through time-lapse cameras. Observations were made every 10 seconds from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • UV exposure was measured using dosimeters attached to the horses’ halters.
  • Weather conditions, including ambient temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature (a measure of the effect of solar radiation on an object), and solar radiation, were recorded using automated weather stations.

Key Findings

  • Horses spent 10.9% more time in the shade than would be expected by chance, which gives a clear indication of their preference for shade during hot and sunny conditions.
  • The average daily time spent in the shade per horse was about 108 minutes, broken up into an average of 17.1 intervals (or bouts), with each lasting an average of 6.3 minutes.
  • Horses experienced a lower mean daily UV Index in the partially shaded drylots (1.52) compared to a control instrument in the sun (3.4).
  • Horses made greater use of the shade on the sunniest days and at all hours of the day, with the most use occurring in the morning before the peak ambient temperature of the day.

Implications

  • The findings suggest that shade use by horses is not random, but a conscious choice potentially associated with thermoregulatory behaviour.
  • The study supports the recommendation made by the Federation of Animal Science Societies for the provision of shade for horses in hot and sunny weather conditions.
  • The results of this study might be useful in the design and management of facilities for both domestic and captive wild horses, to improve their well-being in hot and sunny climates.

Cite This Article

APA
Holcomb KE, Stull CL. (2016). Effect of time and weather on preference, frequency, and duration of shade use by horses. J Anim Sci, 94(4), 1653-1661. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2015-0160

Publication

ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 94
Issue: 4
Pages: 1653-1661

Researcher Affiliations

Holcomb, K E
    Stull, C L

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Behavior, Animal / physiology
      • Female
      • Horses / physiology
      • Sunlight
      • Temperature
      • Weather

      Citations

      This article has been cited 4 times.
      1. Kang H, Zsoldos RR, Sole-Guitart A, Narayan E, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Gaughan JB. Heat stress in horses: a literature review. Int J Biometeorol 2023 Jun;67(6):957-973.
        doi: 10.1007/s00484-023-02467-7pubmed: 37060454google scholar: lookup
      2. 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/ani11040933pubmed: 33805989google scholar: lookup
      3. Zappaterra M, Menchetti L, Nanni Costa L, Padalino B. Do Camels (Camelus dromedarius) Need Shaded Areas? A Case Study of the Camel Market in Doha. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 11;11(2).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11020480pubmed: 33670415google scholar: lookup
      4. Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU, Minka NS. Daily rhythms of rectal and body surface temperatures in donkeys during the cold-dry (harmattan) and hot-dry seasons in a tropical savannah. Int J Biometeorol 2018 Dec;62(12):2231-2243.
        doi: 10.1007/s00484-018-1626-zpubmed: 30374600google scholar: lookup