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Journal of thermal biology2019; 87; 102474; doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102474

Effects of hair coat characteristics on radiant surface temperature in horses.

Abstract: Horse owners may lack knowledge about natural thermoregulation mechanisms in horses. Horses are managed intensively; usually stabled at night and turned out during the day. Some are clipped and many wear a blanket, practices which reduce the horse's ability to regulate heat dissipation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between hair coat characteristics, body condition and infrared surface temperatures from different body parts of horses. Under standard conditions, the body surface temperature of 21 adult horses were investigated using infrared thermography. From several readings on the same body part, a mean temperature was calculated for each body part per horse. Detailed information on horse breed, age, management and body condition was collected. Hair coat samples were also taken for analyses. A mixed statistical model was applied. Warmblood horse types (WB) had lower hair coat sample weights and shorter hair length than coldblood horse types (CB). The highest radiant surface temperatures were found at the chest 22.5 ± 0.9 °C and shoulders 20.4 ± 1.1 °C and WB horses had significantly higher surface temperatures than CB horses on the rump (P < 0.05). Horses with a higher hair coat sample weight had a lower surface temperature (P < 0.001) and hind hooves with iron shoes had a significant lower surface temperature than unshod hind hooves (P = 0.03). In conclusion, individual assessment of radiant surface temperature using infrared thermography might be a promising tool to gather data on heat loss from the horses' body. Such data may be important for management advice, as the results showed individual differences in hair coat characteristics and body condition in horses of similar breeds.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-29 PubMed ID: 31999605DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102474Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research investigates how coat characteristics and body condition of horses affect radiant surface temperature and suggests that infrared thermography could be a useful tool to assess heat loss in horses, which is critical for their management.

Objective of the Research

This study aims to understand how a horse’s hair coat characteristics and body condition can influence its body surface temperatures. Additionally, the researchers seek to evaluate the effectiveness of using infrared thermography as a tool in capturing this data.

Methodology

  • The researchers observed 21 adult horses under standard conditions. Detailed data on breed, age, management, and body condition of each horse was collected. They also took samples of each horse’s hair coat for analysis.
  • The researchers used infrared thermography to measure the horses’ body surface temperatures and produced a mean temperature for each body part of every horse from multiple readings.
  • A mixed statistical model was applied to analyze the data.

Key Findings

  • The study found that Warmblood horse types (WB) have lower hair coat sample weights and shorter hair length than coldblood horse types (CB).
  • The highest body surface temperatures were found at the chest and shoulders. WB horses had significantly higher surface temperatures than CB horses on the rump.
  • Horses with heavier hair coat sample weight had lower surface temperatures. Specifically, hind hooves with iron shoes were significantly cooler than unshod hind hooves.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concludes that infrared thermography could be a useful tool in measuring heat loss in horses. The variations in surface temperature due to diversity in hair coat characteristics and body conditions in horses of similar breeds were significant.
  • This study expands our understanding of heat regulation in horses, which is crucial for their management and care. Considering the different thermoregulation capacities due to varying hair coat characteristics and body condition can assist horse owners and caretakers in providing appropriate and individualized care for their horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Meisfjord Jørgensen GH, Mejdell CM, Bøe KE. (2019). Effects of hair coat characteristics on radiant surface temperature in horses. J Therm Biol, 87, 102474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102474

Publication

Journal of thermal biology
ISSN: 0306-4565
NlmUniqueID: 7600115
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 87
Pages: 102474
PII: S0306-4565(19)30257-8

Researcher Affiliations

Meisfjord Jørgensen, Grete Helen
  • NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, P.O. Box 34, N-8860, Tjøtta, Norway. Electronic address: grete.jorgensen@nibio.no.
Mejdell, Cecilie Marie
  • Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Section for Animal Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: cecilie.mejdell@vetinst.no.
Bøe, Knut Egil
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway. Electronic address: knut.boe@nmbu.no.

MeSH Terms

  • Adipose Tissue / physiology
  • Animal Fur / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Fur / physiology
  • Animals
  • Body Temperature Regulation
  • Hoof and Claw / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Skin Temperature

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of competing interest No competing interests have been declared.

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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