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) / Effects of Pre-Cooling on Thermophysiological Responses in E...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(9); 1664; doi: 10.3390/ani10091664

Effects of Pre-Cooling on Thermophysiological Responses in Elite Eventing Horses.

Abstract: In this study, we examined the effects of pre-cooling on thermophysiological responses in horses exercising in moderate environmental conditions (average wet bulb globe temperature: 18.5 ± 3.8 °C). Ten international eventing horses performed moderate intensity canter training on two separate days, and were either pre-cooled with cold-water rinsing (5-9 °C for 8 ± 3 min; cooling) or were not pre-cooled (control). We determined velocity (V), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (T), shoulder and rump skin temperature (T and T), plasma lactate concentration (LA), gross sweat loss (GSL), and local sweat rate (LSR), as well as sweat sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations. The effect of pre-cooling on T was dependent on time; after 20 min of exercise the effect was the largest (estimate: 0.990, 95% likelihood confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.987, 0.993) compared to the control condition, resulting in a lower median T of 0.3 °C. Skin temperature was also affected by pre-cooling compared to the control condition (T: -3.30 °C, 95% CI: -3.739, -2.867; T: -2.31 °C, 95% CI: -2.661, -1.967). V, HR, LA, GSL, LSR and sweat composition were not affected by pre-cooling. In conclusion, pre-cooling by cold-water rinsing could increase the margin for heat storage, allowing a longer exercise time before a critical T is reached and, therefore, could potentially improve equine welfare during competition.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-09-16 PubMed ID: 32947831PubMed Central: PMC7552184DOI: 10.3390/ani10091664Google 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.

The research paper discusses the beneficial effects of pre-cooling on the thermophysiological responses of elite eventing horses. The study revealed that pre-cooling the horses using cold water rinsing before exercise was able to regulate their temperatures, potentially increasing an equine’s welfare during a competition by allowing for longer exercise time before reaching a critical temperature.

Methods and Conditions of the Study

  • The researchers used ten international eventing horses for their study.
  • These horses were subjected to moderate intensity canter training under two different conditions: one where they were pre-cooled with cold water rinsing at a temperature ranging from 5-9 °C for 8 ± 3 minutes, and the other where they were not pre-cooled.
  • This study was carried out in moderate environmental conditions with an average wet bulb globe temperature of 18.5 ± 3.8 °C.

Parameters Measured

  • The variables that were measured included the horse’s velocity (V), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (T), skin temperature at the shoulder and rump, plasma lactate concentration (LA), gross sweat loss (GSL), local sweat rate (LSR), and sweat composition including sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations.

Findings of the Study

  • Pre-cooling had a time-dependent effect on the horse’s rectal temperature. After 20 minutes of exercise, the effect was the largest compared to the control condition.
  • The median rectal temperature was found to be 0.3 °C lower when horses were pre-cooled.
  • Pre-cooling also affected the skin temperature of the horse’s shoulder and rump, which was lower compared to those in the control condition.
  • However, the velocity, heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, gross sweat loss, local sweat rate and sweat composition were not affected by pre-cooling.

Conclusion

  • The researchers conclude that pre-cooling by cold-water rinsing could increase the margin for heat storage, allowing a longer exercise time for horses before a critical rectal temperature is reached.
  • This method, therefore, could potentially improve equine welfare during a competition by minimizing over-heating and consequently, enhancing performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Klous L, Siegers E, van den Broek J, Folkerts M, Gerrett N, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MS, Munsters C. (2020). Effects of Pre-Cooling on Thermophysiological Responses in Elite Eventing Horses. Animals (Basel), 10(9), 1664. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091664

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
PII: 1664

Researcher Affiliations

Klous, Lisa
  • Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Siegers, Esther
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van den Broek, Jan
  • Department of Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Folkerts, Mireille
  • Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gerrett, Nicola
  • Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, Marianne Sloet
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Munsters, Carolien
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Moxie Sport Analysis & Coaching, Looieind 1, 5469 Erp, The Netherlands.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 40 references
  1. Hodgson DR, McCutcheon LJ, Byrd SK, Brown WS, Bayly WM, Brengelmann GL, Gollnick PD. Dissipation of metabolic heat in the horse during exercise.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1993 Mar;74(3):1161-70.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1993.74.3.1161pubmed: 8482654google scholar: lookup
  2. Marlin DJ, Harris PA, Schroter RC, Harris RC, Roberts CA, Scott CM, Orme CE, Dunnett M, Dyson SJ, Barrelet F. Physiological, metabolic and biochemical responses of horses competing in the speed and endurance phase of a CCI*****3-day-event.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1995 Nov;(20):37-46.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05006.xpubmed: 8933083google scholar: lookup
  3. McCutcheon LJ, Geor RJ. Thermoregulation and exercise-associated heat stress. 2008; pp. 382–396.
  4. Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ, Ecker GL, Lindinger MI. Heat storage in horses during submaximal exercise before and after humid heat acclimation.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2000 Dec;89(6):2283-93.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.2000.89.6.2283pubmed: 11090580google scholar: lookup
  5. Hodgson DR, Davis RE, McConaghy FF. Thermoregulation in the horse in response to exercise.. Br Vet J 1994 May-Jun;150(3):219-35.
    doi: 10.1016/S0007-1935(05)80003-Xpubmed: 8044664google scholar: lookup
  6. Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Roberts CA, Casas I, Holah G, Schroter RC. Post exercise changes in compartmental body temperature accompanying intermittent cold water cooling in the hyperthermic horse.. Equine Vet J 1998 Jan;30(1):28-34.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04085.xpubmed: 9458396google scholar: lookup
  7. Hargreaves M. Physiological limits to exercise performance in the heat.. J Sci Med Sport 2008 Jan;11(1):66-71.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.07.002pubmed: 17720623google 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. Williamson L, White S, Maykuth P, Andrews F, Sommerdahl C, Green E. Comparison between two post exercise cooling methods. Equine Vet. J. 1995;27:337–340.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04948.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  10. Kohn CW, Hinchcliff KW, McKeever KH. Evaluation of washing with cold water to facilitate heat dissipation in horses exercised in hot, humid conditions.. Am J Vet Res 1999 Mar;60(3):299-305.
    pubmed: 10188810
  11. Marino FE. Methods, advantages, and limitations of body cooling for exercise performance.. Br J Sports Med 2002 Apr;36(2):89-94.
    doi: 10.1136/bjsm.36.2.89pmc: PMC1724476pubmed: 11916888google scholar: lookup
  12. Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Lee EC, Yeargin SW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Cold water immersion: the gold standard for exertional heatstroke treatment.. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2007 Jul;35(3):141-9.
    doi: 10.1097/jes.0b013e3180a02becpubmed: 17620933google scholar: lookup
  13. Bongers CC, Hopman MT, Eijsvogels TM. Cooling interventions for athletes: An overview of effectiveness, physiological mechanisms, and practical considerations.. Temperature (Austin) 2017;4(1):60-78.
    doi: 10.1080/23328940.2016.1277003pmc: PMC5356217pubmed: 28349095google scholar: lookup
  14. Serrano MG, Evans DL, Hodgson JL. Heart rate and blood lactate responses during exercise in preparation for eventing competition.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2002 Sep;(34):135-9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05406.xpubmed: 12405674google scholar: lookup
  15. Amory H, Art T, Linden A, Desmecht D, Buchet M, Lekeux P. Physiological response to the cross-country phase in eventing horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1993;13:646–650.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(07)80396-0google scholar: lookup
  16. Marlin DJ, Misheff M, Whitehead P. Optimising Performance in a Challening Climate. Proceedings of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Sports Forum 2018; Lausanne, Switzerland. 26–27 March 2018; pp. 11–24.
  17. McCutcheon LJ, Geor RJ, Hare MJ, Ecker GL, Lindinger MI. Sweating rate and sweat composition during exercise and recovery in ambient heat and humidity.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1995 Nov;(20):153-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05022.xpubmed: 8933099google scholar: lookup
  18. Kingston JK, Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ. Rate and composition of sweat fluid losses are unaltered by hypohydration during prolonged exercise in horses.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1997 Oct;83(4):1133-43.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1997.83.4.1133pubmed: 9338421google scholar: lookup
  19. Nadel ER, Mitchell JW, Saltin B, Stolwijk JA. Peripheral modifications to the central drive for sweating.. J Appl Physiol 1971 Dec;31(6):828-33.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1971.31.6.828pubmed: 5123659google scholar: lookup
  20. Wegmann M, Faude O, Poppendieck W, Hecksteden A, Fröhlich M, Meyer T. Pre-cooling and sports performance: a meta-analytical review.. Sports Med 2012 Jul 1;42(7):545-64.
    doi: 10.2165/11630550-000000000-00000pubmed: 22642829google scholar: lookup
  21. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies.. Ann Intern Med 2007 Oct 16;147(8):573-7.
    doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-8-200710160-00010pubmed: 17938396google scholar: lookup
  22. Munsters CC, van Iwaarden A, van Weeren R, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. Exercise testing in Warmblood sport horses under field conditions.. Vet J 2014 Oct;202(1):11-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.07.019pubmed: 25172838google scholar: lookup
  23. Morgan EKM. Climatic energy demands of horses. Equine Vet. J. 1995;18:4.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04960.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  24. McCutcheon LJ, Geor R, Hare MJ, Kingston JK, Staempfli H. Sweat composition: Comparison of collection methods and effects of exercise intensity. Equine Vet. J. 1995;27:279–284.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04937.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Siegers EW, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Van den Broek J, Munsters CBM. Evaluation of three portable lactate-measurement devices in exercising horses. Pferdeheilkunde Equine Med. 2018;34:141–144.
    doi: 10.21836/PEM20180206google scholar: lookup
  26. Feng C, Wang H, Lu N, Chen T, He H, Lu Y, Tu XM. Log-transformation and its implications for data analysis.. Shanghai Arch Psychiatry 2014 Apr;26(2):105-9.
    doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-0829.2014.02.009pmc: PMC4120293pubmed: 25092958google scholar: lookup
  27. Lukacs PM, Burnham KP, Anderson DR. Model selection bias and Freedman’s paradox. Ann. Inst. Stat. Math. 2010;62:117.
    doi: 10.1007/s10463-009-0234-4google scholar: lookup
  28. Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Schroter RC, Mills PC, Harris RC, Harris PA, Orme CE, Roberts CA, Marr CM, Dyson SJ, Barrelet F. Physiological responses in nonheat acclimated horses performing treadmill exercise in cool (20 degrees C/40% RH), hot dry (30 degrees C/40% RH) and hot humid (30 degrees C/80% RH) conditions.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1996 Jul;(22):70-84.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb05034.xpubmed: 8894553google scholar: lookup
  29. McConaghy FF, Hales JR, Rose RJ, Hodgson DR. Selective brain cooling in the horse during exercise and environmental heat stress.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1995 Dec;79(6):1849-54.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1995.79.6.1849pubmed: 8847243google scholar: lookup
  30. Takahashi Y, Takahashi T. Risk factors for exertional heat illness in Thoroughbred racehorses in flat races in Japan (2005-2016).. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):364-368.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13179pubmed: 31505059google scholar: lookup
  31. Hargreaves BJ, Kronfeld DS, Naylor JR. Ambient temperature and relative humidity influenced packed cell volume, total plasma protein and other variables in horses during an incremental submaximal field exercise test.. Equine Vet J 1999 Jul;31(4):314-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03823.xpubmed: 10454090google scholar: lookup
  32. Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ, Ecker GL, Lindinger MI. Thermal and cardiorespiratory responses of horses to submaximal exercise under hot and humid conditions.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1995 Nov;(20):125-32.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05018.xpubmed: 8933095google scholar: lookup
  33. Green AR, Gates RS, Lawrence LM. Measurement of horse core body temperature. J. Therm. Biol. 2005;30:370–377.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2005.03.003google scholar: lookup
  34. Piccione G, Caola G, Refinetti R. The circadian rhythm of body temperature of the horse. Biol. Rhythm. Res. 2002;33:113–119.
    doi: 10.1076/brhm.33.1.113.1322google scholar: lookup
  35. Kohn CW, Hinchcliff KW. Physiological responses to the endurance test of a 3-day-event during hot and cool weather.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1995 Nov;(20):31-6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05005.xpubmed: 8933082google scholar: lookup
  36. Minett GM, Duffield R, Marino FE, Portus M. Volume-dependent response of precooling for intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat.. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011 Sep;43(9):1760-9.
    doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e318211be3epubmed: 21311362google scholar: lookup
  37. McGowan CJ, Pyne DB, Thompson KG, Rattray B. Warm-Up Strategies for Sport and Exercise: Mechanisms and Applications.. Sports Med 2015 Nov;45(11):1523-46.
    doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0376-xpubmed: 26400696google scholar: lookup
  38. Brinnel H, Cabanac M, Hales J. Critical upper levels of body temperature, tissue thermosensitivity and selective brain cooling in hyperthermia. Proceedings of the CSIRO Division of Animal Production; Sydney, Australia. 27 April–1 May 1987; pp. 209–240.
  39. Nadel ER, Bullard RW, Stolwijk JA. Importance of skin temperature in the regulation of sweating.. J Appl Physiol 1971 Jul;31(1):80-7.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1971.31.1.80pubmed: 5556967google scholar: lookup
  40. Corbett J, Rendell RA, Massey HC, Costello JT, Tipton MJ. Inter-individual variation in the adaptive response to heat acclimation.. J Therm Biol 2018 May;74:29-36.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.03.002pubmed: 29801640google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Lisboa BRF, da Silva JAR, da Silva WC, Barbosa AVC, Silva LKX, Lourenço-Júnior JB. Evaluation of thermoregulation of horses (Equus caballus) submitted to two methods of post-exercise cooling, in hot and humid climate conditions, in the Eastern Amazon. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1150763.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1150763pubmed: 37138916google scholar: lookup
  2. Trigg LE, Lyons S, Mullan S. Risk factors for, and prediction of, exertional heat illness in Thoroughbred racehorses at British racecourses. Sci Rep 2023 Mar 14;13(1):3063.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-27892-xpubmed: 36918525google scholar: lookup
  3. 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
  4. Kang H, Zsoldos RR, Skinner JE, Gaughan JB, Mellor VA, Sole-Guitart A. The Use of Percutaneous Thermal Sensing Microchips to Measure Body Temperature in Horses during and after Exercise Using Three Different Cool-Down Methods. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 14;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101267pubmed: 35625113google scholar: lookup
  5. 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
  6. Ohmura H, Ebisuda Y, Takahashi Y, Mukai K. Effects of pre-exercise cooling in hot environments on performance and physiological responses in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2025;36(1):19-23.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.36.19pubmed: 40115731google scholar: lookup
  7. Filho HCM, Trindade KLG, Silva CJFL, Cruz RKS, Vilela CF, Coelho CS, Filho JDR, Manso HECCC. The Welfare of Horses Competing in Three-Barrel Race Events Is Shown to Be Not Inhibited by Short Intervals between Starts. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 9;14(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14040583pubmed: 38396551google scholar: lookup
  8. 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
  9. Best R, Williams JM, Pearce J. The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders. Nutrients 2023 Nov 30;15(23).
    doi: 10.3390/nu15234977pubmed: 38068833google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.