Length of winter coat in horses depending on husbandry conditions.

This research investigates the effect of stable conditions on the length and shedding of winter coats in horses and ponies. The study found that lower temperatures in the stable result in longer winter coats, particularly in ponies, and also speeds up the shedding process by approximately 25 days.

Study Design and Methodology

• The researchers used a total of 24 horses for their study. There were 12 Małpolski geldings and 12 Felin ponies, with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years.
• These horses were kept in two different stables, with six horses and six ponies in each stable. Factors such as the type of performance, husbandry conditions, and feeding of these animals were maintained comparably to avoid biased results.
• From December 1, the team sampled the horses’ winter coat hair from different body areas, namely the scapula, sternum, back, and abdomen. This sampling process took place seven times during the study period.
• From each sample, the lengths of 20 randomly selected hair fibers were measured to get an accurate view of coat length.
• The study also involved daily measurements of air temperature within the stables.
• For data analysis, variance (ANOVA) analysis was done, exploring factors such as the body part where the coat was sampled, subsequent examination, the stable, and interactions between these variables.
• Differences between means were determined using the t-Tukey test and the correlations between air temperature in the stable and hair length were calculated using Pearson’s correlation.

Findings of the Study

• The results highlighted that stable air temperature significantly impacts horse and pony winter coat length. Stables with lower temperatures led to longer coats, especially in ponies.
• Additionally, it was found that lower air temperatures also influenced the coat shedding process. In colder stables, horses and ponies started shedding their coats approximately 25 days earlier.
• The first area observed for coat shedding was the scapula region of the horses.

Implications of the Research

• This research findings can be useful for effective horse and pony husbandry. By adjusting stable temperatures, it is possible to manage the length and shedding time of winter coats in these animals.
• The study findings also provide insights on different species (horses and ponies) reactions to cold conditions, with ponies being more sensitive to lower temperatures.
• Additionally, the study identifies the scapula area as the first region to initiate coat shedding, which could be useful information for veterinarians and animal husbandry experts.