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Equine veterinary journal1998; 30(1); 28-34; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04085.x

Post exercise changes in compartmental body temperature accompanying intermittent cold water cooling in the hyperthermic horse.

Abstract: Whereas the efficacy of cold water cooling of horses has been demonstrated by several studies, the dynamics of temperature changes within and between compartments (primarily muscle, blood [core], skin and deep core [rectal]) have not been investigated. Changes in body temperature associated with cold water cooling were investigated in the hyperthermic horse. Muscle (TMU), pulmonary artery (TPA), rectal (TREC), tail-skin (TTSK) and coat surface (TCOAT) temperatures, were monitored continuously in 5 Thoroughbred horses during and after exercise in hot humid (30 degrees C and 80% RH) conditions on a treadmill. Horses were cooled in the hot humid environment with cold water (approximately 6 degrees C) for 6 30 s periods. Between each 30 s cooling period the horses stood for 30 s. A total of 180 l of cold water was applied. Horses were monitored for a further 4 min following the final cooling period. From the end of exercise to the end of the final cooling (6.5 min), mean (+/- s.e.) rates of decrease for TTSK and TPA were similar (0.8 +/- 0.1 and 0.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C/min, respectively). The effects on TMU and TREC were less marked, with average rates of 0.2 +/- 0.1 and 0.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C/min, respectively. During the first 4 min of cooling, TPA fell during the 30 s period of water application and rose during each 30 s period of standing. When TPA fell below approximately 36.5 degrees C, these variations were suppressed and TPA rose steadily, despite continued applications; TREC and TMU continued to fall, although less rapidly than before. These observations are consistent with the onset of skin vasoconstriction at low TPA. The mechanism is mediated through a cooling of circulating blood volume providing a greater capacity for heat transfer between muscle and circulation. Intermittent application of cold water (approximately 6 degrees C) improves heat removal without apparent deleterious effects and is well tolerated. Even when hypothermia develops (based on TPA), muscle and rectal temperatures continue to fall.
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Publication Date: 1998-02-12 PubMed ID: 9458396DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04085.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research focuses on the changes in body temperature experienced by horses when subjected to intermittent cold water cooling following exercise. The study particularly notes the changes in different parts of the body such as the muscle, blood, skin and the horse’s core temperature.

Study background

Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of cold water cooling of horses, but this study ventures into the nuances of how temperature changes occur in various areas of the horse’s body. The research primarily focused on monitoring changes in muscle, pulmonary artery, rectal, tail-skin, and coat surface temperatures. The changes were monitored both during and after exercise under high temperature (30 degrees C) and high humidity (80%) conditions on a treadmill.

Methodology

  • The experimental subjects were five thoroughbred horses.
  • The horses were subjected to exercise on a treadmill in hot and humid environment.
  • Subsequent to exercising, the horses were then cooled down via intermittent exposure to cold water – approximately 6 degrees Celsius in temperature – over several 30 second periods.
  • During these cooling periods, the horses stood still and changes in their body temperatures were constantly observed.

Observations and findings

  • The researchers noticed that the tail-skin and pulmonary artery temperatures showed similar decrease rates in temperature.
  • The changes in muscle and rectal temperatures were less marked, with average rates showing a deceleration.
  • During the initial four minutes of cooling, the pulmonary artery temperature fell with water application but increased during the standing periods.
  • When the pulmonary artery temperature dropped below approximately 36.5 degrees Celsius, the variations were suppressed, and the temperature started to rise steadily even though the cooling applications continued.
  • Despite this rise in pulmonary artery temperature, the muscle and rectal temperatures continued to fall, albeit at a slower rate.

Conclusion

The pattern of observations suggests that skin vasoconstriction occurred when the pulmonary artery temperature dropped to a certain level. This cooling of circulating blood volume allows for a greater capacity for heat transfer between the muscle and circulation. The study concludes that intermittent application of cold water improves heat removal without any apparent harmful effects and is well tolerated by the horses. Even when the horse’s body temperature reduced significantly below normal, the muscle and rectal temperatures continued to lessen.

Cite This Article

APA
Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Roberts CA, Casas I, Holah G, Schroter RC. (1998). Post exercise changes in compartmental body temperature accompanying intermittent cold water cooling in the hyperthermic horse. Equine Vet J, 30(1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04085.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 28-34

Researcher Affiliations

Marlin, D J
  • Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
Scott, C M
    Roberts, C A
      Casas, I
        Holah, G
          Schroter, R C

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Body Temperature / physiology
            • Cold Temperature
            • Environment
            • Female
            • Fever / physiopathology
            • Fever / therapy
            • Fever / veterinary
            • Heart Rate / physiology
            • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
            • Horse Diseases / therapy
            • Horses
            • Humidity
            • Male
            • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
            • Pulmonary Artery / physiology
            • Respiration / physiology
            • Skin Temperature / physiology
            • Thermography / methods
            • Thermography / veterinary
            • Time Factors
            • Vasoconstriction / physiology
            • Water

            Citations

            This article has been cited 18 times.
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