FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of thermal biology2017; 66; 63-67; doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018

The effect of ambient temperature on infrared thermographic images of joints in the distal forelimbs of healthy racehorses.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to describe the dependence on ambient temperature of distal joint temperature at the forelimbs of racehorses. The study also investigated the influence of differing ambient temperatures on the temperature difference between joints: this was measured ipsilaterally (i.e. between the carpal and fetlock joints along each forelimb) and contralaterally (i.e. between the same joints of the left and right forelimbs). Sixty-four healthy racehorses were monitored over 10 months. At each session, three thermographic images were taken of the dorsal, lateral and medial aspects of the distal forelimbs. Temperature measurements were made from regions of interest (ROIs) covering the carpal and fetlock joints. There was a strong correlation between ambient temperature and absolute joint temperature at all ROIs. The study also observed a moderate correlation between ambient temperature and the ipsilateral temperature differences between joints when measured from the medial and lateral aspects. No significant correlation was noted when measured dorsally. The mean contralateral temperature differences between joints were all close to 0°C. The data support previous reports that the temperature distribution between the forelimbs of the healthy equine is generally symmetric, although some horses differ markedly from the average findings.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2017-04-02 PubMed ID: 28477911DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018Google 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 explores how ambient temperature influences the thermographic images of joint temperature in horse’s forelimbs. The study examined both a direct comparison of joint temperatures and the temperature differences between various joints on the same and opposing sides.

Study Subjects and Methodology

  • The study involved 64 healthy racehorses monitored over a 10-month period.
  • In each session, three thermographic images were taken of the forelimbs focusing on the dorsal (back), lateral (side), and medial (middle) areas of the forelimbs.
  • The temperature measurements were taken from specified areas covering the carpal (wrist) and fetlock (ankle) joints, referred to as Regions of Interest (ROIs).

Role of Ambient Temperature

  • A strong correlation was found between the ambient temperature and the absolute joint temperature at all ROIs under investigation.
  • The researchers observed that changing ambient temperature moderately affected the temperature differences between the joints when measured from the side and middle aspects.
  • However, no significant changes were identified when the temperature differences were measured from the back aspect.

Symmetry in Distribution of Joint Temperatures

  • The study also looked at the temperature differences between the same joints of the left and right front legs of the horses. The average temperature difference was found to be nearly 0°C, indicating that the joint temperature distribution in horses’ limbs is generally symmetric.
  • This observation provides support to previous similar studies.

Individual Variations

  • Despite the general findings, the study noted that some horses exhibited markedly different temperatures in their limbs from the average findings, suggesting individual variations among horses.

In conclusion, the study sheds light on important considerations for thermographic imaging in veterinary medicine, particularly in relation to the effect of ambient temperature and the individual variations among horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K. (2017). The effect of ambient temperature on infrared thermographic images of joints in the distal forelimbs of healthy racehorses. J Therm Biol, 66, 63-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018

Publication

Journal of thermal biology
ISSN: 0306-4565
NlmUniqueID: 7600115
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 66
Pages: 63-67
PII: S0306-4565(16)30414-4

Researcher Affiliations

Soroko, Maria
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Equestrian Studies, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kozuchowska 5A, 51-161 Wrocław, Poland. Electronic address: kontakt@eqma.pl.
Howell, Kevin
  • Microvascular Diagnostics, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK. Electronic address: k.howell@ucl.ac.uk.
Dudek, Krzysztof
  • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Technology, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-231 Wrocław, Poland. Electronic address: krzysztof.dudek@pwr.edu.pl.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Infrared Rays
  • Joints / diagnostic imaging
  • Temperature
  • Thermography / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 21 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. Zielińska P, Soroko M, Godlewska M, Śniegucka K, Dudek K, Howell K. Photothermal Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Area in Clinically Healthy Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 12;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101253pubmed: 35625098google scholar: lookup
  3. Casas-Alvarado A, Martínez-Burnes J, Mora-Medina P, Hernández-Avalos I, Domínguez-Oliva A, Lezama-García K, Gómez-Prado J, Mota-Rojas D. Thermal and Circulatory Changes in Diverse Body Regions in Dogs and Cats Evaluated by Infrared Thermography. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 20;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12060789pubmed: 35327185google scholar: lookup
  4. Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Trojakowska A, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Selection of Image Texture Analysis and Color Model in the Advanced Image Processing of Thermal Images of Horses following Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040444pubmed: 35203152google scholar: lookup
  5. Domino M, Borowska M, Trojakowska A, Kozłowska N, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. The Effect of Rider:Horse Bodyweight Ratio on the Superficial Body Temperature of Horse's Thoracolumbar Region Evaluated by Advanced Thermal Image Processing. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 13;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12020195pubmed: 35049815google scholar: lookup
  6. Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Advances in Thermal Image Analysis for the Detection of Pregnancy in Horses Using Infrared Thermography. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Dec 28;22(1).
    doi: 10.3390/s22010191pubmed: 35009733google scholar: lookup
  7. O' Brien C, Pegg J. A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 7;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11092629pubmed: 34573594google scholar: lookup
  8. Mota-Rojas D, Pereira AMF, Wang D, Martínez-Burnes J, Ghezzi M, Hernández-Avalos I, Lendez P, Mora-Medina P, Casas A, Olmos-Hernández A, Domínguez A, Bertoni A, Geraldo AM. Clinical Applications and Factors Involved in Validating Thermal Windows Used in Infrared Thermography in Cattle and River Buffalo to Assess Health and Productivity. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082247pubmed: 34438705google scholar: lookup
  9. Maśko M, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Jasiński T, Domino M. Thermal features, ambient temperature and hair coat lengths: Limitations of infrared imaging in pregnant primitive breed mares within a year. Reprod Domest Anim 2021 Oct;56(10):1315-1328.
    doi: 10.1111/rda.13994pubmed: 34310786google scholar: lookup
  10. Maśko M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Association between the Area of the Highest Flank Temperature and Concentrations of Reproductive Hormones during Pregnancy in Polish Konik Horses-A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 23;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061517pubmed: 34071111google scholar: lookup
  11. Mieszkowska M, Adamiak Z, Holak P, Głodek J, Jastrzębska E, Wolińska K, Mieszkowski M. The Effect of Horse Shoeing with Egg Bar Shoes and Shoes with Wedge Pads on the Results of Thermal Imaging of the Equine Distal Limb. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 21;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061479pubmed: 34063756google scholar: lookup
  12. Domino M, Romaszewski M, Jasiński T, Maśko M. Comparison of the Surface Thermal Patterns of Horses and Donkeys in Infrared Thermography Images. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 24;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122201pubmed: 33255408google scholar: lookup
  13. Soroko M, Śpitalniak-Bajerska K, Zaborski D, Poźniak B, Dudek K, Janczarek I. Exercise-induced changes in skin temperature and blood parameters in horses. Arch Anim Breed 2019;62(1):205-213.
    doi: 10.5194/aab-62-205-2019pubmed: 31807631google scholar: lookup
  14. Riccio B, Fraschetto C, Villanueva J, Cantatore F, Bertuglia A. Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:195.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00195pubmed: 30191152google scholar: lookup
  15. 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
  16. Naimon N, Jarudecha T, Sussadee M, Muikaew R, Charoensin S. Prediction model for rectal temperature in cats with different baseline characteristics using a non-contact infrared thermometer. Vet World 2024 Oct;17(10):2193-2203.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.2193-2203pubmed: 39619920google scholar: lookup
  17. Nawrot K, Soroko-Dubrovina M, Zielińska P, Dudek K, Howell K. The Application of Infrared Thermography in the Assessment of BEMER Physical Vascular Therapy on Body Surface Temperature in Racing Thoroughbreds: A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 23;14(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14111538pubmed: 38891585google scholar: lookup
  18. Tilley HB, Murphy D, Wierucka K, Wong TC, Surreault-Châble A, Mumby HS. Physical activity and temperature changes of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) participating in eco-tourism activities and elephant polo. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0300373.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300373pubmed: 38696403google scholar: lookup
  19. 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
  20. Kapcak AB, Dogan E. Short Communication: Correlation of Thermographic Ocular and Auricular Temperatures with Rectal Temperature in Anesthetized Dogs. Vet Med Int 2023;2023:9939580.
    doi: 10.1155/2023/9939580pubmed: 37900580google scholar: lookup
  21. Cain AA, Davis GJ, Davis S, Bastian RP, Marquez V, Probasco H, Desantis E. Infrared thermography as a diagnostic tool to detect cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs. Can J Vet Res 2023 Oct;87(4):290-296.
    pubmed: 37790270
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.