Tracking the Impact of Weather on Equine Activity While Pastured.

The research presents a study on the impact of weather conditions on the activity level of horses while in a pasture. Contrary to common assumptions, the study found no strong correlation between weather and horse movement, pointing toward other possible influences that need further investigation.

Objective of the study

The study aimed to explore how various weather factors – temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed – directly influence the movement of horses when kept in pastures. This was important in providing insights into how to promote both mental and physical health in horses by optimising their activity levels.

• The study was motivated by the known benefits of keeping horses outdoors with free access to shelter as compared to keeping them in stalls. It is generally believed that pastures provide opportunities for increased physical activity, which in turn promotes better health in horses. However, how weather conditions influence this potential was yet to be established.

Methods used in the study

The research was conducted on two farmlands managed in the same way. The subject horses were fitted with triaxial accelerometers for five independent periods from January to August. These devices helped record specific measures like number of steps taken, time spent standing and lying down, and number of lying bouts.

• These measures were necessary in tracking the movement of the horses, which would then be compared to corresponding weather conditions. The goal was to find any direct relationships between the horses’ movement measurements and the different weather factors.

Findings from the study

Interestingly, the study found no clear correlations between the movement of horses and any of the observed weather conditions. That is, factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation did not significantly influence the activity of horses in pastures.

• However, the study identified differences in the average number of steps taken and average time spent lying down. These differences were observed between the two farms and across various testing periods.
• Such observations suggest potential influences other than weather, possibly ground conditions and the use of blankets, which seemed to have an impact on the horses’ activity. Therefore, these factors require further investigation in future studies.

Conclusions and implications from the study

The research suggests that weather conditions may not be a major determinant of horse activity when the horses are kept in pastures. Instead, other factors, which vary across different farms and periods, might be influential.

• Consequently, in order to encourage pasture activity and to support optimal physical health in horses, other factors that could influence the horses’ movement need to be considered. More studies in this area are therefore needed.