Use of dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water losses to determine sweating rates in exercising horses.
Abstract: To compare dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water loss as methods for determination of sweating rate (SR) in exercising horses. Methods: 6 exercise-trained Thoroughbreds. Methods: SR was measured in 6 horses exercising at 40% of the speed that elicited maximum oxygen consumption for 45 km, with a 15-minute rest at the end of each 15-km phase. Each horse completed 2 exercise trials. Dew-point hygrometry, as a method of local SR determination, was validated in vitro by measurement of rate of evaporative water loss. During exercise, local SR was determined every 10 minutes by the following 2 methods: (1) dew-point hygrometry on the neck and lateral area of the thorax, and (2) on the basis of the volume of sweat collected from a sealed plastic pouch attached to the lateral area of the thorax. Mean whole body SR was calculated from total body water loss incurred during exercise. Results: Evaporation rate measured by use of dew-point hygrometry was significantly correlated (r2 = 0.92) with the actual rate of evaporative water loss. There was a similar pattern of change in SR measured by dew-point hygrometry on the neck and lateral area of the thorax during exercise, with a significantly higher SR on the neck. The SR measured on the thorax by direct sweat collection and by dew-point hygrometry were of similar magnitude. Mean whole body SR calculated from total body water loss was not significantly different from mean whole body SR estimated from direct sweat collection or dew-point hygrometry measurements on the thorax. Conclusions: Dew-point hygrometry and direct sweat collection are useful methods for determination of local SR in horses during prolonged, steady-state exercise in moderate ambient conditions. Both methods of local SR determination provide an accurate estimated of whole body SR.
Publication Date: 1997-02-01 PubMed ID: 9028485
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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- 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.
The study focused on comparing three different methods, namely dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water loss, to determine the sweating rate of exercising horses.
Methodology
- Six exercise-trained Thoroughbreds were chosen for the research. These horses were made to exercise with specific intervals and their sweat rates (SR) were measured. The exercise pattern was at 40% of their maximum oxygen consumption speed and covered a distance of 45 km. This pattern included a 15-minute rest period after each 15km phase.
- The method of dew-point hygrometry, used for local sweat rate determination, was validated by measuring the rate of evaporative water loss in vitro. The local SR was determined every 10 minutes using two methods: dew-point hygrometry on the neck and lateral area of the thorax and measurement of sweat volume collected from a plastic pouch attached to the lateral area of the thorax.
- Whole body sweat rate was calculated using the total body water loss incurred during exercise.
Findings
- The rate of evaporation measured through dew-point hygrometry showed a high correlation (0.92) with the actual rate of evaporative water loss.
- There was a significant change pattern in SR as measured through dew-point hygrometry on the neck and lateral area of the thorax during exercise. Higher SR was observed on the neck compared to the thorax.
- Sweat rate measured on the thorax through direct sweat collection and dew-point hygrometry were of similar magnitude. The mean whole body sweat rate calculated from total body water was not significantly different from the rate estimated from direct sweat collection or dew-point hygrometry measurements on the thorax.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that dew-point hygrometry and direct sweat collection are effective methods to determine local sweat rate in horses during prolonged, steady-state exercise in moderate ambient conditions. Both methods were found to provide an accurate estimate of whole body sweat rate.
Cite This Article
APA
Kingston JK, Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ.
(1997).
Use of dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water losses to determine sweating rates in exercising horses.
Am J Vet Res, 58(2), 175-181.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterniary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Methods
- Oxygen Consumption
- Physical Exertion
- Skin
- Sweat
- Sweating
- Water Loss, Insensible
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Lindinger MI. Oral Electrolyte and Water Supplementation in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 10;9(11).
- Mishra AK, Pan W, Giannelis EP, Shepherd RF, Wallin TJ. Making bioinspired 3D-printed autonomic perspiring hydrogel actuators. Nat Protoc 2021 Apr;16(4):2068-2087.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
