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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(23); 3255; doi: 10.3390/ani12233255

Use of Infrared Thermography to Assess Body Temperature as a Physiological Stress Indicator in Horses during Ridden and Lunging Sessions.

Abstract: Equitation is a cause of physiological stress in the equine athlete, and personality is a factor generally associated with the different responses of equines to stressors. This study explored ocular temperature, measured via infrared thermography, associated with personality and stress in horses submitted to dressage exercising in riding lessons, ridden training and lunging. Infrared thermograms of 16 horses were taken before and after sessions using an FLIR F4 camera (FLIR Systems AB, Sweden) to determine maximum eye surface IRT temperature (IRTmax), and total training time was registered (T). A novel-stimulus test was conducted for personality assessment, and the ridden behavior was scored (mRBS). The results showed that T was statistically different (p ˂ 0.001) between modalities, but no differences were found in any IRTmax tests. Statistical correlations were found between mRBS and personality groups, sex and age (all p < 0.001). Additionally—and with caution, given the sample—no association was found between mRBS and post-workout IRT readings and modality, or between pre-workout IRT readings and personality groups. We conclude that trained horses show little stress when working in a familiar environment and when the workout plan is submaximal. The personality test was adequate and positively correlated with ridden behavior.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-23 PubMed ID: 36496777PubMed Central: PMC9740049DOI: 10.3390/ani12233255Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article discusses a study that examined the ocular temperature of horses through infrared thermography as an indicator of stress resulting from riding and lunging exercises. The study also considered the influence of the horses’ personalities on stress responses.

Research Methodology

  • The study comprised infrared thermogram readings of 16 horses both prior and post exercise session. These sessions consisted of riding lessons, ridden training and lunging. An FLIR F4 camera was used to capture these readings, specifically noting the maximum temperature on the surface of the eyes, a metric termed as IRTmax.
  • Additionally, each horse’s total training time was recorded.
  • A novel-stimulus test was conducted to assess the personality of each horse. The behavior of the horses during ridden exercises was also observed and scored (mRBS, or mounted Ridden Behavior Score).

Research Findings

  • The results indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in the total training time when comparing the various exercise modalities. However, no differences were found in IRTmax temperature in any of the tests.
  • Statistically significant correlations were observed between mRBS and personality groups, sex, and age.
  • Interestingly, the results showed no clear association between mRBS and post-workout IRT readings and mode of exercise or between pre-workout IRT readings and personality groups.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that trained horses exhibit minimal stress when exercising in familiar environments or when the exercise plan is submaximal.
  • The personality test was deemed appropriate and was observed to have a positive correlation with ridden behavior.

The study’s results could prove beneficial in further understanding equine stress indicators, improving training strategies, and possibly enhancing the well-being of equine athletes by minimizing stress during training.

Cite This Article

APA
Martins JN, Silva SR. (2022). Use of Infrared Thermography to Assess Body Temperature as a Physiological Stress Indicator in Horses during Ridden and Lunging Sessions. Animals (Basel), 12(23), 3255. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233255

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 23
PII: 3255

Researcher Affiliations

Martins, Joana Noronha
  • Animal Science Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Silva, Severiano R
  • Animal Science Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV) and Associate Laboratory of Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Grant Funding

  • UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 / Fundau00e7u00e3o para a Ciu00eancia e Tecnologia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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