Using infrared thermography for the evaluation of road transport thermal homeostasis in athletic horse.

The research aimed to measure changes in body temperature of athletic horses during road transportation, covering distances of 100 and 300 kilometres at different times of day. The researchers found out that the time of day and distance travelled significantly affected the body temperatures of these horses.

Objective of the Study

• This study aimed to evaluate changes in body temperature in athletic horses during transport over different distances and at varying times of day.

Methodology

• The researchers used six Italian Saddle horses, which were transported over distances of 100 and 300 km. The transportation took place at different times of the day – in the morning (am) and afternoon (pm).
• The body temperatures of the horses were recorded before (T0), immediately after (T1), and one hour after transport (T2). The temperatures were recorded using a rectal digital thermometer and a thermal infrared camera (FLIR T440).
• The infrared camera was used to evaluate the left and right sides of four body regions: jugular, shoulder, croup, and inner thigh.

Findings

• The study revealed that there were no differences between left and right sides, inner thigh or rectal temperatures when comparing the transport distance, time points or time of day.
• However, at the starting point (T0), jugular, shoulder, and croup average temperatures were higher in the afternoon than in the morning in both journeys.
• Immediately after transportation (T1), jugular and croup temperatures were lower in the afternoon than in the morning following the 300 km journey.
• Jugular temperature was higher following the 300 km journey as compared to the 100 km journey at each time point (T1 and T2) at both times of the day (morning and afternoon).
• Shoulder and croup temperatures were higher an hour after the 300 km journey than an hour after the 100 km journey.

Implications of the Study

• The study’s findings suggest a difference in temperature changes in athletic horses between the two distances. The study also indicated that the time of day plays a significant role in the horses’ body temperature as much as the distance of road transport.