Abstract

1. The main aim of this experiment was to study the physiological responses in standing horses exposed to an acute short-term change in ambient temperature. A second aim was to study the effect of changes of coat insulation on the physiological responses of the horse.2. The parameters studied were body core temperature, heart rate and respiration rate.3. The measurements were performed on five horses exposed to six different temperatures between -3 and 37 degrees C in a climatic chamber. The measurement of the effect of changes in coat insulation were made in 6 degrees C and the treatments were shearing and covering with a rug.4. No effects on heart rate or in body core temperature were found in the main study. The respiration rate increased in ambient air temperatures above 20 degrees C.5. In the measurement of the effects of insulation, the sheared horses had a lower mean respiration rate compared to the horses with intact coat. All horses, except one of the sheared horses, maintain normal body temperature. There was no effect on heart rate. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Keywords

horse; thermoregulation; body temperature; heart rate; respiration rate; shearing; covering; altered insulation

Published in

Journal of Thermal Biology
1997, Volume: 22, number: 3, pages: 187-194
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

SLU Authors

• Morgan, Karin

  • Department of Agricultural Engineering, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Medical Bioscience


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00008-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122965