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Munsters C, Siegers E, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M. Effect of a 14-Day Period of Heat Acclimation on Horses Using Heated Indoor Arenas in Preparation for Tokyo Olympic Games. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:546. [PMID: 38396514 PMCID: PMC10886293 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
To optimise the performance and welfare of horses during equestrian competitions in hot climates, it is advised to acclimate them to the heat. The effects of training in a heated indoor arena were studied. Four Olympic horses (13.3 ± 2.2 years; three eventers, one para-dressage horse) were trained for 14 consecutive days in a heated indoor arena (32 ± 1 °C; 50-60% humidity) following their normal training schedule in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic games. Standardised exercise tests (SETs) were performed on Day 1 and Day 14, measuring heart rate (HR; bpm), plasma lactate concentration (LA; mmol/L), deep rectal temperature (Trec; °C), sweat loss (SL; L), and sweat composition (K+, Cl- and Na+ concentration). The data were analysed using linear mixed models. The Trec and HR were significantly decreased after acclimation (estimate: -0.106, 95% CI -0.134, -0.078; estimate: -4.067, 95% CI -7.535, -0.598, respectively). Furthermore, for all the horses, the time taken to reach their peak Trec and heat storage increased, while their LA concentrations decreased. The SL, Cl-, and Na+ concentrations decreased in three out of the four horses. Conclusions: Fourteen days of normal training in a heated indoor arena resulted in a reduction in cardiovascular and thermal strain. This is advantageous because it shows that elite sport horses can be acclimated while training as usual for a championship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien Munsters
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands (M.S.v.O.-O.)
- Equine Integration B.V., Groenstraat 2c, 5528 Hoogeloon, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Siegers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands (M.S.v.O.-O.)
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Verdegaal ELJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Delesalle CJG. Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:136. [PMID: 38200867 PMCID: PMC10777899 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperthermia and exertional heat illness (EHI) are performance and welfare issues for all exercising horses. Monitoring the thermoregulatory response allows for early recognition of metabolic heat accumulation during exercise and the possibility of taking prompt and effective preventative measures to avoid a further increase in core body temperature (Tc) leading to hyperthermia. Skin temperature (Tsk) monitoring is most used as a non-invasive tool to assess the thermoregulatory response pre- and post-exercise, particularly employing infrared thermographic equipment. However, only a few studies have used thermography to monitor skin temperature continuously during exercise. This commentary provides an overview of studies investigating surface skin temperature mainly by infrared thermography (IRT) during exercise. The scientific evidence, including methodologies, applications, and challenges associated with (continuous) skin temperature monitoring in horses during field exercise, is discussed. The commentary highlights that, while monitoring Tsk is straightforward, continuous Tsk alone does not always reliably estimate Tc evolvement during field exercise. In addition, inter-individual differences in thermoregulation need to be recognized and accounted for to optimize individual wellbeing. With the ongoing development and application of advanced wearable monitoring technology, there may be future advances in equipment and modeling for timely intervention with horses at hyperthermic risk to improve their welfare. However, at this point, infrared thermographic assessment of Tsk should always be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments and veterinary examinations for a reliable monitoring of the welfare of the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth-Lidwien J. M. M. Verdegaal
- Thermoregulation Research Group, Equine Health and Performance Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5116, Australia; (G.S.H.); (T.J.M.); (C.J.G.D.)
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
- Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Gordon S. Howarth
- Thermoregulation Research Group, Equine Health and Performance Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5116, Australia; (G.S.H.); (T.J.M.); (C.J.G.D.)
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Todd J. McWhorter
- Thermoregulation Research Group, Equine Health and Performance Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5116, Australia; (G.S.H.); (T.J.M.); (C.J.G.D.)
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Catherine J. G. Delesalle
- Thermoregulation Research Group, Equine Health and Performance Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5116, Australia; (G.S.H.); (T.J.M.); (C.J.G.D.)
- Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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