Distribution of Superficial Body Temperature in Horses Ridden by Two Riders with Varied Body Weights.
Authors: Wilk Izabela, Wnuk-Pawlak Elżbieta, Janczarek Iwona, Kaczmarek Beata, Dybczyńska Marta, Przetacznik Monika
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers compared thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses in 12 leisure warmbloods (mean 470 kg) ridden by two equally skilled riders representing approximately 10% and 20% of each horse's bodyweight during standardised exercise (13 minutes walk, 20 minutes trot). Using infrared thermography at rest, immediately post-exercise, and during 10-minute recovery, alongside heart rate monitoring and rectal temperature measurement, the team identified significant increases in superficial temperature across the neck, front, middle, and croup regions when rider load reached 20% bodyweight compared to 10% load, though head and limb temperatures remained largely unaffected. The heavier rider load also produced measurable changes in autonomic nervous system activity. These findings suggest that rider weights approaching or exceeding 20% of a horse's bodyweight—even during low-intensity exercise—trigger physiological stress responses that merit consideration in welfare assessment and workload prescription, particularly for older leisure horses or those with marginal athletic conditioning.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Rider weight should ideally not exceed 10% of horse body weight to minimize thermoregulatory stress; loads above 20% negatively impact welfare even at light exercise intensities
- •Monitor trunk temperature (neck, thorax, loin, croup) as an indicator of whether a horse is being overloaded—these areas show clear thermal responses to excessive weight
- •Consider using thermal imaging as a practical tool to assess individual horse responses to different rider weights and adjust ride programs accordingly to optimize welfare
Key Findings
- •Rider body weight at approximately 20% of horse body weight caused substantial increases in superficial temperatures of neck, front, middle, and back trunk compared to 10% load
- •Head and limb surface temperatures were not significantly affected by the difference between 10% and 20% rider weight loads
- •Rider loads above 20% of horse body weight affected changes in surface temperature and autonomic nervous system activity even with minimal exercise effort
- •Temperature changes were measured using infrared thermography across multiple body regions during rest, post-exercise, and recovery phases