Stable microclimates and autonomic modulation in horses housed in different stable architectures during monsoon in a tropical environment.
Authors: Poochipakorn Chanoknun, Sanigavatee Kanokpan, Leelehapongsathon Kansuda, Wonghanchao Thita, Chanda Metha
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Stable Design, Environmental Stress, and Autonomic Response in Tropical Housing Tropical monsoon conditions create uniquely challenging housing environments for stabled horses, yet research into how different architectural designs buffer against humidity, temperature fluctuations, and noxious gas accumulation has been limited. Researchers in Thailand monitored 22 horses across three contrasting stable designs, measuring microclimate variables (relative humidity, air temperature, gas concentrations) alongside continuous 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring—a sensitive marker of autonomic nervous system activity and stress. Critically, horses confined in low-volume stables with solid external walls demonstrated significantly depressed HRV metrics (p < 0.05–0.0001) indicative of heightened sympathetic stress, whereas horses in higher-volume designs or those with open-wall construction exhibited superior autonomic regulation. The strong correlation between microclimatic parameters and HRV responses demonstrates that stable architecture directly influences physiological stress loads during the monsoon period. For practitioners managing horses in humid tropical climates, these findings underscore that increasing air exchange rates and stall volume—through open-wall designs or strategic ventilation—can meaningfully reduce environmental stress and support better autonomic balance, particularly during prolonged wet seasons when sealed structures promote dangerous gas and moisture accumulation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Stable design significantly impacts horse stress levels during monsoon; prioritize designs with adequate volume per horse and improved ventilation to reduce physiological stress markers
- •Monitor microclimate conditions (humidity, temperature, air quality) in your facilities as these directly influence horses' autonomic nervous system responses and overall welfare
- •If retrofitting existing stables in tropical monsoon climates, consider increasing air space per horse and improving wall design to enhance ventilation rather than relying solely on solid external walls
Key Findings
- •Horses in stables with solid external walls and lower volume-to-horse ratio exhibited significantly lower heart rate variability (p < 0.05-0.0001), indicating greater stress compared to other designs
- •Stable microclimate conditions (relative humidity, air temperature, noxious gases) varied significantly across different architectural designs with notable day-night differences
- •A correlation was established between stable microclimate parameters and heart rate variability modulation based on stable design
- •Stables with solid walls but higher volume-to-horse ratio or without solid external walls resulted in better autonomic modulation in horses