Horse Preferences for Insolation, Shade or Mist Curtain in the Paddock under Heat Conditions: Cardiac and Behavioural Response Analysis.
Authors: Janczarek Iwona, Stachurska Anna, Wilk Izabela, Wiśniewska Anna, Różańska-Boczula Monika, Kaczmarek Beata, Łuszczyński Jarosław, Kędzierski Witold
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary When exposed to heat stress (29–32°C), horses demonstrated distinct physiological and behavioural responses depending on their chosen microclimate, yet individual preferences varied considerably. Janczarek and colleagues monitored twelve horses during 45-minute paddock turnouts, tracking six cardiac variables, locomotor activity, rectal temperature, and time allocation between insolated, shaded, and mist-curtain areas. Whilst horses showed no population-level preference for any single environment, those choosing to stand in sunlight or under mist curtains displayed greater parasympathetic markers of relaxation compared to shaded areas—a counterintuitive finding suggesting that enforced shade may paradoxically trigger mild stress responses. Critically, no horse demonstrated clinical thermal discomfort signs in direct sun, and free environmental choice maintained both core temperature and cardiac parameters within similar ranges across all three conditions. For practitioners managing horses in warm climates, this work supports providing multiple microclimatic options (shade, mist systems, and open paddock areas) rather than assuming all animals require constant shelter, allowing individuals to self-regulate thermoregulation and emotional state according to their needs.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Offer horses access to multiple environmental options (sun, shade, and mist/spray facilities) during hot weather rather than restricting them to single conditions, as this supports both thermal regulation and emotional wellbeing
- •Individual horses have different thermal preferences—monitor your horses' choices to understand their preferences, as some may actually prefer sunny areas even in heat
- •Installing mist curtains or water spray systems can be as effective as shade for reducing thermal stress and improving relaxation, offering a practical alternative in facilities where shade is limited
Key Findings
- •Horses showed individual preferences for insolated, shaded, or mist curtain areas but no clear group preference, with considerable variation between individuals
- •Horses demonstrated higher relaxation levels when in insolated and mist curtain areas compared to shade, measured via cardiac and behavioral parameters
- •Free choice between three environmental conditions maintained stable body temperature and emotional arousal in paddock settings at 29-32°C
- •Provision of shade and mist curtains in paddocks appears beneficial for maintaining horse welfare during heat stress conditions