Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring.
Authors: Verdegaal Elisabeth-Lidwien J M M, Howarth Gordon S, McWhorter Todd J, Delesalle Catherine J G
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring Hyperthermia and exertional heat illness represent genuine welfare and performance concerns in working horses, yet early detection of dangerous metabolic heat accumulation remains challenging in field conditions. Verdegaal and colleagues conducted a comprehensive review of infrared thermographic (IRT) studies monitoring skin temperature during exercise, examining the methodological approaches, practical applications, and limitations of this non-invasive assessment technique. Whilst skin temperature monitoring via thermography is technically straightforward and increasingly accessible, the research demonstrates that skin temperature alone does not reliably predict core body temperature changes during field work—a critical distinction for practitioners attempting to identify horses at risk. Individual variation in thermoregulatory responses means that standardised temperature thresholds are insufficient; horses require personalised monitoring protocols to optimise their welfare during intense activity. The practical takeaway is clear: infrared thermography has value as a screening tool but must always be integrated with traditional clinical assessment (heart rate recovery, respiratory rate, behavioural signs) and veterinary examination rather than relied upon as a standalone monitoring system.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Do not rely on thermal imaging of skin temperature alone to assess heat stress risk in working horses—always combine it with clinical observation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and veterinary assessment
- •Recognize that horses vary in how their skin temperature reflects internal heat accumulation; what looks normal thermographically in one horse may mask dangerous core temperature rise in another
- •Emerging wearable monitoring technology may eventually improve real-time detection of hyperthermic risk, but current best practice requires multimodal assessment during and after field work
Key Findings
- •Skin temperature monitoring via infrared thermography is non-invasive and straightforward but continuous skin temperature alone does not reliably estimate core body temperature changes during field exercise
- •Inter-individual differences in thermoregulation responses exist and must be recognized to optimize individual horse welfare
- •Infrared thermographic assessment of skin temperature should always be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments and veterinary examinations rather than as a standalone monitoring tool