Effect of Different Blanket Weights on Surface Temperature of Horses in Cold Climates.
Authors: Hammer Carolyn, Gunkelman Mattia
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hammer and Gunkelman investigated how blanket weight influences thermoregulation in horses exposed to severe cold, using thermal imaging to assess surface temperature changes across four mature stock-type horses in a controlled Latin square design with blanket weights ranging from 0 g (control) to 400 g of fiberfill. Following one hour of cold exposure at −23°C (wind chill −32°C), lumbar surface temperatures differed significantly between treatments, with unblanketed horses measuring 22.3°C compared to 31.5°C in heavily blanketed animals—a clinically substantial 9.2°C differential that demonstrates blanket efficacy even in severe conditions. Medium and heavy-weight blankets maintained significantly warmer lumbar temperatures (30.3°C and 31.5°C respectively; P ≤ 0.009), whilst light-weight blankets showed a non-significant warming trend, indicating a threshold effect where blanket insulation must reach a minimum effectiveness to meaningfully preserve core heat distribution. For equine professionals managing horses in cold climates, these findings provide quantifiable evidence that blanket selection directly impacts thermoregulatory outcomes; the data supports strategic use of adequate insulation during harsh weather, particularly for horses with compromised metabolic capacity, those in poor condition, or those required to remain outdoors for extended periods.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Use blankets in cold climates to prevent dangerous surface temperature drops; heavy blankets (400g fiberfill) provide superior thermal protection in extreme cold
- •Medium-weight blankets offer practical compromise between warmth and manageability for typical cold weather conditions
- •Unblanketed horses show dramatically reduced surface temperatures after just 1 hour in severe cold; blanket use is essential for outdoor horses in winter
Key Findings
- •Heavy weight blankets (400g fiberfill) maintained lumbar surface temperature at 31.5°C after 1 hour of cold exposure (-23°C ambient, -32°C wind chill), compared to 22.3°C in unblanketed controls
- •Medium weight blankets (200g fiberfill) achieved 30.3°C lumbar temperature, showing dose-dependent thermal protection
- •Blanket weight significantly influenced temperature retention (P = 0.02), with heavy and medium weights warmer than controls (P ≤ 0.009)
- •Change in lumbar temperature decreased significantly in unblanketed controls compared to all blanketed treatments (P ≤ 0.01)