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Integrative model for predicting thermal balance in exercising horses
H J Mostert1, R J Lund, A J Guthrie
1Equine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|July 1, 1996
Summary
This study presents a new model for equine heat balance, focusing on evaporative heat loss. It quantizes how temperature and humidity impact a horse's ability to cool down during exercise.
Area of Science:
- Equine physiology
- Environmental thermodynamics
- Animal exercise science
Background:
- Understanding equine heat balance is crucial for animal welfare and performance.
- Previous models inadequately described evaporative heat loss under varying environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a theoretical integrative model for determining the heat balance of horses during exercise.
- To uniquely estimate heat loss via sweat evaporation, considering environmental factors.
Main Methods:
- Developed a theoretical model incorporating metabolic heat gain, solar gain, evaporative, respiratory, radiative, convective, and conductive heat exchange.
- Modeled evaporative heat loss by representing the horse's skin surface as a body of water interacting with the atmosphere.
- Quantified the effects of ambient temperature and humidity on evaporative heat loss.
Main Results:
- The model integrates all known factors affecting a working horse's thermal balance.
- Evaporative heat loss, the primary cooling mechanism, is significantly affected by ambient temperature and humidity.
- Increasing relative humidity and lack of air movement (e.g., on treadmills) critically limit evaporative heat loss.
Conclusions:
- The developed model provides a comprehensive framework for assessing equine heat balance.
- Environmental conditions, particularly high humidity, pose significant challenges to evaporative cooling in horses.
- Further research is needed to confirm the thermodynamic characteristics of equine sweat.