The effect of coat clipping on thermoregulation during intense exercise in trotters

Abstract

The aim of this study was to study the physiological, especially thermoregulatory, responses during intense exercise in the clipped horse compared to the horse with winter coat. Six Standardbred trotters were studied before and after clipping. They performed an inclined incremental high intensity treadmill exercise test and were monitored during recovery. The clipped horse differed significantly (ANOVA) during exercise as compare to coated: less increase in central venous blood temperature, higher skin surface temperature, greater difference skin to ambient temperature and higher rate of nonevaporative heat loss. The clipped horse had significantly lower total cutaneous evaporative heat loss from walk to end of peak exercise and a shorter time for recovery for the respiratory rate using a paired t test. The clipped horse showed a tendency (P = 0.059) to decreased oxygen uptake during the stepwise increase in workload. We concluded that the clipped horse experienced less strain on the thermoregulatory system due to an enhanced heat loss. Some clipped horses in the study showed a more efficient power output; future studies with emphasis on respiration and oxygen demand are needed to explain this.

Temperature regulation in horses during exercise and recovery in a cool environment

“…Instead skin temperatures increased soon after onset of exercise and also rectal temperature increased. Similar results were found before and after clipping horses during exercise and recovery in a climatic chamber, although those experiments were performed at an ambient temperatures above zero [ 9 ].…”

“…Horses adapted to cool winter climate exercising in a climatic chamber at temperatures ranging from 5 to 18°C showed more efficient evaporation after they had been clipped than comparable experiment with winter coat intact [ 9 ]. Horses that compete during winter time may thus benefit from clipping, but blanketing at rest may be needed to keep the clipped horse warm [ 10 ].…”

Distribution of Superficial Body Temperature in Horses Ridden by Two Riders with Varied Body Weights

“…It seems that if the regression of the body temperature is more pronounced, then a transitory increase is not so noticeable to the body. A slow recovery phase of body temperature emphasizes, even more, the need for thorough investigations on the impact of loads put on the horse on changes in the superficial body temperature because, as reported by Morgan et al [31], a prolonged time of temperature restitution significantly increases oxygen consumption by the horse. Similar results were found for people.…”

Preference for shelter and additional heat in horses exposed to Nordic winter conditions

“…Horses with heavy hair coat sample weight spent more time outdoors. The hair coat provides protection against the elements and its insulative value increases with weight density . Clipping this hair coat renders the horse without its basic protection and blankets are, at best, a poor replacement.…”

“…The hair coat provides protection against the elements and its insulative value increases with weight density . Clipping this hair coat renders the horse without its basic protection and blankets are, at best, a poor replacement. Providing a shelter in outdoor enclosures might therefore be a better management solution than extensive use of blankets , allowing horses with intact hair coats to self‐adjust their heat loss to the environment, as weather changes rapidly during the course of the day.…”