Effect of air temperature and humidity in a stable on basic physiological parameters in horses

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse selected air parameters in a stable (microclimate) and the basic physiological parameters of horses housed in the stable in different seasons of the year. The research material was 12 adult hot-blooded horses kept in a brick stable with stalls. Air parameters in the stable (temperature in the passageway, temperature in the stall at two points, relative humidity in the passageway, and relative humidity in the stall at two points) were determined four times in one year, in summer, autumn, winter and spring. Measurements were made with a Bluetooth BLE-LOGGER LB-518 battery-operated cordless thermo-hygrometer at 12 noon at five points in the stable located 300 cm apart. Physiological parameters of the horses, i.e. internal body temperature (Veterinär SC 12 veterinary thermometer), heart rate (Polar ELECTRO OY RS800CX with PolarProTrainer 5.0. software), and respiratory rate (with a manual stopwatch) were measured at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on each day of the study. The season of the year was found to have a significant influence on the microclimate of the stable. To ensure optimal air humidity, airing of the stable should be limited only in winter and periodically in autumn. It is also worth emphasizing that the stable microclimate has a marked effect on the basic physiological parameters of horses. High temperature and relative humidity in the stable can cause unfavourable changes in the form of an increase in evening body temperature in the summer and a decrease in the winter. The remaining parameters, i.e. heart rate and respiratory rate, can also unfavourably increase, mainly in the summer. Horses should have fewer problems maintaining normal physiological parameters in winter, even fewer in autumn, and the fewest in spring.

Keywords

• horses
• stable
• air parameters
• physiological parameters