Hoop structure for horses during winter season: controlling the low critical temperature

Abstract

Hoop barns, the low input housing structures, can be used in housing horses during fall and winter seasons. One of the hoop structures issue is the level of temperature, which is close to environmental temperature. The aim of this study is to show some technological measures which can overcome the weaknesses of hoop structures such as: feeding strategy, water system and body warming of horses using IR film. The control variable was the skin temperature of six horses, repeatedly measured with FLIR® thermo camera during several levels of environmental temperature. In the study, by using IR heating film at outside temperatures such as 0, -5 and -10°C,  the body temperature measured in three body regions (neck, shoulder point and internal angle of eyes) did not differed significant (F=0.167 at p =0.847): without IR heating system, differences were observed (F= 8.905 at p =0.000). Moreover, in low BCS’s animals, below -10°C environmental temperature, in absence of IR heating and if less fiber was present in the diet, low critical temperature signs were observed. In conclusion the hoop structure can be used successfully in horses even when outside temperatures are below low critical temperature of horses if certain conditions are assigned such as: water at 10-15°C, additional hay for fiber, with or without infrared heating.