Hästens, Equus caballus, termiska komfort - hur kan djurskyddskontrollanter bedöma hästens välfärd?
This review paper summaries scientific research about horse thermoregulation and the consequences of using a blanket. Horse owners put blankets on their horses to protect them when they are clipped, to protect them from bugs, to keep them clean and so on. This can have consequences for the horse which their owners might be unaware of. I have tried to answer following questions by searching the available scientific literature;
? How can the horse maintain thermoregulation?
? Is there a risk of suffering when horses wear a blanket?
? Is there a risk of suffering when horses do not wear a blanket?
? How can animal inspectors estimate the welfare of horses when they wear or do not wear a blanket?
My result shows that horses who wear a blanket have an increased risk of becoming overheated, develop a chafing, have an increased exposure hazard and have a restrained natural behaviour. Horses who don?t wear a blanket can become hypothermic, insect attacked and have an extra strain on their thermoregulation when training in the wintertime if they have an intact fur.