Horses have sophisticated thermoregulation mechanisms but face welfare challenges in temperature extremes. Evidence-based management of heat and cold stress protects equine welfare across climatic conditions.
Thermoregulation welfare for horses is an underappreciated area where owner decisions significantly affect equine wellbeing. Summer heat management requires ensuring continuous water access, providing shade, scheduling exercise for early morning or evening, and recognizing the signs of heat stress (rapid breathing, excessive sweating, weakness). Competition in high temperature-humidity conditions requires pre-cooling protocols and careful monitoring that is often compromised by competitive pressure. Winter management involves nuanced decisions about rugging: over-rugging clipped horses in mild conditions can impair natural thermoregulation, while leaving unclipped horses without shelter in genuine cold compromises their welfare through the energy cost of thermoregulation. Reading the individual horse's condition rather than applying fixed temperature rules produces better welfare outcomes.