Horse Trailering Success Research has proved that horses experience significant stress associated with transport. Dr. Carolyn Stull, a researcher with University of California, has defined stress as “…adverse effects in the environment or management system which force changes in an animal’s physiology or behavior to avoid physiological malfunctioning, thus assisting the animal in coping with its environment.” Dr. Stull measured horses’ responses to challenges in their immediate environment by 22 Spring 2017 • Haflinger Horse
measuring physiological, biochemical, immunological, anatomical and behavioral parameters. According to Dr. Stull, “…. identifying and minimizing stressful situations allows for greater well-being, health and reproductive efficiency of the horse as well as protecting its performance and economic potential.”
estimated to be between -1°C and 24°C (30-75°F). Horses can comfortably adjust to temperatures in this zone by altering hair coat, sweating, homeothermy, constricting or dilating blood vessels, or changing postures or behavior. When temperatures fall below this range, the Lower Critical Temperature (LCT), the horse must divert food enerCold or heat stress will affect the gy formerly used for performance health of younger animals more or growth to producing metabolic than mature, healthy horses. The heat. Add in factors such as wind thermal comfort range for horses is and precipitation and this animal
