Marlin D J, Schroter R C, White S L, Maykuth P, Matthesen G, Mills P C, Waran N, Harris P
Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2001 Jul;33(4):371-9. doi: 10.2746/042516401776249507.
The aims of the present field-based study were to investigate changes in fit horses undergoing acclimatisation to a hot humid environment and to provide data on which to base recommendations for safe transport and acclimatisation. Six horses (age 7-12 years) were flown from Europe to Atlanta and underwent a 16 day period of acclimatisation. Exercise conditions during acclimatisation (wet bulb globe temperature index 27.6+/-0.0 [mean +/- s.e.]) were more thermally stressful compared with the European climate from which the horses had come (22.0+/-1.8, P<0.001). Following the flight, weight loss was 4.1+/-0.8% bodyweight and took around 7 days to recover. Water intake during the day was significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with night during acclimatisation. Daily mean exercise duration was 72+/-12 min and the majority of work was performed with a heart rate below 120 beats/min. Respiratory rate (fR) was increased (P<0.05) throughout acclimatisation compared with in Europe, but resting morning (AM) and evening (PM) rectal temperature (TREC), heart rate (fC) and plasma volume were unchanged. White blood cell (WBC) count was significantly increased at AM compared with in Europe on Days 4 and 10 of acclimatisation (P<0.01), but was not different by Day 16. In conclusion, horses exposed to hot humid environmental conditions without prior acclimatisation are able to accommodate these stresses and, with appropriate management, remain fit and clinically healthy, without significant risk of heat illness or heat-related disorders, provided they are allowed sufficient time to recover from transport, acclimatisation is undertaken gradually and they are monitored appropriately.
本实地研究的目的是调查适应炎热潮湿环境的健康马匹的变化情况，并提供数据，以便为安全运输和适应环境的建议提供依据。六匹马（年龄7至12岁）从欧洲空运至亚特兰大，并经历了16天的适应期。与马匹原来所在的欧洲气候相比，适应期的运动条件（湿球黑球温度指数为27.6±0.0 [平均值±标准误]）热应激更大（22.0±1.8，P<0.001）。飞行后，体重减轻了4.1±0.8%，大约需要7天才能恢复。适应期白天的饮水量与夜间相比显著增加（P<0.05）。每日平均运动时长为72±12分钟，大部分运动时的心率低于120次/分钟。与在欧洲时相比，整个适应期的呼吸频率（fR）有所增加（P<0.05），但早晨（AM）和傍晚（PM）的静息直肠温度（TREC）、心率（fC）和血浆量没有变化。适应期第4天和第10天早晨的白细胞（WBC）计数与在欧洲时相比显著增加（P<0.01），但到第16天没有差异。总之，未经预先适应就暴露于炎热潮湿环境条件下的马匹能够适应这些应激，并且在适当管理下，保持健康且临床状况良好，没有中暑或与热相关疾病的重大风险，前提是允许它们有足够的时间从运输中恢复，逐渐进行适应，并对其进行适当监测。
