An investigation into the use of infrared thermography as a tool to assess the physiological stress response in the horse

The experiments reported in this thesis investigated the use of temperature measurement using infrared thermography (IRT) as an objective, non-invasive method to identify the physiological stress response in the horse. The primary area of investigation was the eye area within the medial posterior palpebral border of the lower eyelid and the lacrimal caruncle as in existing work in other species. The application of these findings to horse management and welfare was discussed. Horses were exposed to potentially stressful situations that were acute (<20 seconds), short term (ten minutes) and long term or repetitive (one week) in duration. Temperature was measured using IRT in addition to measurement of salivary cortisol, faecal corticosterone and behavioural assessment, all of which are currently accepted measures of the stress response. IRT was shown to be an unsuitable method to assess acute stress in the horse due to the species specific behavioural response of flight. Rapid evasive movement of the horse meant that recording temperature using a thermal camera was difficult. A modified experimental design may have made it possible to capture the thermal response to acute stress however restraint of the horse would have been stressful in itself and confounded results.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Yarnell, K

Language dc:language

en