Thermal exchange and physiological variables of remmants of the Nordestino horse breed before and after exercise

Resumo

The aim of this study was to analyse the physiological parameters and heat exchange of horses remnants of the Nordestino Horse breed used in brazilian cattle-catching, morning (before) and afternoon (after) exercise.  The 20 castrated males with teeth classified as “full mouth” were evaluated. The horses were assessed for their phenotype and morphometric measurements were taken to identify whether the animals were remnants of the Nordestino horse breed. The place where you encourage you to perform the exercise was evaluated in terms of air temperature, relative humidity and black globe temperature, to calculate the thermal comfort index (TCI) and the humidity temperature index (HTI). At air temperature (P<0.0001), relative humidity (P<0.001), black globe temperature (P=0.0260), thermal comfort index (P=0.0010) and humidity temperature index (P=0.0035) there was a significant difference morning (before) and afternoon (after) the exercise. According to the TCI value, it can be seen that the thermoregulatory system was activated before and after exercise. From the thermal gradient (surface temperature-air temperature), the animal dissipated more heat after exercise than stored. These animals proved to be resistant and adapted to the semi-arid climate, reinforcing the adaptive qualities of the local genetic resource.