Differences in Unit Area Sweating Rate among Different Areas of the Body in Exercising Horses

The objective of this preliminary study, conducted before a study to determine the total sweating rate (SR) of a horse during exercise, was to estimate the differences in the SR through unit area among different areas of the body of a horse during exercise, and to determine the existence of correlations, if any, among the values. The unit area sweating rate on the neck, shoulders, back, loins and flanks was monitored using filter paper layers fitted within a plastic capsule. The values of the SR through unit area on the neck and shoulders were found to be higher than those in other areas of the body. The varying sweat rates in different areas of the body indicates that it is difficult to estimate the total SR of an exercising horse by multiplying the SR through unit area in one area of the body by the total body surface area. On the other hand, the SR through unit area on the neck was correlated significantly with that in other areas of the body, suggesting the potential possibility of estimating the total SR from the SR through unit area determined on the neck region. In addition, measurement of the SR on the neck was also thought to be appropriate from the point of view of ensuring absence of interference with the rider.