Abstract
Horses respond to chronic cold exposure by acclimatization or habituation. Acclimatized, adult horses have a lower critical temperature (LCT) of −15°C. Yearling horses have a LCT of −11°C if fed ad lib or 0°C if limit fed energy for moderate growth. Newborns have a LCT around 20°C. Horses, unlike cattle, do not respond to chronic cold exposure by increasing thyroid hormone secretion. Thyroid hormone secretion responds more to a lengthening photoperiod. Yet, in newborns, thyroid hormones are likely thermogenic. Metabolic rates increase by 70% above resting in severely cold stressed horses. Maintenance digestible energy (DE) intakes should be increased 2.5% per Celsius degree decrease in effective ambient temperature for adult horses and by 1.3% per degree decrease for growing horses fed for moderate gain at temperatures below LCT.
Published Version
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