Conference noted::equitation

460.0. "Horses and Wind Chill" by CHGV04::LEECH (DTN:421-5623 Chicago, Ill. RLO) Mon Dec 14 1987 18:44

    From THE BLOOD-HORSE  dated December 12, 1987 page 7560.
    
    
    WIND CHILL
    
    by Kimberly S. Herbert
    
    
    	When horsemen brave the elements to work with horses in the
    winter, the temperature outside might feel like it is 40 below.
    That low temperature is a possibility in many areas where horses
    are raised if you determine temperature by using the wind chill
    factor.  When the air temperature is minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit,
    and the wind speed is 10 miles per hour, the wind chill is 40 below.
    
    	Wind chill measures the degree of physical discomfortand stree
    from combined cold and wind, according to the National Weather Service.
    Proper attire, including layered, loose clothing, hats, and gloves,
    will protect horsemen who have to work outside in the bitter cold.
    
    	The determination of wind chill was developed in 1941 and is
    based on the physiological studies of the rate of heat loss for
    various combinations of ambient temperature and wind speed.
    
    	The wind chill equals the air temperature when wind speed is
    four miles per hour or less.  At higher wind speeds, the wind chill
    is lower that the air temperature and measures the increased rate
    of heat loss from the body under windy conditions.
    
    	The effect of wind chill depends to a large extent on the amount
    of clothing and other protection worn, as well as age, health, and
    body characteristics.  As wind chill lowers the temperature, the
    risk of hypothermiaand frostbite increases.  Wind chills below zero
    degrees Fahrenheit indicate a definite risk of frostbite or other
    injury to exposed flesh.   
    
    	Prolonged exposure at wind chills below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit
    can be very dangerous, and possibly life-threatening, unless special
    protective efforts are taken.  Horsemen should be aware of the wind
    chill before undertaking outside work, and try to shorten exposure
    time.
    
    
    			WIND CHILL TABLE
    
    			AIR TEMPERATURE (FAHRENHEIT)
    
    	35  30   25   20   15   10   5  0  -5  -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

  W  4  35  30   25   20   15   10    5    0   -5  -10  -15  -20  -25  
  I  5	32  27   22   16   11    6    0   -5  -10  -15  -21  -26  -31  
  N 10	22  16   10    3   -3   -9  -15  -22  -27  -34  -40  -46  -52  
  D 15	16   9    2   -5  -11  -18  -25  -31  -38  -45  -51  -58  -65 
    20  12   4   -3  -10  -17  -24  -31  -39  -39  -46  -53  -60  -67  
  S 25   8   1   -7  -15  -22  -29  -36  -44  -51  -59  -66  -74  -81 
  P 30   6  -2  -10  -18  -25  -33  -41  -49  -56  -64  -71  -79  -86 
  E 35   4  -4  -12  -20  -27  -35  -43  -52  -58  -67  -74  -82  -89 
  E 40   3  -5  -13  -21  -29  -37  -45  -53  -60  -69  -76  -84  -92 
  D 45	 2  -6  -14  -22  -30  -38  -46  -54  -62  -70  -78  -85  -93

	Regarding cold weather riding, the trainer at our barn won't give
	lessons, even in the indoor, if the temp is freezing or below. She
	says it's bad for the horses to work then. I have ridden outside
	at those temps but never for long or faster than a trot. I don't
	really know if it's a problem or not. liesl

    	This isn't very scientific,but ranch horses out here (Colorado)
    have to work nearly every day,no matter how cold,and many of them
    live to a ripe,healthy old age. I've used my gelding in sub zero
    weather in past years,and he's 22 going on 5. Maybe we've just been
    lucky.
    
    	George
    

    RE: .4
    
    Your correct in some respects, if the horse is healthy, a good winter
    coat of hair, etc.. I have been able to work my gelding in colder
    weather, mostly indoors, if he does work up a sweat, I have to place
    a blanket on him. That's all he needs to do is get a chill & become
    sick.
    Above all else, use common sense!!!
    Horses are stronger than you think in enduring the elements, etc..
    
                          Steve
    

    Some people appear to have forgotten that horses evolved in the plains
    of Central Asia (=Siberia) and some breeds still exist in the wild
    there. While some precautions have to be taken in cold weather,
    there is absolutely no reason to give up riding in the cold weather.
    
    Horses can and do get frostbite, usually first on the tips of their
    ears. This is one reason why horses need shelter form the winter wind.
    Very cold air can have a bad affect on the lungs of a horse that is
    working (and therefore breathing) heavily. A sweating horse will feel
    the wind chill and must be blanketed and walked until dry. Other than
    taking care of the sweating horse, the temperature has to fall below
    zero Farenheit before serious problems occur. Traditional loggers
    use teams of horses all through the winter to skid logs out of the
    northern forests when the ground is frozen and snow covered. Usually
    the horses can keep going, given appropriate care, long after the
    machinery has frozen up!
    
    One indirect problem that can easily occur is dehydration. A horse
    can't drink if the water is frozen. Always make sure that your horse
    has enough to drink during freezing weather. I make sure of this
    by giving my horse a bucket of tepid to warm water every time I
    see him. 

    So hands up all of you who have put three blankets on your horse
    and kept him in his stall. This is probably less healthy than letting
    him cope with the cold on his own.