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Seasonal and interbreed variation in the thermoregulatory capacity of equine pelage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

Z. Fuller
Affiliation:
School of Biological & Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF UK Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9SB UK
C. McG. Argo
Affiliation:
School of Biological & Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF UK
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Extract

The adaptation of horses (Equus caballus) to diverse environments throughout their range (e.g. Iceland and Arabia) has given rise to numerous phenotypically distinct breeds, many of which are currently maintained within the UK for sporting or leisure purposes. The welfare (energy balance) of outwintered horses has been associated with the ability to minimise heat loss by the growth of deep insulative pelage (Cymbaluk, 1994). Identification of breeds acclimated to UK conditions but retaining pelage adaptations appropriate to their environment of origin may facilitate management.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2000

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References

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