THE EFFECT OF TENDON BOOTS ON THE SKIN
TEMPERATURE OF THE EQUINE FRONT LIMB
Gillian Martindale, Equine-Librium College; Ann Carstens, University of Pretoria, BVSc, MS, MMedVet (Large Animal
Surgery), MMedVet (Diagnostic Imaging), Dipl ECVDI, DTE, PhD
RESEARCH ABSTRACT
Abstract
Reasons for performing study: To determine the effect of tendon boots on
skin temperature of palmar metacarpus three (McTemp) of the horse, since
skin temperature has been reported to be indicative of superficial digital flexor
tendon core (SDFT) temperature (Wilson et al. 1994).
Objectives: To determine McTemp of the equine forelimb on booted and nonbooted limbs, at rest and post-exercise and determine rate of skin cooling
after exercise.
Study Design and Method: Part 1: 18 Thoroughbreds’ McTemps were
measured using a Benetech GM300 Infrared thermometera before and one
hour after stabling, with one forelimb booted and the other not. Part 2: 14
Thoroughbreds’ McTemps were measured before and after 20 minutes
lungeing at a trot, with one forelimb booted and the other bare; 1 minute post
cessation of exercise McTemp was again measured. Data were evaluated
using paired t-tests, with significance set at P<0.05.
Results: Average McTemp of non-booted and booted legs is given in the
table below:
Average palmar metacarpal skin temperature in °C
stabled (n=18)
non-booted
booted
start
1 hour
start
1 hour
26.7 ± 3.7
29.5 ± 2.5
26.2± 3.7
30.8 ± 1.8
exercised (n=14)
non-booted
pre20
min
post
25.7 ± 5.9
30.8 ± 5.3
booted
pre25.4 ± 6.3
20
min
post
32.8 ± 5.3
The non-booted and booted legs cooled by 3 - 4 0C within 60 seconds of
termination of exercise. The skin temperature of the booted leg was
significantly higher than that of the non-booted legs both in the stable and
immediately post-exercise (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The average skin temperature of the booted legs was higher
than non-booted but did not reach the 40°C level which could be indicative of
overheating of the SDFT.
Reference:
Wilson AM; Goodship AE (1994) Exercised-induced hyperthermia as a possible mechanism for tendon degeneration.
Journal of Biomechanics 27:899-905.
There is no conflict of interest for any of the authors.
a
Shenzhen Jumaoyuan Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Floor 6, Bld. G, No. 1 Guanlong Industrial Zone, Xili Town,
Nanshan District, Shenzhen city, Guangdong province, 518055, China
Gillian Martindale: cell phone: 0611109158 email: [email protected]
Ann Carstens: cell phone: 0827321709; e-mail address: [email protected]
15-‐18
February
2016
East
London
Convention
Centre,
East
London,
South
Africa
110