Monitoring the body temperature of animals is important for assessing the physiological state and adaptation to temperature stress. Thermal imaging thermography is a non-invasive method that allows remote assessment of body surface temperature. Its indications may depend on the length, density and color of the coat. The color of the hair can affect the ability to reflect or absorb solar radiation, which is directly related to the heat load on the body. The Yakut horse, which is highly adaptable to extreme climatic conditions, is a promising model for studying thermoregulation. The aim of the research was to identify differences in the surface body temperature of Yakut horses of different colors using thermal imaging thermography. The study was conducted on three mares (gray, black, and piebald) in natural pasture conditions at a temperature of 23 оС, cloudless weather, and the absence of blood-sucking insects. At the same rectal temperature (38.6 оС), the average surface body temperature was: the gray mare has 20.8 оС, the piebald mare has 25.8 оС, and the black mare has 32.7 оС. The maximum temperature is recorded in the dark areas of the body of a black mare (up to 45.4 оС). In the piebald mare, the difference between pigmented and unpigmented areas reached 8.2 оС. It can be concluded that a light color reflects solar radiation more effectively, reducing the heating of the body surface. The results obtained are important for improving breeding and monitoring the adaptive qualities of the Yakut breed.

Vladimirov Leonid N., Machakhtyrova Varvara A., Sleptsova Vasilena V., Pavlova Narya I., Alekseev Vladislav A.

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