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How to Interpret the Heat-Stress Chart

How to Use: Check temperature (Vertical Left [OC] or Right [OF]) against Relative Humidity (Horizontal Base) and follow the appropriate colour bar to Upper Horizontal values to read the Heat-Stress Score.

The Heat-Stress Index is the sum of the environmental temperature (OC) and Relative Humidity. As this score increases, the ability of a horse to cool itself becomes more difficult. Heat-Stress scores of less than 80 require no special precautions. Above a scores of 90, a horse must evaporate fluids (sweat or water) to maintain a normal body temperature. At 100, sweating is insufficient and cold water layering must also be used on the horse. Over 110 ice water layering and ice will be necessary to cool the exercising horse. At scores above 115, serious consideration should be given to cancelling all exercise. Note the irregularity that occurs when the Temperature is greater than 20OC and the Relative Humidity is more than 3 times the temperature.

©1998 BioMedEx