Evaluation of safety and the welfare of the horse in the use of a saddle pad with paraffin-oil inserts during ridden exercise

Abstract

Recent advancements have led to the development of various cooling devices for humans, specifically designed to lower systemic temperatures during sporting activities. It appears that wearable devices, featuring cooling inserts, may mitigate heat stress and enhance performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety of a saddle pad with a paraffin oil cooling insert and its effects on physiological and behavioural parameters of ridden horses during a 20-min flatwork trial. Seven horses in active training for show jumping at amateur level underwent two training sessions, one using a standard saddle pad and one using the cooling system. During each trial, the ambient temperature and humidity were recorded in real-time. Physiological parameters were monitored, including heart rate during exercise, while behaviour assessment was conducted using a ridden ethogram. Thermographic imaging was used to evaluate the surface temperature distribution beneath the saddle before and after exercise. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to investigate the differences in the data with (OIL TRIAL) and without (STANDARD TRIAL) the cooling saddle pad. No significant differences were observed in heart rate between the two trials. Ethogram scores did not exceed the threshold for musculoskeletal pain, and thermographic images revealed similar thermal patterns that indicated no alteration in pressure between trials. The prototype saddle pad with paraffin oil insert appears safe and did not cause discomfort.