Why does daily temperature monitoring matter at equine events?

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At FEI events, every horse's temperature is taken twice a day and logged in the FEI HorseApp, a biosecurity requirement under the FEI Veterinary Regulations 2023, not a suggestion. Temperature monitoring at events addresses two distinct threats at once: infectious disease such as EHV-1, and heat stress on the day, where air temperature alone tells you very little and WBGT tells you far more.

Why is temperature monitoring mandatory at FEI events?
What is a normal temperature for a horse?
How do you take and record a horse's temperature correctly?
Why isn't air temperature enough to judge heat risk at an event?
What do the WBGT action levels mean for event organisers?
What are the signs of heat stress in a horse, and which horses are most at risk?
How can Equine Salt Therapy support horse welfare at events and in training?
Key Takeaways
References

Why is temperature monitoring mandatory at FEI events?

Temperature monitoring is mandatory at FEI events because it is the first line of biosecurity defence against infectious disease outbreaks, particularly EHV-1. The FEI requires two daily temperature recordings in the FEI HorseApp for the three days before arrival at an event and every day while stabled at the event, according to Riders House.

The rule sits under the FEI Veterinary Regulations 2023 and exists to detect diseases such as EHV-1 early, before clinical signs become obvious. According to the FEI, the requirement is a formal veterinary regulation, not an administrative preference. On arrival at an FEI event, the event veterinarian checks the horse's temperature records.

A temperature over 38.5°C may trigger isolation and additional checks. For Australian riders heading to international competition, the paperwork starts at home, three days out from departure. The monitoring window begins before the horse leaves the property, which means the home stable routine must include twice-daily readings that travel with the horse.

What is a normal temperature for a horse?

A healthy adult horse maintains a body temperature between 37.5 and 38.5°C within a thermoneutral zone of roughly 5 to 25°C, according to a literature review published in PMC. A temperature above 101.5°F (38.6°C) usually indicates a fever, according to Avoca Park.

Rectal temperature is the most commonly used method for monitoring body temperature in horses. Technique matters: digital thermometers should be inserted about 5cm into the rectum and held for 30 seconds to 1 minute, while mercury thermometers need at least 3 minutes for an accurate reading. Percutaneous thermal sensing microchips and infrared thermometry are being studied as alternatives, but rectal thermometry remains the standard in practice and at events.

How do you take and record a horse’s temperature correctly?

Taking a horse's temperature correctly starts with safe restraint, a lubricated thermometer, insertion of approximately 5cm into the rectum, and holding the thermometer for the correct time before reading and logging the result immediately. Digital thermometers need 30 seconds to 1 minute, while mercury thermometers require at least 3 minutes, according to Avoca Park.

Record the temperature twice daily at consistent times, and keep the log with the horse's travel documents. At FEI events, the record goes into the FEI HorseApp, which is the official record, not a notebook, according to the FEI. Establish a baseline at home so an elevated reading at an event means something. Write down the time of each reading, because event veterinarians will ask for it.

Why isn’t air temperature enough to judge heat risk at an event?

Air temperature alone is not enough to judge heat risk at an event because it does not account for humidity, wind speed, or cloud cover. Weather apps and forecasts typically report air temperature only, which is inadequate for assessing heat risk to horses or people, according to Pony Club Australia.

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) combines air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover into a single heat stress measure. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology publishes daily WBGT values for regional locations, so organisers and riders can use them directly. During high WBGT conditions, strenuous exercise lasting more than six minutes is high risk for horses, according to Pony Club Australia.

What do the WBGT action levels mean for event organisers?

The WBGT action levels give event organisers a clear decision framework for heat risk on the day. Pony Club Australia's thresholds start below 28, which is LOW risk, where activities may proceed with good animal welfare practices, according to Pony Club Australia.

A WBGT of 28 to 30 is MODERATE risk, and shade should be used where possible. A WBGT of 30 to 33 is HIGH risk, and veterinary advice should be sought before proceeding. Above 33 is EXTREME risk, and events must be delayed, postponed, or cancelled. For committees, stewards, and club officials who make the call on the day, these thresholds convert a vague sense of heat into an actionable limit.

What are the signs of heat stress in a horse, and which horses are most at risk?

The signs of heat stress in a horse include an elevated temperature 30 minutes after exercise, rapid shallow breathing with flared nostrils, poor recovery, dehydration, agitation or distress, and either excessive sweating or no sweating at all, according to Pony Club Australia.

Higher-risk horses include those transported in poorly ventilated floats, "dry coated" horses that do not sweat freely, excitable temperaments, unacclimatised horses, and those that are unfit or overweight. Prolonged or severe heat stress can lead to anhidrosis, heat stroke, or brain damage, according to PMC. The cooling response is "wet and walk" in shaded, well-ventilated areas, iced water by bucket or sponge if heat affected, and free access to drinking water at ambient temperature. Recovery is measured, not assumed: re-check temperature after exercise.

How can Equine Salt Therapy support horse welfare at events and in training?

Equine Salt Therapy supports horse welfare at events and in training through two areas: recovery and respiratory wellbeing. The patented dry salt aerosol delivery system from Equine Salt Therapy creates a microclimate that reduces the pharmaceutical footprint of training centres and the reliance on medically important antibiotics.

The treatment takes fifteen minutes and is recommended over three consecutive days. It is natural, non-invasive, and provides a dual solution to common day-to-day horse complaints. For investors, veterinarians, and stud farms, Licensed Business Opportunities and Master Licenses are available for Equine, Poultry, Swine, and Companion Animals, with territories sold under License and Master Licenses available under US Patent; 11,497,593 & CA 3019046, priced from $110,000 to $1,000,000. Equine Salt Therapy is a support tool alongside veterinary care, not a replacement for temperature monitoring.

Key Takeaways

At FEI events, horses' temperatures must be recorded twice daily in the FEI HorseApp for the three days before arrival and every day stabled at the event.
A healthy adult horse sits between 37.5 and 38.5°C; anything above 38.6°C usually indicates a fever.
Rectal thermometry remains the standard, with digital thermometers inserted about 5cm and held 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Air temperature alone is not a heat risk measure; WBGT combines temperature, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover.
Pony Club Australia's WBGT thresholds run from LOW below 28 to EXTREME above 33, where events must be delayed, postponed, or cancelled.
Signs of heat stress include an elevated temperature 30 minutes after exercise, rapid shallow breathing, poor recovery, and either excessive sweating or none at all.
Equine Salt Therapy's fifteen-minute dry salt aerosol treatment is recommended over three consecutive days and supports recovery and wellbeing alongside routine temperature monitoring.