## 1 Introduction  
Any object with a temperature above absolute zero emits radiant energy, and the total emitted power is proportional to the fourth power of the object's absolute temperature [1]. This fundamental principle of radiative heat transfer, which relates the detected power to an object's temperature, forms the foundation of modern infrared thermography [1, 2]. Thermography is a non-invasive method for detecting the early signs of disease, confirming physical exam findings, and monitoring treatment progress by measuring heat radiated from the skin's surface [3, 4]. Thermographic imaging has been used in human and equine medicine since the 1960s [5]. In human medicine, it is applied in breast cancer screening, osteoarthritis assessment, burn healing monitoring, and muscle injury evaluation [5; 6]. In equine medicine, it assists in the early detection of laminitis, tendon and ligament injuries, palmar foot pain, and thoracolumbar pain [1; 7; 8]. In addition to visual inspection, thermographic analysis software can process thermograms to extract valuable temperature data, such as the mean temperature within specified regions of interest [1]. Behavioral issues in horses can emerge during housing, handling, riding, and/or groundwork [9]. During exercise, horses generate heat from their working muscles and, under certain conditions, this heat can accumulate in the body [10; 11]. The main mechanisms for controlling body temperature are conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. In hot and humid environments, horses engaging in intense exercise may produce more heat than they can effectively dissipate [11]. An excess of heat, in the absence of cooling methods, can lead to exertional heat illness (EHI), causing endotoxemia, neuronal injury, and/or heat stroke [12; 13]. Endotoxemia is a significant risk factor for the onset of acute laminitis in horses undergoing hospitalization for medical or surgical conditions [14]. Acute laminitis is a frequent, debilitating complication of a systemic disease in horses and may occur even after the resolution of the primary condition, often impairing the animal's ability to perform its intended role and, in severe cases, necessitating euthanasia [12; 15]. Since [PERSON] first implemented the treadmill for equine studies, it has become an essential instrument in equine research [16]. It facilitates controlled indoor experiments under standardized conditions, allowing for the precise regulation of temperature, wind, moisture, and locomotion speed [16; 17; 18]. Moreover, the treadmill enables the use of advanced measurement technologies, permitting highly accurate analyses of equine gaits [19; 20]. However, to establish its validity as a model for overground locomotion, it is necessary to systematically quantify potential discrepancies between treadmill and overground movement [21]. While exertional heat illness (EHI) may develop under lower ambient temperatures and during brief exercise durations, the likelihood of its occurrence markedly increases with prolonged physical exertion [13; 22]. This risk is particularly pronounced in hot and humid environments, where physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms in horses become compromised [22]. Several authors have recommended methods for preventing EHI and treating laminitis, aiming to cool the extremities of horses [12; 23; 24]. [PERSON] [25] suggested cryotherapy as a potentially effective preventive strategy for acute laminitis. Various techniques are utilized to cool equine distal limbs, including cryotherapy, ice boots, and cold therapy packs [24; 26]. Although cryotherapy studies utilizing wet application methods have not reported any complications, there are case reports indicating the occurrence of cellulitis, localized tissue necrosis, and the softening of the hood wall, particularly in horses with concurrent systemic conditions [24; 27]. Horses treated with prophylactic digital cryotherapy (ICE) exhibited significantly less lameness and their histological scores were markedly improved compared to untreated feet [28].