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Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses
Author(s) -
CARROLL C. L.,
HUNTINGTON P. J.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01451.x
Subject(s) - withers , mathematics , girth (graph theory) , body weight , zoology , nomogram , statistics , veterinary medicine , medicine , biology , combinatorics
Summary Three hundred and seventy two horses of varying breeds, height and fatness were weighed and measured for height at the withers. They were assessed for condition score by adaptation of a previously published method. The heart girth and length of 281 of the horses were also measured. Weight of horses was highly correlated (P < 0.001) with height (r 2 =0.62), condition score (r 2 =0.22) and girth 2 × length (r 2 =0.90). Nomograms were constructed to predict weight from height and condition score, and girth and length measurements. Weight can also be accurately estimated from the formula:‐ The average value of Y' in this experiment was 11900 and this estimated weight with more accuracy than some previously published values of ‘Y’. Racing Thoroughbred horses were found to be significantly lighter than non‐racing Thoroughbreds of the same height and condition score. The method of assessment of condition score was shown to be repeatable between different operators with varying degrees of experience.