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Topic:Body Condition Score
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a numerical system used to assess the amount of fat on a horse's body. It provides an estimate of a horse's overall body fat and is used to evaluate nutritional status and health. The BCS system typically ranges from 1 to 9, with 1 indicating an extremely emaciated horse and 9 representing an extremely obese horse. This scoring method involves a visual and tactile assessment of specific areas on the horse, such as the neck, withers, ribs, and tailhead. Accurate BCS evaluation helps in the management of feeding programs and in identifying potential health issues related to undernutrition or overnutrition. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodology, application, and implications of Body Condition Scoring in equine management and health assessment.
The Equine Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Impacts of Age and Obesity. Gastrointestinal microbial communities are increasingly being implicated in host susceptibilities to nutritional/metabolic diseases; such conditions are more prevalent in obese and/or older horses. This controlled study evaluated associations between host-phenotype and the fecal microbiome / metabolome. Thirty-five, Welsh Mountain pony mares were studied across 2 years (Controls, = 6/year, 5-15 years, Body Condition Score (BCS) 4.5-6/9; Obese, = 6/year, 5-15 years, BCS > 7/9; Aged, = 6 Year 1; = 5 Year 2, ≥19 years old). Animals were individually fed the same hay to maintenance (2% bo...
Influence of dietary restriction and low-intensity exercise on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in obese equids. The importance of including exercise with dietary modification for the management of obese equids is not clearly understood. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a practical low-intensity exercise regimen, in addition to dietary restriction, on indices of insulin sensitivity (SI) and plasma adipokine concentrations in obese equids. Methods: Twenty-four obese (body condition score [BCS] ≥ 7/9) horses and ponies. Methods: Over a 12-week period, animals received either dietary restriction only (DIET) or dietary restriction plus low-intensity exercise (DIET+EX). All animals were provided wit...
Physical response of dogs supplemented with fish oil during a treadmill training programme. The rise in popularity of dog sports competitions has led to the evaluation of improvements in dog physical performance. The potential benefit of dietary supplementation with fish oil (FO) on the physical performance of human beings and horses has been reported. However, such effect has not been studied in dogs. We therefore evaluated the effect of FO dietary supplementation on heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and thigh circumference (TC) in dogs during aerobic treadmill training, and further determined HR response and blood lactate (BL) concentration during an incremental exercise tes...
Factors associated with survival, laminitis and insulin dysregulation in horses diagnosed with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a commonly described endocrine disorder in higher latitudes of the Northern hemisphere but the description of the disease at lower latitudes and in the Southern hemisphere is limited. Objective: Document the clinical features of PPID at different Australian latitudes and climates, and investigate factors associated with survival, laminitis and insulin dysregulation (ID). Methods: Retrospective study of 274 equids from eight institutions across Australia. Methods: A diagnosis of PPID was based on endogenous ACTH, overnight dexamethasone suppressio...
Ex vivo radiocontrast description of the caudal epigastric arteries in horses. To determine the location of the deep and superficial caudal epigastric arteries in relation to 3 midline positions and the relationship between the location of these arteries, body circumference, and body condition score. Methods: Descriptive anatomical study. Methods: Nine horses, aged 1-28 years (mean 10.61 ± 8.89 SD). Methods: Body condition score and body circumference were measured prior to euthanasia. Angiographic studies of the deep and superficial caudal epigastric arteries were performed on resected abdominal walls. The distances between the deep and the superficial caudal epiga...
Cross-sectional study on gastro-intestinal parasites of equids in South-western Ethiopia. A cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma town from October 2010 to March 2011 with the objective of determining the status of intestinal nematode parasites of equids, and the association of different variables with infection rate. To address this, a total of 400 equids; donkeys (n = 29), horses (n = 317) and mules (n = 54) were used in this study and based on the coprological examination to identify parasite eggs, three species of nematodes were identified with an overall prevalence of 72.25%. A prevalence of 63.25%, 16.50%, 4.25%, and 10.75% were identified for Strongyles, ,...
Microbiome and Blood Analyte Differences Point to Community and Metabolic Signatures in Lean and Obese Horses. Due to modern management practices and the availability of energy dense feeds, obesity is a serious and increasingly common health problem for horses. Equine obesity is linked to insulin resistance and exacerbation of inflammatory issues such as osteoarthritis and laminitis. While the gut microbiome is thought to play a part in metabolic status in horses, bacterial communities associated with obesity have yet to be described. Here we report differences in metabolic factors in the blood of obese, normal and lean horses correlated with differences in gut microbiome composition. We report that ob...
[Nutrition of horses with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (“Cushing’s syndrome”) treated with pergolid – A field study]. The nutritional status of 36 patients with equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) under pergolide treatment was investigated. Methods: The body condi tion score (BCS) and feeding were determined at the beginning of the study and after 60 and 120 days. Sampled blood for control of pergolid therapy were used for insulin and glucose measurement. A standardized questionnaire regarding the symptoms of the disease, including hypertrichosis and weight change, was completed by the owners. Results: The mean BCS (scale of 1 = cachexia to 9 = grossly obese) was 3.1 ± 0.8 (large horses 2.7 ...
Case-control study of risk factors for pasture-and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis in North American horses. OBJECTIVE To investigate risk factors for the development of pasture- and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis (PEAL) in horses and ponies in North America. DESIGN Case-control study. ANIMALS 199 horses with incident cases of PEAL and 351 horses from 2 control populations (healthy horses [n = 198] and horses with lameness not caused by laminitis [153]) that were evaluated in North America between January 2012 and December 2015 by veterinarian members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. PROCEDURES North American members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners were co...
Use of principle component analysis to quantitatively score the equine metabolic syndrome phenotype in an Arabian horse population. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), like human metabolic syndrome, comprises a collection of clinical signs related to obesity, insulin dysregulation and susceptibility to secondary inflammatory disease. Although the secondary conditions resulting from EMS can be life-threatening, diagnosis is not straightforward and often complicated by the presence of other concurrent conditions like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). In order to better characterize EMS, we sought to describe the variation within, and correlations between, typical physical and endocrine parameters for EMS. Utilizing ...
Determination of body proportion factor in draft horses for the use of bioimpedance spectroscopy. Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) instantly assesses body composition to monitor the effects of diet, competition, and illness, though it requires a body proportion factor (Kb). This study aimed to validate a draft horse-specific Kb. The calculated Kb was 1.42, resulting in significantly lower body composition values, with the exception of fat mass. Une spectroscopie de bio-impédance bioélectrique (SBB) évalue instantanément la composition corporelle pour surveiller les effets de la diète, de la compétition et de la maladie, même si elle exige un facteur de proportion corporel...
Effect of Supplementation of Sorghum Silage in Weanling Fillies During the Dry Period in Brazil. Young horses reach nearly 90% of their final height in the first year of life. However, to achieve their genetic potential, it is necessary to receive adequate nutrition during this period of rapid growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of sorghum silage during a period of limited pasture forage availability, on the body development, and health of Mangalarga Marchador (MM) weanling fillies. Fourteen healthy MM 6-month-old fillies were randomly assigned to one of two groups: GS (consuming silage) and GH (consuming grass hay (Cynodon spp) in addition to...
Exploring relationships between body condition score, body fat, activity level and inflammatory biomarkers. Obesity is associated with inflammatory disorders in humans, including degenerative joint disease. While obesity is endemic in horses, its relationship to equine degenerative joint disease has not been explored. The current study sought to describe relationships between: body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), lameness grade (AAEP), total body fat mass (kg; FM) and fat per cent (FP) [multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (mfBIA)], age, gender, activity level (AL), synovial fluid (SF) and plasma (PL) PGE and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in horses. During this field investigation, the...
Effects of a dietary supplement on gastric ulcer number and severity in exercising horses. This study evaluated the effect of a dietary supplement on the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Gastroscopy was performed on university riding horses of mixed breeds at two locations and only horses exhibiting gastric ulcers were selected to participate in this study (location A, n = 13; location B, n = 15). Gastric ulcer severity was assessed using two different methods depending on location before treatment (Pre). After gastroscopy, horses were fed the supplement in addition to their regular diet for 44 d (14-d adaptation period followed by 30-d feeding period). All horses ...
Evaluation of glucose and insulin response to haylage diets with different content of nonstructural carbohydrates in 2 breeds of horses. Information about the effect of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in forage on the postprandial glucose and insulin response in horses is scarce. This is of interest as postprandial hyperinsulinemia in horses is a risk factor for laminitis. In addition, insulin sensitivity (IS) differs between breeds. The aim was to evaluate the postprandial glucose and insulin response to haylage diets with different NSC content in horses of 2 different breeds and to evaluate the relationship between the postprandial insulin response and measures of IS derived from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose to...
Coat Clipping of Horses: A Survey. Coat clipping is a common practice in sport horses; however, timing, purpose, technique, and clips vary widely, as do the management and feeding of a clipped horse. The aim of this study was to collect data regarding common clipping practices. A questionnaire was published online in Germany and contained 32 questions. Four hundred ninety-eight people answered at least one question, and 373 individuals (7% male, 93% female; ages 14-59 years) completed all the questions. Clipped horses were predominantly used as sport horses (68%), and they were either clipped immediately before or during the w...
Correlation between fecal egg count, presence of Strongylus vulgaris, and body score of feral horses on Fort Polk, Louisiana. Approximately 700 feral horses, dubbed "trespass horses" by the United States Army, occupy Fort Polk, Louisiana and the surrounding Kisatchie National Forest. These horses are considered a nuisance and hazard, and the military is seeking to remove the horses via adoption. The aim of this research was to evaluate the fecal egg count (FEC), body condition score (BCS), and the presence of Strongylus vulgaris within this previously unstudied horse population prior to removal. The feral horse data was compared to domestic horses living on a single farm in the same area. A modified McMaster FEC, Hen...
The association between gut microbiome, sex, age and body condition scores of horses in Maiduguri and its environs. The equine gut harbours complex microbial populations which influence physiology, metabolism, nutrition and immune functions, while disruption to the gut microbiota has been linked with conditions such as lameness, diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the association between microbial dysbiosis, sex, age and body condition scores (BCS) of horses (Equus equus caballus) in Maiduguri and its environs. Forty horses were assessed by convenient sampling, while faecal samples were collected and analyzed to determine the microbiomes in the various age groups wi...
Characterization of the Prevalence and Management of Over-Conditioned Ponies and Horses in Maryland. It has been estimated in the United States and abroad that 20%-51% of the equine population suffers from over-conditioning or obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of over-conditioning in the equine population in Maryland, to characterize weight control measures used, and to ascertain how control measures impact the operation. Over-conditioning was defined as a body condition score of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. All licensed horse operators in Maryland were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 93 farm operators completed the survey with 238 ponies...
Effects of Feeding Frequency Using a Commercial Automated Feeding Device on Gastric Ulceration in Exercised Quarter Horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate two feeding regimens: traditional grain feeding (twice a day, traditional fed [TF]) compared with horses fed with an automated feeder programmed to deliver grain in 20 equal aliquots (fractioned fed [FF]) and its effects on gastric ulceration, body weight, and body condition score (BCS). Thirty-one Quarter Horses were maintained in individual stalls during the 60-day experimental period and worked at moderate exercise intensity. Gastroscopies were performed before grain adaptation at 0, 30, and 60 days. Weight and BCS were evaluated biweekly. There ...
Mouldable, thermoplastic, glue-on frog-supportive shoes change hoof kinetics in normal and obese Shetland ponies. Obesity and hyperinsulinaemia are frequently encountered in the equine population and risk factors for the development of laminitis. There are many options for hoof support that claim a beneficial effect, but often the scientific evidence is scarce. Objective: To quantify the effect of frog-supportive shoes on hoof kinetics in normal and obese ponies. Methods: Controlled in vivo trial. Methods: Ten Shetland mares (n = 10) with a normal (n = 5) or obese (n = 5) body condition were led over a dynamically calibrated pressure plate before (T0), immediately after (T1) and 72 h (T2) after ap...
Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age. Obesity is a growing concern in horses. The effects of maternal obesity on maternal metabolism and low-grade inflammation during pregnancy, as well as offspring growth, metabolism, low-grade inflammation, testicular maturation and osteochondrotic lesions until 18 months of age were investigated. Twenty-four mares were used and separated into two groups at insemination according to body condition score (BCS): Normal (N, n = 10, BCS ≤4) and Obese (O, n = 14, BCS ≥4.25). BCS and plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, urea, non-esterified fatty acid, serum amyloid A (SAA), leptin and adiponect...
Foaling rate of mares that were rebred after pregnancy loss in Hidaka, Japan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate foaling rates of mares that were rebred after the pregnancy loss in same reproductive season and to examine factors influencing them in Hidaka, Japan. The study included 82 Thoroughbred mares that had experienced pregnancy loss. The foaling rate of the mares that were rebred after pregnancy loss was 57.3%. The foaling rate decreased as the period until detection of pregnancy loss increased. Aging and lower body condition score of mares decreased the foaling rate.
Energy expenditure in professional flat jockeys using doubly labelled water during the racing season: Implications for body weight management. To formulate individualized dietary strategies for jockeys, it is vital that energy requirements are quantified. We measured total energy expenditure (TEE) over two separate weeks in spring and summer using doubly labelled water in a group of male flat jockeys (n = 8, 36.9 ± 5.7 years, 164 ± 8 cm, 54.6 ± 2.5 kg). Total energy intake (TEI) was self-recorded, as were all riding and structured exercise activity. Mean daily TEE was 10.83 (±2.3) and 10.66 (±1.76) MJ, (p = .61) respectively. Self-reported TEI were 6.03 (±1.7) and 5.37 (±1.1) MJ (p = .40), respectiv...
Ultrasonographic measurements of localized fat accumulation in Shetland pony mares fed a normal v. a high energy diet for 2 years. Health risks associated with obesity are more likely a factor of the localization of fat excess, rather than of elevated BW per se. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to determine the effect of a long-term high energy diet on BW, fat accumulation and localization. Eight Shetland pony mares, 3 to 7 years old, were randomly divided into a control and a high energy (HE) diet group fed either maintenance or double maintenance energy requirements (200% net energy (NE)) for two consecutive summers, with a low energy diet in the winter in between. Body condition score (BCS) did ...
Determination of lipid profiles in serum of obese ponies before and after weight reduction by using multi-one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Obesity is a key component of equine metabolic syndrome, which is highly associated with laminitis. Feed restriction and/or exercise are known to alleviate the detrimental effects of insulin resistance in obese ponies. However, little is known about changes in the serum lipid patterns due to weight reduction and its association with disease outcomes. Therefore, the lipid patterns in the serum of 14 mature ponies before and after a 14-week body weight reduction program (BWRP) were investigated by multi-one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (MOD-TLC). Additionally, sensitivity to insulin (SI...
Effects of body condition score (BCS) on steroid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing enzyme activity in various mare tissues during winter anoestrus. The objective of this study was to determine the activity of steroid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing enzymes in horses with varying BCSs. The BCSs of twenty non-pregnant, anoestrous mares were determined prior to euthanasia, and tissue samples were collected from the liver, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary and endometrium. Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A) and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities were determined using luminogenic substrates. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to test the effect of BCS on enzyme activity and differences between tissues. Activ...
Body fat of stock-type horses predicted by rump fat thickness and deuterium oxide dilution and validated by near-infrared spectroscopy of dissected tissues. Body condition score and percent body fat (BF; %) of horses are positively correlated with reproductive efficiency and are indicative of metabolic issues. However, BF in horses may be poorly predicted because current procedures are either subjective or dependent on one anatomical location. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to compare 2 methods of predicting BF using rump fat thickness (RFT) and deuterium oxide (DO) dilution with actual tissue fat analysis by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in stock-type horses and to identify the relationship between BF and BCS. Twenty-four...
Evaluation of oral sugar test response for detection of equine metabolic syndrome in obese Crioulo horses. Owing to the high prevalence of obesity in Crioulo horses, information allowing early diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and prevention of the associated laminitis is of great value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of EMS and the response to an oral sugar test (OST) in obese Crioulo horses. Twenty-two Crioulo horses were allocated into 3 groups according to their body condition score (BCS out of 9) and presence or absence of laminitis as follows: CON (6/22), BCS < 7; OB (8/22), BCS ≥ 7; and LAM (8/22), BCS ≥7 with clinical and/or radiographic signs of lam...
A comparison of unheated loose housing with stables on the respiratory health of weaned-foals in cold winter conditions: an observational field-study. Newly weaned horses in Finland are often moved to unheated loose housing systems in which the weanlings have free access to a paddock and a shelter. This practice is considered to be good for the development of young horses. The daily temperatures can stay below - 20 °C in Finland for several consecutive weeks during the winter season. However, the effect of unheated housing in a cold climatic environment on the respiratory health of weanlings under field conditions has not been studied before. This investigation was an observational field-study comprising 60 weanlings among 11 different vo...
