Accuracy of different methods of estimating the weight of horses.
Abstract: Six hundred horses of different ages, heights and breeds were weighed on a weighbridge and had their weights estimated by two weigh tapes, 1 and 2, by a formula, and by a visual estimate. For the population as a whole, the most accurate method was the formula (mean [sd] 98.6 [10.6] per cent) closely followed by weigh tape 2 (98.1 [8.1] per cent). Tape 1 and the visual estimate were the least accurate (112.0 [9.3] and 88.3 [20.1] per cent respectively). When the population was divided into two height groups, the formula and weigh tape 2 were the most accurate for horses or = 15 hh weigh tape 1 was most accurate (103.5 [9.1] per cent) and the formula, tape 2 and the visual estimate were 95.5 (13.1) per cent, 91.8 (9.2) per cent, and 89.3 (22.2) per cent accurate respectively. Overall the formula appeared to be the most accurate estimator of a horse's weight. However, owing to individual variation, it is recommended that the weights of horses or = 15 hh are estimated with weigh tape 1.
Publication Date: 1998-10-31 PubMed ID: 9795403DOI: 10.1136/vr.143.12.335Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studied the accuracy of different methods for estimating a horse’s weight. The study found that a certain formula and one type of weigh tape were generally the most accurate, but recommendations differed depending on the height of the horse.
Objective of the Study
- The study was conducted to determine the accuracy of different methods used to estimate the weight of horses. These methods include two types of weigh tapes (tape 1 and tape 2), a formula, and a visual estimate.
Methodology
- The study involved a sample of 600 horses varying in ages, sizes, and breeds that were weighed on a weighbridge. This provided the actual weights of the horses against which the other estimates were compared.
- Four methods for estimating the weight of the horses were used. These were two kinds of weigh tapes, a specific formula developed for estimating horse weights, and visual estimation. The accuracy of these methods was then computed by comparing the estimates with the actual weights obtained from the weighbridge.
Results and Findings
- The formula method gave the most accurate estimation, with a mean deviation of only 1.4% from the actual weight. This was closely followed by weigh tape 2, which had a mean deviation of 1.9%.
- Tape 1 and the visual estimation method were the least accurate ways of estimating horse weight. They had mean deviations of 12% and 11.7% from the actual weight, respectively.
- When the horses were divided into two groups based on height (=15 hh), different methods showed varying levels of accuracy. For horses = 15 hh, weigh tape 1 provided the most accurate estimate.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- The study concluded that the formula and weigh tape 2 generally provided the most accurate weight estimates for horses.
- However, due to individual variation in horse sizes, recommendations differed based on the height of the horse. For horses less than 15 hh, the formula or weigh tape 2 should be used. For those horses 15 hh or taller, weigh tape 1 is recommended.
Cite This Article
APA
Ellis JM, Hollands T.
(1998).
Accuracy of different methods of estimating the weight of horses.
Vet Rec, 143(12), 335-336.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.143.12.335 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell Centre.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biometry
- Body Weight
- Data Interpretation, Statistical
- Horses
- Reproducibility of Results
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Grimwood K, Lancaster B, Handel I. Factors Affecting Weigh Tape Reading in the Measurement of Equine Body Weight.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 13;13(8).
- Satoła A, Łuszczyński J, Petrych W, Satoła K. Body Weight Prediction from Linear Measurements of Icelandic Foals: A Machine Learning Approach.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 11;12(10).
- Daniels SP, Leng J, Swann JR, Proudman CJ. Bugs and drugs: a systems biology approach to characterising the effect of moxidectin on the horse's faecal microbiome.. Anim Microbiome 2020 Oct 14;2(1):38.
- Górniak W, Wieliczko M, Soroko M, Korczyński M. Evaluation of the Accuracy of Horse Body Weight Estimation Methods.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 26;10(10).
- Jensen RB, Rockhold LL, Tauson AH. Weight estimation and hormone concentrations related to body condition in Icelandic and Warmblood horses: a field study.. Acta Vet Scand 2019 Dec 26;61(1):63.
- Pasolini MP, Spinella G, Del Prete C, Valentini S, Coluccia P, Auletta L, Greco M, Meomartino L. Ultrasonographic assessment of normal jugular veins in Standardbred horses.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Oct 16;15(1):343.
- Horn R, Bertin FR. Evaluation of combined testing to simultaneously diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and insulin dysregulation in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2249-2256.
- Frank N, Walsh DM. Repeatability of Oral Sugar Test Results, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Measurements, and Serum High-Molecular-Weight Adiponectin Concentrations in Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Jul;31(4):1178-1187.
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