Beyond scoring systems: usefulness of morphometry considering demographic variables, to evaluate neck and overall obesity in Andalusian horses.
Abstract: Morphometry has proven to be a useful tool, both for the clinician and horse owners, for evaluating the body condition in equids due to its objectivity, easiness and capacity for detection of important metabolic disturbances. However, limited information is available on the use of morphometric ratios to characterize regional and overall adiposity and much less about their application in different genders, ages and horses with different levels of obesity. The objectives were to evaluate body and neck absolute measurements and ratios; factors affecting them such as the influence of gender, age, appearance of the neck crest and overall body condition and; relationships among these measurements. A total of 154 Andalusian horses classified according to their gender, age, body score status and cresty neck condition were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Two evaluators assigned a body condition score (BCS, 1 to 9) and a cresty neck score (CNS, 0 to 5) to each horse. Horses were divided into males and females; young (2 to 5 years) and adults (6 to 15 years); obese (BCS⩾7) and non-obese (BCS<7); cresty neck (CNS⩾3) and non-cresty neck horses (CNS<3). Morphometric measurements (cm) included were: height at the withers (HW); body length (BL), girth (GC) and waist (WC) circumferences; neck length (NL); three neck circumferences (NCs), over the first (NC25%), the second (NC50%) and the third part (NC75%) of the NL and neck crest height (NCH). These measurements were also used to calculate the following ratios: GC : HW, WC : HW, GC : BL, WC : BL, NC25% : HW, NC50% : HW, NC75% : HW, NC25% : BL, NC50% : BL, NC75% : BL, NC25% : NL, NC50% : NL, NC75% : NL, NC25% : NCH, NC50% : NCH and NC75% : NCH. The results showed that most of the absolute measurements and ratios were greater than those described in other light breeds. In addition, most neck ratios were higher (P<0.050) in males than in females, however, all body ratios were greater (P<0.001) in females. Among the absolute measurements, WC in obese horses and NC25% and NC75% in cresty neck horses highlighted as higher. Either GC : HW or WC : HW and NC75% : BL were alternative surrogates for the appraisal of overall and regional adiposity in Andalusians. Several interactions were observed between the gender and adiposity scoring systems affecting the morphometric evaluation. This study establishes absolute morphometric measurements and ratios in Andalusian horses. It also highlights the variability of morphometric values and how the outcome of these can be influenced by demographic variables and the breed analyzed. Further studies are necessary to set morphometric reference values in other breeds.
Publication Date: 2017-07-17 PubMed ID: 28712370DOI: 10.1017/S1751731117001628Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article explores the effectiveness of morphometry, considering demographic variables, in evaluating neck and overall obesity in Andalusian horses. More specifically, it investigates how the use of body and neck measurements and ratios are influenced by factors like gender, age, and body condition, and how these measurements correspond with each other.
Research Methodology
- This research study involved a cross-sectional analysis of a total of 154 Andalusian horses.
- The horses were categorized based on gender, age, overall body score status, and neck condition, described as ‘cresty neck’.
- Two evaluators assigned a body condition score (BCS) and a cresty neck score (CNS) for each horse, using predefined measurements.
- Horses were grouped as males or females; young (2 to 5 years) or adults (6 to 15 years); obese (BCS≥7) or non-obese (BCS<7); and cresty neck (CNS≥3) or non-cresty neck horses (CNS<3).
- Different morphometric measurements were taken, including height at the withers, body length, girth and waist circumferences, neck length, three neck circumferences, and neck crest height.
- These measurements were also used to calculate various ratios, corresponding to the horse’s anatomy and physique.
Findings of the Study
- The findings revealed that most of the absolute measurements and their corresponding ratios were higher than those described in other light horse breeds.
- In terms of gender-based differences, it was found that although most neck ratios were higher in males than in females, all body ratios were greater in females.
- The research found that waist circumference in obese horses, as well as certain neck circumference measurements in horses with a cresty neck condition, were more pronounced.
- Several interactions were observed between gender and adiposity scoring systems which affected the morphometric evaluation.
Conclusion and Implications
- The study validated the use of morphometric measurements and ratios in assessing obesity among Andalusian horses.
- The research brought to light the inherent variability of these morphometric values and how they are influenced by demographic factors and the specific breed of horse under analysis.
- The research concluded there is a need for further studies to establish morphometric reference values in other horse breeds to enhance the assessment and management of equine obesity.
Cite This Article
APA
Martin-Gimenez T, Aguirre-Pascasio CN, de Blas I.
(2017).
Beyond scoring systems: usefulness of morphometry considering demographic variables, to evaluate neck and overall obesity in Andalusian horses.
Animal, 12(3), 597-605.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117001628 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,Universidad de Zaragoza,c. Miguel Servet 177,50013 Zaragoza,Spain.
- 2Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,University of Murcia, Campus Universitario de Espinardo,30100 Espinardo,Murcia,Spain.
- 1Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,Universidad de Zaragoza,c. Miguel Servet 177,50013 Zaragoza,Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Adiposity / physiology
- Animals
- Body Composition
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Demography
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Neck / physiology
- Obesity / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Gmel AI, Brem G, Neuditschko M. New genomic insights into the conformation of Lipizzan horses. Sci Rep 2023 Jun 2;13(1):8990.
- Harada K, Akioka K, Izu I, Sasaki N. Ultrasonography-based diagnosis of hemorrhage syndrome in adipose tissues in the crest of the neck of heavy horse breeds. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Jun 13;85(6):637-641.
- Busechian S, Turini L, Sgorbini M, Pieramati C, Pisello L, Orvieto S, Rueca F. Are Horse Owners Able to Estimate Their Animals' Body Condition Score and Cresty Neck Score?. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
- Aboelmaaty AM, Ahdy AM, El-Khodery S, Elgioushy M. Investigations on metabolic diseases of horses in Egypt. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1591090.
- Akinniyi OO, Mshelia PW, Edeh RE. Can Nigerian horse owners effectively estimate body condition and cresty neck scores?. J Equine Sci 2024 Mar;35(1):9-14.
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