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Body condition scoring as a predictor of body fat in horses and ponies.
Abstract: Body condition scoring systems were originally developed to quantify flesh cover in food animals and are commonly used to evaluate body fat in Equidae. The relationship between concurrent estimates of body fat content (eTBF%, deuterium oxide dilution; range, 2.7-35.6%) and subjective appraisals of body 'fatness' (body condition score, BCS; range, 1.25-9/9), was investigated in 77 mature horses and ponies. Univariate (UVM, r(2)=0.79) and multivariable (MVM, r(2)=0.86) linear regression models described the association, where BCS and eTBF% were explanatory and outcome variables, respectively. Other measures (age, sex, breed, body mass, ultrasound-generated subcutaneous and abdominal retroperitoneal fat depths, withers height, heart and belly circumferences) were considered as potential confounders but only height, belly circumference and retroperitoneal fat depth remained in the final MVM. The association between BCS and eTBF% was logarithmic. Appraisal of the transformed regression (UVM), actual eTBF% values and 95%CIs of the model forecast, suggested that the power of log-transformed BCS as a predictor of eTBF% decreased as BCS increased. The receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of horses with an eTBF% of >20%, suggested that the UVM correctly classified 76% of horses using a 'cut-off' of BCS 6.83/9 (sensitivity, 82.5%; specificity, 70.8%). Negative values for eTBF% were obtained for two thin ponies which were excluded from analyses, and caution is advised in the application of deuterium dilution methodologies where perturbed tissue hydration could be predicted. The data suggest that BCS descriptors may warrant further consideration/refinement to establish more clinically-useful, sub-classifications for overweight/obese animals.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-05-10 PubMed ID: 22578691DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.03.024Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper examines the relationship between body condition scoring (BCS) and estimated body fat percentage in horses and ponies, concluding that the power of BCS to predict fat percentage decreases as BCS figures increase.
Study Overview
- The research was conducted on 77 mature horses and ponies, evaluating their body fat content (in percentages) and body ‘fatness’ via the body condition score system which ranges from 1.25-9/9, where higher scores indicate worse conditions.
- Various other factors such as age, sex, breed, body mass, and bodily measurements were taken into account as potential confounding variables.
- The relationship between the BCS and estimated fat was found to be logarithmic, meaning it increases rapidly at first and then slows down.
Key Findings
- The univariate model (which involved plotting BCS against estimated body fat percentages) showed a strong relationship with 79% of the variation in body fat percentage explained by the BCS.
- The multivariable model, which included confounding variables like belly circumference, height and retroperitoneal fat depth, was even better at predicting body fat, explaining 86% of the variation.
- However, it was observed that as the BCS increased, its power to predict estimated body fat percentage decreased.
- The research indicated a ‘cut-off’ BCS score of 6.83/9 would accurately classify a horse as having over 20% body fat in 76% of cases, demonstrating a significant relationship between BCS and body fat content.
Considerations and Suggestions
- Two ponies with exceptionally low body fat percentages were excluded from the analyses, highlighting the need for caution when applying deuterium dilution methodologies where there could be hydration-related inaccuracies in fat estimations.
- The findings have prompted the researchers to suggest reconsideration or refinement of the Body Condition Scoring system to establish more clinically useful classifications for overweight or obese animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Dugdale AH, Grove-White D, Curtis GC, Harris PA, Argo CM.
(2012).
Body condition scoring as a predictor of body fat in horses and ponies.
Vet J, 194(2), 173-178.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.03.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Science and Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue
- Animals
- Biometry
- Body Composition
- Body Fat Distribution
- Body Size
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Obesity / diagnosis
- Obesity / veterinary
- Overweight / diagnosis
- Overweight / veterinary
Grant Funding
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Citations
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