Can Nigerian horse owners effectively estimate body condition and cresty neck scores?
Abstract: A horse's body condition impacts every aspect of its life, including reproduction, performance, and health. Obesity and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are common in Nigeria; hence, early identification of a horse's obesity status by the owner is key to avoiding associated health issues such as EMS. Our study aimed to determine whether horse owners could effectively estimate their horses' body condition scores (BCSs) and cresty neck scores (CNSs). A total of 50 adult sedentary West African Barb horses owned by 50 different people were enrolled in the study. Body condition scores (BCSs) and cresty neck scores (CNSs) were assessed on scales of 1-9 and 0-5, respectively, by an experienced veterinarian and owners. The latter had no veterinary background, received no prior education, and assessed their horses based on provided visual aids and descriptions. The BCS estimates of the experienced veterinarian and owners were slightly in agreement (k=0.209), while there was moderate agreement (k=0.547) between the CNS estimates of the experienced veterinarian and the owners. The proportion of obesity based on the experienced veterinarian's estimation (32%) was higher than that of the owners (18%). The proportion of nuchal crest adiposity based on the experienced veterinarian's (38%) estimation was slightly lower than that of the owners (42%). A larger proportion of the owners underestimated their horses' BCSs and CNSs. We conclude that owners cannot effectively estimate their horses' BCSs and CNSs. It is imperative that they are informed about the health issues associated with obesity and are taught how to effectively estimate BCS and CNS.
©2024 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2024-03-19 PubMed ID: 38524755PubMed Central: PMC10955270DOI: 10.1294/jes.35.9Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates whether horse owners in Nigeria can accurately assess the body condition and cresty neck scores of their horses. The study reveals that most owners either undestimate or overestimate these scores, indicating a need for increased horse health education.
Objective of the Study
- The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of Nigerian horse owners to estimate the body condition scores (BCSs) and cresty neck scores (CNSs) of their horses accurately.
- The importance of this study lies in the fact that a correct estimation of these parameters is crucial for monitoring the horse’s health, as obesity and equine metabolic syndrome are common health issues among horses in Nigeria.
Methodology
- The study involved 50 adult sedentary West African Barb horses owned by 50 different individuals.
- The BCSs and CNSs of these horses were assessed by both an experienced veterinarian and the horse owners. The scores were evaluated on scales of 1-9 (for BCSs) and 0-5 (for CNSs) respectively.
- The horse owners participating in the study had no veterinary background and had not received any prior education on how to assess these scores. They were asked to estimate the scores based on visual aids and descriptions provided to them.
Results
- The findings indicated a slight agreement (k=0.209) between the BCS estimates provided by the experienced veterinarian and the horse owners.
- Regarding the CNS estimates, there was moderate agreement (k=0.547) between the assessments of the experienced veterinarian and the owners.
- The experienced veterinarian estimated a higher obesity rate (32%) compared to the owners’ estimates (18%). On the other hand, the owners estimated a slightly higher nuchal crest adiposity rate (42%) than the veterinarian’s estimation (38%).
- The study found that a significant proportion of the owners underestimated their horses’ BCSs and CNSs.
Conclusion
- Based on the results, the study concludes that Nigerian horse owners cannot effectively estimate their horses’ BCSs and CNSs.
- This highlights the need for horse owners to be accurately informed about the health issues related to horse obesity and trained effectively in estimating BCSs and CNSs in order to better monitor and manage their horses’ health.
Cite This Article
APA
Akinniyi OO, Mshelia PW, Edeh RE.
(2024).
Can Nigerian horse owners effectively estimate body condition and cresty neck scores?
J Equine Sci, 35(1), 9-14.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.35.9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, PO Box 200005, Nigeria.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Plateau State, PO Box 2084, Nigeria.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
References
This article includes 14 references
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