Effects of season and body condition on appetite, body mass and body composition in ad libitum fed pony mares.

This research investigates the influence of seasonality and body conditions on dietary intake, body mass, and fat composition in freely fed pony mares. Results indicated that non-obese ponies gained weight faster during the summer compared to the winter, and obese ponies maintained consistent body mass regardless of the season.

Study Design and Participants

• The study monitored changes in appetite, body mass, body condition score, and body fat in Welsh Mountain pony mares that were between 5 to 19 years old.
• The ponies were offered unrestricted access to a complete diet for 12 weeks, with observations happening in the summer and winter seasons.
• The ponies were divided into three groups based on body condition scores (thin, moderate, obese) at the outset of the study.

Findings relating to Non-Obese and Obese Ponies

• The non-obese ponies gained body mass at a quicker rate during the summer months as compared to the winter months. Increased dry matter intake during the summer months was identified as the reason for this increased weight gain.
• On the other hand, the appetite of obese ponies was significantly lower than that of their non-obese counterparts during the summer and their body mass remained constant throughout the year.
• Further, body fatness progressively increased in non-obese ponies but stayed constant in obese ponies.

Body Fat Content and Body Condition Scores (BCS)

• The study found that the body fat content was exponentially associated with the increasing body condition score. However, scores above 6 did not provide useful indicators of actual body fat.

Implication of Findings

• The study concludes that the internal mechanisms in ponies designed to suppress winter weight gain were not sufficient to prevent obesity in ponies, given unrestricted feeding access.