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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(10); 1750; doi: 10.3390/ani10101750

Evaluation of the Accuracy of Horse Body Weight Estimation Methods.

Abstract: Methods of estimating horse body weight using mathematical formulae have better accuracy than methods of reading body weight from measuring tape. The aim of the study was to evaluate established formulae for estimating horse body weight from data gathered using measurement tape. The research was conducted in a group of 299 adult horses and ponies of selected breeds: ponies ( = 58), Polish Noble Half Breed ( = 150), Silesian Breed ( = 23), Wielkopolski Breed ( = 52), and Thoroughbred ( = 16). Body measurements were performed on each horse using a measuring stick and tape. The actual body weight of the horses was measured with electronic scale. Statistical analysis was carried out separately for individual breeds of horses. In each of the research groups formulae were selected, the results of which were closest to the actual horse body weight readings. The use of formulae for body weight estimation can be useful in determining feed dosages and additives, medicines or deworming agents. Regular weight measurement is important for maintaining a healthy horse.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-26 PubMed ID: 32993072PubMed Central: PMC7599529DOI: 10.3390/ani10101750Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the effectiveness of various methods in estimating horse body weight, concluding that mathematical formulae provide more accurate estimations than measuring tapes. The study examined 299 horses and ponies of different breeds, and body weight calculated with formulae closely matched the actual body weight of horses as measured by an electronic scale.

Research Details

  • This study was undertaken with a group of 299 adult horses and ponies belonging to a variety of breeds, such as the Polish Noble Half Breed, Silesian Breed, Wielkopolski Breed, and Thoroughbred, along with ponies.
  • The researchers used both a measuring stick and tape to gather body measurements, while the actual weight of the horses was acquired using an electronic scale.
  • These measurements were then used to evaluate established mathematical formulae designed to predict horse body weight.

Findings

  • Statistical analysis performed for each individual breed showed that the results generated from the mathematical formulae were closest to the actual body weight readings.
  • On the other hand, the practice of reading body weight from a measuring tape did not yield as precise estimates.

Implications

  • The study underlines the importance and usefulness of mathematical formulae in accurately determining horse body weight, which can help in ensuring proper feeding practices, medicine dosage, and deworming treatments.
  • These findings stress on regular weight measurements for maintaining the overall health and well-being of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Górniak W, Wieliczko M, Soroko M, Korczyński M. (2020). Evaluation of the Accuracy of Horse Body Weight Estimation Methods. Animals (Basel), 10(10), 1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101750

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
PII: 1750

Researcher Affiliations

Górniak, Wanda
  • Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland.
Wieliczko, Martyna
  • Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland.
Soroko, Maria
  • Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland.
Korczyński, Mariusz
  • Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. 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).
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  2. 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).
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  3. Zhu X, Li J, Gao J, Lan J, Li M, Deng J, Peng W, Feng Y, Li B, Pang H, Liu J, Kou J, Wang Y. Predicting Body Weight from Birth to Old Age in Giant Pandas Using Machine Learning. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 20;14(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14243694pubmed: 39765598google scholar: lookup
  4. Buchallik-Schregel J, Kiene F, Buchallik J, Marahrens H, Ossowski N, Schumacher CV, Gerstel B, Reimers U, Ganter M, Wagener MG. Relationships between body condition score, body weight and body measurements in alpacas. Ir Vet J 2024 May 30;77(1):11.
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