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Australian veterinary journal2016; 94(11); 427-432; doi: 10.1111/avj.12506

Prevalence of obesity and owners’ perceptions of body condition in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia.

Abstract: To determine the prevalence of obesity within a population of pleasure horses and ponies in Victoria, Australia, and to compare owners' perceptions of their animals' body condition with researchers' assessments. Methods: An observational study plus owner questionnaire. Methods: Ten Pony Club rallies in different regions of Victoria were attended. Information regarding 229 horses and ponies were obtained from owner questionnaires, and owners' perceptions of the current body condition of their animals were assessed using a visual analogue scale. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed by the researchers using the modified Henneke method. Results: The prevalence of researcher-assessed obesity (BCS ≥7/9) in the total surveyed population was 23.1%. A higher prevalence of obesity was identified in Shetland ponies (71.5%) and other pony types (32.0%) compared with horse breeds (9.3%). Owners perceived their animals to be in significantly lower body condition compared with the researchers' assessments (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although the overall prevalence of obesity within Australian pleasure horses and ponies was 24.5%, a considerably higher proportion of pony breeds fell into this category. Owners frequently underestimated their own animal's body condition. Knowing the prevalence of obesity in this population and understanding how owners perceive the body condition of their animals may help with targeting education around preventative health care, with the aim of reducing the risk of conditions such as insulin dysregulation and laminitis.
© 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-28 PubMed ID: 27785793DOI: 10.1111/avj.12506Google 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.

The research examined obesity in recreational horses and ponies in Victoria, Australia, comparing owners’ perceptions of their animals’ body condition with actual assessments. The study showed that obesity was common, especially amongst ponies, and that owners commonly underestimated their animals’ body condition.

Objective and Methods

  • The research’s main goal was to understand the prevalence of obesity in a selected population of pleasure horses and ponies in Victoria, Australia. It also aimed to compare the owners’ perception of their animals’ body condition with the evaluations carried out by researchers.
  • Researchers conducted an observational study combined with a questionnaire administered to owners during ten Pony Club rallies across various regions in Victoria. Information about a total of 229 horses and ponies was collected using these questionnaires.
  • The owners estimated the current body condition of their animals using a visual analogue scale. In contrast, the researchers used a different method, the modified Henneke method, to assess the animals’ Body Condition Score (BCS).

Results

  • The research found that the prevalence of obesity (defined as BCS ≥7/9) was 23.1% among the total population surveyed by the researchers.
  • The study reported a higher percentage of obesity in Shetland ponies (71.5%) and among other types of ponies (32.0%) compared to horse breeds (9.3%).
  • Significantly, the study found that owners’ perceptions of their animals’ body conditions were considerably lower than the assessments made by the researchers, indicating a misjudgment or underestimation by the owners (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

  • Although the overall prevalence of obesity in the surveyed Australian pleasure horses and ponies was just under a quarter (24.5%), a markedly higher proportion of pony breeds fell into this category.
  • The study revealed that owners frequently underestimated their animals’ body conditions, suggesting a lack of awareness or understanding about equine obesity.
  • Familiarity with the prevalence of obesity in this horse and pony population, as well as comprehending how owners perceive their animals’ body conditions, may aid in directing educational initiatives around preventative health care. This strategy is aimed at reducing the risk of health disorders such as insulin dysregulation and laminitis, which are directly linked to obesity in equines.

Cite This Article

APA
Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. (2016). Prevalence of obesity and owners’ perceptions of body condition in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia. Aust Vet J, 94(11), 427-432. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12506

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 94
Issue: 11
Pages: 427-432

Researcher Affiliations

Potter, S J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Victoria, Australia.
Bamford, N J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Victoria, Australia.
Harris, P A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
Bailey, S R
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Victoria, Australia. bais@unimelb.edu.au.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Body Composition
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses / classification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Victoria / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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