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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2017; 58(9); 967-970;

Prevalence of obesity in the equine population of Saskatoon and surrounding area.

Kosolofski, HR
·
Gow, SP
·
Robinson, KA

Abstract: A retrospective study determined the prevalence of obesity and over-conditioning in horses in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Body condition score (BSC) was assessed for 290 horses from the Field Service practice at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. The median BSC of horses was 6; however, 59 (20.3%) horses were classified as over-conditioned, and 24 (8.3%) as obese. Une étude rétrospective a déterminé la prévalence de l’obésité et du surconditionnement des chevaux à Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan. La note d’état corporel (NEC) a été évaluée pour 290 chevaux à la pratique sur le terrain du Western College of Veterinary Medicine. La NEC médiane des chevaux était de 6, cependant 59 (20,3 %) chevaux étaient classés comme étant surconditionnés et 24 (8,3 %) comme obèses.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

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Publication Date: 2017-09-08 PubMed ID: 28878421PubMed Central: PMC5556474

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MeSH
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Journal Article

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 article focuses on the prevalence of obesity and over-conditioning in horses in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, revealing that a significant amount of the equine population displays signs of these conditions.

Research Methodology

The study conducted is retrospective in nature, implying that the researchers used existing data and records for their analysis and observations.
The body condition score (BSC), a numerical system used to estimate the amount of fat on a horse’s body, was used as a tool to assess the physical condition of the horses.
The assessment was conducted on 290 horses taken from the Field Service practice at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, representative of the equine population in Saskatoon and its surrounding regions.

Research Findings

The median BSC of the horses in the sample was found to be 6. This suggests that on average, the horses were in a moderate body condition – neither too lean nor excessively fat, on a scale that typically ranges from 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat).
However, a significant portion of the population was identified as over-conditioned (having excessive body fat) or obese. Specifically, 59 horses, or 20.3% of the sample, were classified as over-conditioned, and 24 horses, or 8.3% of the sample, were deemed to be obese.

Implications and Conclusions

The observations suggest a significant prevalence of over-conditioning and obesity amongst horses in Saskatoon and surrounding areas.
This raises concerns regarding the health and well-being of the equine population in the area, as over-conditioning and obesity can lead to various health problems in horses, such as metabolic disorders, lameness, and decreased fertility.
The study underscores the need for more effective management and nutritional strategies to prevent and control obesity and over-conditioning in horses in the region.

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APA

Kosolofski HR, Gow SP, Robinson KA. (2017). Prevalence of obesity in the equine population of Saskatoon and surrounding area. Can Vet J, 58(9), 967-970.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne

ISSN: 0008-5286

NlmUniqueID: 0004653

Country: Canada

Language: English

Volume: 58

Issue: 9

Pages: 967-970

Researcher Affiliations

Kosolofski, Hayley R

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

Gow, Sheryl P

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

Robinson, Katherine A

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Horse Diseases / epidemiology
Horses
Obesity / epidemiology
Obesity / veterinary
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Saskatchewan / epidemiology

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This article includes 16 references

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.

Urbanek N, Zebeli Q. Morphometric Measurements and Muscle Atrophy Scoring as a Tool to Predict Body Weight and Condition of Horses.. Vet Sci 2023 Aug 9;10(8).
doi: 10.3390/vetsci10080515pubmed: 37624301google scholar: lookup
Smieszek A, Marcinkowska K, Pielok A, Sikora M, Valihrach L, Carnevale E, Marycz K. Obesity Affects the Proliferative Potential of Equine Endometrial Progenitor Cells and Modulates Their Molecular Phenotype Associated with Mitochondrial Metabolism.. Cells 2022 Apr 24;11(9).
doi: 10.3390/cells11091437pubmed: 35563743google scholar: lookup
Marycz K, Szu0142apka-Kosarzewska J, Geburek F, Kornicka-Garbowska K. Systemic Administration of Rejuvenated Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Liver Metabolism in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)- New Approach in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine.. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019 Dec;15(6):842-850.
doi: 10.1007/s12015-019-09913-3pubmed: 31620992google scholar: lookup
Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I, Feige K, Fey K. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):335-349.
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