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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Prevalence of overconditioning in mature horses in southwest...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2012; 26(6); 1413-1418; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00995.x

Prevalence of overconditioning in mature horses in southwest Virginia during the summer.

Abstract: The prevalence of obesity in horses in the eastern United States is not well documented. Objective: To determine body condition and risk factors for obesity in horses in Southwest Virginia during summer. Methods: A sample of 300 mature (4-20 years old), light breed horses (140 mares, 151 geldings, and 9 stallions) from the VMRCVM Equine Field Service practice equine database. The horses were from 114 farms and 138 owners. Methods: Horses were evaluated over a 60-day period in this cross-sectional, prospective study. A questionnaire was completed for each horse. Body condition score (BCS) was assigned using a scale of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese) by 2 independent scorers. Morphometric measurements included average neck circumference (ANC), girth, body length, and height at the withers. Horses were categorized based on BCS as underconditioned (BCS < 4), optimal condition (BCS 4-6), overconditioned (BCS 7), and obese condition (BCS 8-9). Results: Five horses (1.7%) were underconditioned, 142 horses (47.3%) were optimally conditioned, 97 horses (32.3%) were overconditioned, and 56 (18.7%) were obese. Estimated body weight (EBW) (r = 0.14, P = .015), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.46, P < .001), and neck circumference to height ratio (NCHR) (r = 0.50, P = .001) increased with increasing BCS. Conclusions: The prevalence of overconditioned and obese horses in this population was higher than reported in previous studies and indicates that obesity might be an emerging problem in horses.
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2012-09-04 PubMed ID: 22946995DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00995.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

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The research concerns the prevalence of obesity in horses in Southwest Virginia during summer, and the results indicate a higher proportion of overconditioned and obese horses than previously reported.

Objective of the Research

  • The purpose of this study was to assess the body condition and identify potential risk factors for obesity in horses in Southwest Virginia during the summer season.

Methodology

  • 300 mature horses (aged 4-20 years) of light breed (140 mares, 151 geldings, and 9 stallions) were sampled from the VMRCVM Equine Field Service practice equine database.
  • The horses came from a total of 114 farms and had 138 owners.
  • Over a period of 60 days, each horse was evaluated in this cross-sectional, prospective study through a completed questionnaire.
  • Two independent scorers assigned a Body Condition Score (BCS) to each horse on a scale of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese).
  • Measurements such as average neck circumference, girth, body length and height at the withers were taken into account.
  • Horses were categorised based on their BCS as underconditioned (BCS < 4), optimal condition (BCS 4-6), overconditioned (BCS 7) and obese condition (BCS 8-9).

Results of the Study

  • The results indicated that 1.7% (5 horses) were underconditioned, 47.3% (142 horses) were optimally conditioned, 32.3% (97 horses) were overconditioned and 18.7% (56 horses) were obese.
  • The study also found that Estimated Body Weight (EBW), Body Mass Index (BMI) and neck circumference to height ratio (NCHR) increased as the BCS increased.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the occurrence of overconditioned and obese horses in this group was higher than that was reported in previous studies, suggesting that obesity might be an emerging problem in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Thatcher CD, Pleasant RS, Geor RJ, Elvinger F. (2012). Prevalence of overconditioning in mature horses in southwest Virginia during the summer. J Vet Intern Med, 26(6), 1413-1418. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00995.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 26
Issue: 6
Pages: 1413-1418

Researcher Affiliations

Thatcher, C D
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Pleasant, R S
    Geor, R J
      Elvinger, F

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Body Composition
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Obesity / epidemiology
        • Obesity / veterinary
        • Seasons
        • Virginia / epidemiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 30 times.
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