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Home / Equine Research Bank / Transl Anim Sci / Relationship between live body condition score and carcass f...
Translational animal science2020; 4(4); txaa179; doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa179

Relationship between live body condition score and carcass fat measures in equine.

Abstract: Relationships between live body condition score (BCS) and carcass fat depots have not been well established in equine. Our study was designed to quantify the relationship between BCS and fat depot measurements from equine carcasses. Live horses ( = 429) were evaluated immediately prior to immobilization at a commercial equine processor. Horses were independently assigned a BCS by a panel of three trained evaluators; BCS was evaluated by visual appraisal and manual palpation of the neck, withers, back, ribs, behind the shoulder, and tailhead. Median BCS frequencies were: 3.0 ( = 9), 4.0 ( = 43), 5.0 ( = 116), 6.0 ( = 86), 7.0 ( = 72), 8.0 ( = 76), and 9.0 ( = 27). Sex (stallion [ = 5], mare [ = 159], or gelding [ = 114]) and breed type (draft [ = 56], stock [ = 363], pony [ = 8], or mule [ =3]) were also denoted. Horses were processed for human consumption according to industry-accepted procedures under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. During the harvest process, all kidney-pelvic-heart (KPH) fat was trimmed from the carcass and weighed. After chilling, the marbling score was subjectively evaluated using beef grading standards. Carcass fat trim was weighed during the fabrication process. As BCS increased, hot carcass weight (HCW), absolute KPH weight, KPH expressed as a percentage of HCW, marbling score, neck fat depth, absolute weight of trimmed carcass fat, and trimmed carcass fat as a percentage of HCW increased ( < 0.01). A strong correlation ( = 0.74; < 0.01) was detected between BCS and absolute KPH weight. Similarly, correlations between BCS and percentage of KPH ( = 0.65), neck fat depth ( = 0.60), absolute trimmed carcass fat ( = 0.58), trimmed carcass fat as a percentage of HCW ( = 0.54), marbling score ( = 0.54), and HCW ( = 0.52) were also detected ( < 0.01). These data indicate a strong relationship between subjective live BCS and objectively measured carcass fat depots in various equine breed types and sexes.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-01 PubMed ID: 33196015PubMed Central: PMC7647347DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa179Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research paper investigates the correlation between the live body condition score (BCS) and fat deposits in horse carcasses, revealing a significant relationship between the two.

Overview of the Study

  • This research study aimed to understand the relationship between the Body Condition Score (BCS) and the amount of fat in different depots of horse carcasses. The BCS of a horse, which is typically calculated by visually examining and physically palpating several body parts such as the neck, withers, back, ribs, shoulder, and tailhead, has not been previously well linked to the amount of fat present in the carcass of equine.
  • The study was carried out on 429 horses, and their BCS was determined by a panel of evaluators. Each horse’s breed and sex were also noted.

Methodology and Results

  • After scoring, the horses were processed for consumption in line with industry standards, under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  • During the processing, the kidney-pelvic-heart (KPH) fat was removed from the carcass and weighed separately. The carcass’ fat trim and the marbling – the fat within the muscle – was also measured using beef grading standards.
  • The study found that as the BCS increased, measures such as hot carcass weight (HCW), absolute KPH weight, KPH as a percentage of HCW, marbling score, neck fat depth, weight of trimmed carcass fat, and trimmed carcass fat as a percentage of HCW also increased.
  • A significant correlation was observed between BCS and the measured values, especially a high correlation between BCS and absolute KPH weight. Other correlations, such as between BCS and percentage of KPH, neck fat depth, absolute trimmed carcass fat, trimmed carcass fat as a percentage of HCW, marbling score, and HCW were noted as well.

Conclusion

  • The findings reveal a substantial relationship between a horse’s body condition score and the amount of fat found in its carcass. This indicates that the BCS could be used as an important measure for estimating carcass fat volume in different horse breeds and sexes.

Cite This Article

APA
Baker LA, Burrows AM, Nonella KJ, Pipkin JL, Holmes LD, McEvers TJ, Tennant TC, Tisdale ZM, Voyles AH, Lawrence TE. (2020). Relationship between live body condition score and carcass fat measures in equine. Transl Anim Sci, 4(4), txaa179. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaa179

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 4
Pages: txaa179
PII: txaa179

Researcher Affiliations

Baker, Lance A
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Burrows, Amanda M
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Nonella, Kelsey J
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Pipkin, John L
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Holmes, Logan D
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
McEvers, Trent J
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Tennant, Travis C
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Tisdale, Zane M
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Voyles, Austin H
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Lawrence, Ty E
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Busechian S, Turini L, Sgorbini M, Bonelli F, Pisello L, Pieramati C, Orvieto S, Rueca F. Body Condition Score Is Not Correlated to Gastric Ulcers in Non-Athlete Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 30;12(19).
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