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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / Reproducibility of the body condition score assessment in Si...
Veterinary research communications2022; 47(1); 273-278; doi: 10.1007/s11259-022-09916-5

Reproducibility of the body condition score assessment in Silesian horses, using the 9-point BCS scale.

Abstract: Control of body condition is an important aspect of horse management. Its correct evaluation, and the possibility of using universal indicators are of key importance for preserving the animals' wellbeing and for providing them with proper care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between body condition scores assessed by teams and individuals, using the 9-point Body Condition Score scale created by Henneke. The evaluation of a herd of 49 healthy adult Silesian horses was conducted by veterinary medicine students with adequate training in body condition assessment. Group assessments made by each of two teams and then assessments made by two individuals were compared to determine the repeatability of the results. While significant differences were found between the assessments made by the individuals, there were no significant differences between assessments made by the teams or between the individuals and the teams. The results are indicative of the method's repeatability.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-22 PubMed ID: 35316481DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09916-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article discusses the evaluation of body condition in Silesian horses using the 9-point Body Condition Score (BCS) scale, exploring the consistency in assessments conducted by teams and individuals.

Study Overview

  • The study’s objective was to gauge the agreement between the body condition scores given by teams and those given by individuals. The body condition scores are a vital component in the overall management of horses, having direct implications on their wellbeing and quality of care.
  • The assessment tool used in this study was the 9-point Body Condition Score (BCS) scale developed by Henneke. This scoring system is universally used and is an integral part of the evaluations.
  • A total of 49 healthy adult Silesian horses were evaluated for this research, with the assessment performed by students of veterinary medicine, adequately trained in body condition evaluation.

Methodology and Findings

  • The evaluation involved groups of students, and individuals, to assess the same set of horses.
  • The scores provided by each group were compared with one another, and the scores given by individuals were also compared against each other. This comparison allowed the researchers to determine the repeatability or consistency of the results.
  • The results indicated significant differences in the assessments given by individuals. The reasons for these differences could be subject to multiple variables such as personal perceptions, biases, or errors in assessment.
  • Interestingly, there were no significant differences observed between the body condition scores given by the groups or between individuals and groups. This suggests that the repeatability of the scoring method was strong when executed as a team, and there was a sizable agreement between the scores given by individuals and teams.

Implications of the Study

  • The results of the research affirm the repeatability of the 9-point Body Condition Score scale as an effective tool for evaluating the physical condition of horses, especially when used by a team.
  • Although slight differences occurred in individual assessments, the overall agreement between assessments strengthens the reliability of the scoring system.
  • The study contributes to understanding the applicability of the BCS scale, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective evaluation for precise assessments.

Cite This Article

APA
Pyrek P, Siwinska N, Zak-Bochenek A. (2022). Reproducibility of the body condition score assessment in Silesian horses, using the 9-point BCS scale. Vet Res Commun, 47(1), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-022-09916-5

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Pages: 273-278

Researcher Affiliations

Pyrek, Paulina
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
Siwinska, Natalia
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland. natalia.siwinska@upwr.edu.pl.
Zak-Bochenek, Agnieszka
  • Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Reproducibility of Results

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