Abstract
Simple SummaryHorse body weight estimation and monitoring of the weight variations are necessary to determine the amount of feed and feed additives for the proper functioning of the animal. Due to the cost and practical challenge of weighing horses on a large scale, several alternative methods for estimating the body weight of horses have been developed. One of them is to determine a horse’s body weight using a formula. The aim of the study was to evaluate established formulae for estimating horse body weight from data gathered using measurement tape. The investigation was conducted on a group of 299 adult horses of five breeds: ponies, Polish Noble Half Breed, Silesian Breed, Wielkopolski Breed and Thoroughbred. For each horse, body measurements were performed and the actual body weight of the horses was measured with an electronic scales. The horse’s body weight measurements were compared with the result of seven different formulae. It was found that the use of formulae for body weight estimation can be useful in determining feed dosages and additives, medicines, or deworming agents.Methods of estimating horse body weight using mathematical formulae have better accuracy than methods of reading body weight from measuring tape. The aim of the study was to evaluate established formulae for estimating horse body weight from data gathered using measurement tape. The research was conducted in a group of 299 adult horses and ponies of selected breeds: ponies (n = 58), Polish Noble Half Breed (n = 150), Silesian Breed (n = 23), Wielkopolski Breed (n = 52), and Thoroughbred (n = 16). Body measurements were performed on each horse using a measuring stick and tape. The actual body weight of the horses was measured with electronic scale. Statistical analysis was carried out separately for individual breeds of horses. In each of the research groups formulae were selected, the results of which were closest to the actual horse body weight readings. The use of formulae for body weight estimation can be useful in determining feed dosages and additives, medicines or deworming agents. Regular weight measurement is important for maintaining a healthy horse.
Highlights
Body weight (BW) measurement and its regular recording is important in assessing the health of a horse
On the basis of the data obtained from the conducted measurements, the bodyweight of horses was estimated according to the individual formulae (Table 1)
The selected formulae were applied to allResults breeds of horses, and to those groups for which the formulae were originally developed
Summary
Body weight (BW) measurement and its regular recording is important in assessing the health of a horse. Regular weight measurements are very important because they provide essential information on the proper development of the animal. Animals 2020, 10, 1750 of the animal. Measurements provide basic information for calculating the correct dosage of medication when treatment is required, or when a deworming preparation is administered. A sudden change in body weight is an important indicator of a change in health [4,5], and an increase in the weight of grazing horses in spring is closely related to the occurrence of laminitis [6,7]. Regular weight measurement and adjustment of the feeding plan based on this information are very important for the maintenance of a healthy horse
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