Researchers Find New Method for Monitoring Horses' Body Fat

Obesity in horses and ponies is a big problem that requires frequent monitoring.

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Obesity in horses and ponies is a big problem that requires frequent monitoring. Recently, researchers from the University of Melbourne, Australia, in collaboration with the WALTHAM Equine Studies Group in England, published a study in which they tested a new way to monitor body fat and weight loss.

The team devised a new body condition index (BCI) that works in a similar way to the body mass index used in humans. It should enhance the value of body condition scoring (BCS), which remains an important routine tool for general weight monitoring. The new work will be presented at the 2015 Equine Science Society Symposium, taking place May 26-29 in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida.

In the United Kingdom’s 2014 National Equine Health Survey (NEHS), overweight horses or ponies were recorded in 16.9% of cases, which was more than double the previous year’s figure of 7.8%. In a 2014 WALTHAM study of predominantly outdoor living horses and ponies, researchers found an even higher prevalence of obesity: nearly 30% coming out of the winter and around 35% in the summer. Obesity presents many health risks including equine metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of laminitis. The NEHS also showed that only 59% of respondents assess their horse’s weight regularly using weigh tapes and body condition scoring.

Accurate assessment of fat deposits can help to identify obesity levels and enable weight loss monitoring. While body condition scoring is reasonably accurate and is a valuable way of keeping track of weight on a routine basis, especially when carried out by experienced investigators, it is subjective and therefore potentially less accurate for many owners or inexperienced assessors.

Researchers on the new study employed 22 adult horses and ponies of mixed breeding with body condition scores ranging from 4 to 8.5 out of 9. The team determined the horses’ body fat percentage accurately using a proven scientific method and devised an objective BCI based on repeated measurements of heart girth, belly girth, body length, neck circumference, and height to the withers. The researchers determined that body condition scoring (by experienced investigators) correlated reasonably well with body fat and the new objective BCI also gave a similar good correlation.

The new BCI is designed to complement traditional BCS. It is designed to provide a step up in terms of objective weight monitoring, specifically in the early stages of a weight loss program when researchers have previously shown that BCS might not change substantially, most likely because the horse or pony is initially losing internal fat which does not show on the outside.3 With longer-term use, the new BCI could also help owners to check their accuracy of body condition scoring and become more confident and efficient with it.

“Body condition scoring can be a very daunting and intimidating task for many horse owners,” said Amber Moffett, MS, PAS, research and development manager at Buckeye Nutrition. “The new body condition index is a very promising and exciting tool that will result in a more objective estimation of the horse’s percent body fat.

“This new method will be especially helpful when horses and ponies are examined by more than one person or by individuals who are not as experienced with the body condition scoring system,” she continued. “Utilizing this method, in conjunction with the traditional body condition scoring method, will make it easier for owners to more accurately monitor fat and manage weight loss programs for their horses.”

The WALTHAM Equine Studies Group, which provides science and researcher results to Buckeye Nutrition, has conducted more than 20 research projects over the past 10 years, looking at all aspects of laminitis including investigating the role that obesity can play in the development of the condition.

Researchers Find New Method for Monitoring Horses" Body Fat