Morphometry as an assessment tool for overweight/obesity in Raza Chilena stallions

Introduction

Obesity/overweight is an abnormal/excessive fat accumulation representing a health risk that affects humans and domestic animals. In horses and ponies prevalence ranges from 23-70%, and up to 79.6% in Raza Chilena horses (Wyse et al 2008; Robin et al 2015; Jensen et al 2016; Potter et al 2016). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of overweight/obesity over some morphologic parameters in Raza Chilena stallions.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-nine Raza Chilena stallions (5-21 years), weighting 404±14,01kg, and mean height (H) of 139,8±1,3cm, were included. Body condition score (BCS, Henneke et al 1983), cresty neck score (CNS, Carter et al 2009), body and neck measurements were obtained, and some ratios were calculated. Stallions were allocated into three groups: Control (C): BCS7 (n=12), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) positive glucose test (n=9).

Results

Abdominal perimeter (AP) was larger in EMS and O groups compared to C and medium neck circumference (MNC) was larger in EMS stallions (p<0.05). Neck crest was higher in O and EMS stallions compared to C (p<0,05). AP:H ratio was higher in EMS and O stallions compared to C. MNC:neck length and MNC:H ratios were larger in EMS stallions compared to O and C groups. C stallions showed lower values of Girth:H ratio compared to O and EMS. CNS was 2,86, 3,08 and 3,26 for C, EMS, and O groups, respectively

Discussion/Conclusions

Easier methods to identify horses at obesity risk and metabolic problems could improve health/welfare. EMS status had an effect over AP, therefore could be a useful measurement to obtain, like MNC. G:H ratio >1,21 could indicate overweight/obesity (Jensen et al 2016), observed in this study. AP:H could be an adequate ratio to assess adiposity in stallions (Carter et al 2009). 

References

Acknowledgement to Morris Animal Foundation funding (D20EQ-801).

References

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