Bodyweight Estimation From Linear Measures of Growing Warmblood Horses by a Formula

作者：Coudkova Veronika^*; Sachello Vincent; Sterbova Hana; Kleinova Anna; Papouskova Zita; Marsalek Miroslav; Kovanda Jan

来源：Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2016, 36: 63-68.

DOI：10.1016/j.jevs.2015.09.010

• Weight estimation
• Estimation formula
• Warmblood horse
• Growth

Formulas for the estimation of bodyweight (BW) are generally used when no scale is available. The objective of this study was to develop a suitable formula for the BW estimation of warmblood horses of different age that were based on linear relations. Five hundred twenty-four warmblood horses from 97 to 1,290 days were weighed, and 13 body measurements, BW, and body mass index were taken. Because of the closest linear correlation with weight, four measurements were selected for weight estimation: body length (BL), heart girth (HG), sternum height (SH), and front pelvis width (FPW). The formula value = [(2 x SH + HG) x 2 x BL x BL x FPW]/10,000,000 was developed from the four selected parameters. Taking into account the variable growth intensity during horse maturation, four age groups with boundary values of 365, 650, and 950 days were created. Using the coefficients of linear correlation between the value and actual weight, the formula for BW estimation was adjusted for each age group: mass = coefficient_1 x value + coefficient_2 (horse age < 365 days: coefficient_1 = 4.46, coefficient_2 = 91.12; 365 days < horse age < 650 days: coefficient_1 = 3.83, coefficient_2 = 135.87; 651 days < horse age < 950 days: coefficient_1 = 3.60, coefficient_2 = 168.09; horse age > 950 days: coefficient_1 = 3.23, coefficient_2 = 221.55). In comparison with past BW estimation formulas, the new equation is the most suitable for BW estimation in warmblood horses of different age (P value < .001).

• 出版日期2016-1