Abstract
A body condition index for equines was proposed by Potter et al in 2015. This index showed, as the Henneke body condition score, a high correlation with the estimation of body fat content by the deuterium oxide dilution method. The purpose of this research was to validate the index by Potter as an objective method to estimate body fat content in Thoroughbred racing horses in competition, through its correlation with the Henneke score modified by Koehne (1992). Fifty Thoroughbred racing horses in training were used (2 stallions, 26 geldings and 22 mares) between 3 to 9 year old. Modified Henneke body condition score was estimated for each horse, along their height at withers, neck circumference, heart girth and belly girth were measured to calculate the body condition index. Measurements were compared between sexes by analysis of variance and Tukey test. Pearson correlation was calculated between the modified Henneke body condition score and the body condition index. The body condition index showed a high correlation with the modified Henneke body condition score in Thoroughbred racing horses (r=0.922, p<0.00001). This study suggests that the body condition index is a good method to estimate the modified Henneke body condition score in Thoroughbred racing horses in training.References
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Keywords
body condition index
body measurement
Thoroughbred racing horses
equines