Body Condition Score in Danish Horses Related to Type, Use, and Training Level: Patterns, Risk, and Protective...

Area of Science:

• Equine Science
• Animal Husbandry
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Body condition scoring (BCS) in horses is a significant welfare concern.
• Variations in BCS, both above and below ideal, present distinct challenges.
• Accurate BCS assessment is vital for equine health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze body condition score (BCS) distribution in a large horse population.
• To identify factors influencing deviations from ideal BCS (scores 5-6).
• To investigate how different equine professionals encounter horses with varying BCS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a modified Henneke scoring system (1-9 scale) by trained professionals (veterinarians, farriers, trainers, DEF officials).
• Evaluated 78.6% of horses within the ideal BCS range (5-6).
• Analyzed BCS deviations based on horse type, age, training intensity, and discipline.

Main Results:

• 16.5% of horses were above ideal BCS, while 4.8% were below.
• Higher training intensity showed a protective effect against above-ideal BCS.
• Cold-blooded horses and traditional ponies had a higher risk of being above ideal BCS.
• Geriatric horses exhibited a wide range of BCS, both above and below ideal.
• Veterinarians assessed more horses with extreme BCS, farriers saw more above-ideal BCS, and officials observed mostly ideal BCS.

Conclusions:

• Horse type, age, and training significantly influence BCS.
• Higher training intensity may help prevent excessive weight gain.
• Different equine professionals encounter distinct BCS profiles in their caseloads.
• Targeted BCS management strategies are needed, considering horse characteristics and professional roles.