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Estimating Fatness in Horses and Ponies

Cornell University¹, Ithaca, New York 14853

Abstract

The relationship of ultrasonic measurements to actual fat cover, the value of such measurements for the prediction of total body fat, and the effect of exercise and level of diet intake on fat cover were studied in horses and ponies in four trials. In trial 1 eight ponies were allowed feed ad libitum and seven ponies were fed a limited amount of the same diet for 41/2 months. Ultrasonic rump fat thickness was highly correlated (r = .85), with actual rump fat thickness. The ponies fed ad libitum had greater live weights and rib and rump fat thickness than ponies fed restricted amounts. Twelve horses were evaluated by ultrasound for fat thickness over the shoulder, rib and rump after 0, 30 and 90 days of exercise in the second trial. Shoulder fat and rump fat decreased after 30 days, although rib fat and body weight did not change.

In a third experiment, eight horses were evaluated for fat thickness by ultrasound, then slaughtered and analyzed for chemically ex-tractable fat. Rump and shoulder fat were correlated with extractable fat, (r = .93 and r = .71, respectively). The relationship between rump fat determined ultrasonically (X, cm) and extractable fat (Y, %) was described by the equation: Y = 8.64 + 4.70 X (r² = .86).

Ultrasonic measurements were made at 30 and 80 days on five exercised and six control ponies in a fourth experiment. The animals were slaughtered and extractable fat determined. Rib fat, rump fat thickness and extract-able fat were lower for the exercised than control groups. The relationship between rump fat (X, cm) and extractable fat (Y, %) was described by the equation: Y = 3.83 + 5.58X (r² = .64).

It was concluded that fat cover in horses and ponies can be estimated by ultrasound and that rump fat measurement is useful in the prediction of total body fat.

¹ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Animal Science.

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