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A simple field technique for estimation of body surface area in horses and ponies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

JC Sneddon ,
R Walton  and
A Bond
JC Sneddon*
Affiliation:
School of Biological & Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
R Walton
Affiliation:
Woodville Riding School and Boarding Kennels, Raby Road, Thornton Hough, Wirral, UK
A Bond
Affiliation:
14 Cooper Road, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 6RX, UK
*
*[email protected]
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Abstract

This study aimed to produce a weight-independent algorithm for determination of body surface area (BSA; cm2) to within 5% accuracy of the directly determined value in selected horses and ponies under field conditions. Quantification of BSA in equines has applications in the fields of energy budgeting, growth, thermoregulation, conformation and drug kinetics. A simple algorithm for determining BSA to ±5% accuracy was produced for Shetland ponies, Shire horses, Welsh Mountain Section A ponies and Hanoverian mature horses and foals. The accuracy of the method was ±8% for Welsh Mountain-type ponies and Hanoverian two-year-olds. The data were produced by tiling of the shoulder region on one side of the animal with chalk and adapting a simple geometrical integrative technique. Linear anthropometric measurements were of limited use in predicting BSA in that they produced algorithms of ±5% accuracy for ponies of uniform conformation only (Welsh Mountain Section A ponies). The relevant equations were:for Arab-based breeds (Welsh Mountain-type and Section A ponies and Hanoverian horses and foals) andfor UK native breeds (Shetland ponies and Shire horses), where ‘surface area of shoulder region on one side’ was defined by the anterior margins of the supraspinatus and deep pectoral, and the posterior margin of the triceps muscles. This tiling procedure fulfilled the aim of the study and also provided quantitative information on proportional differences in areas of body regions between and within these selected breeds.

Keywords

horsessurface areameasurement
Type
Research Article
Information
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , February 2004 , pp. 51 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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