Weight tapes can provide readings as much as 20% off, a research has discovered, and customarily underestimate equine body weight, inflicting considerations about weight problems.

Feed producer Dengie carried out the preliminary research evaluating accuracy of three weight tapes and evaluating values to weighbridge readings. The preliminary discovering is that values differ by 20% or extra, “typically underestimating body weight, particularly on larger horses”.

In a survey of 650 individuals in 2021, Dengie discovered that 72% used weight tapes on their horses.

“Common monitoring is essential as a part of a weight administration plan to assist horse homeowners observe modifications of their horses’ body weight,” a Dengie spokesman stated. “If tapes are typically underestimating a horse’s weight it might be contributing to the difficulties horse homeowners have in recognising weight problems, which is why Dengie needed to discover this space additional.”

For the research, the staff checked out 29 horses, from 13hh to 17.2hh with physique situation scores of between 2.5 and 4.5 on the five-point scale.

“Bigger horses tended to be underestimated to a larger extent than ponies, with the most important distinction recorded for a 17.2hh mare who was 138kg much less on one weight tape studying in comparison with the weighbridge, a 21% distinction,” the spokesman stated. “The closest weight tape studying was nonetheless 104kg lower than her precise body weight.”

Overestimation of weight was much less frequent; solely 5 readings have been larger than the precise worth. This was in step with the outcomes of a 2023 research by Grimwood et al, which used just one weight tape.

“Totally different tapes have been discovered to differ by as much as 10% of their readings for a similar horse on the identical time, which might equate to a distinction of 50kg for a 500kg horse,” the Dengie spokesman stated. “Though the research was carried out on a comparatively small scale, it supplies additional help for the significance of horse homeowners utilizing the identical tape each time when monitoring modifications in body weight.”

Additional work is deliberate, particularly accuracy of tapes for these which are chubby.

Katie Williams, technical and product growth supervisor at Dengie, advised H&H: “The important thing takeaway from the outcomes now we have to date is {that a} weight tape is prone to underestimate your horse’s weight, particularly you probably have a big horse. Weight taping remains to be worthwhile in relation to weight administration because the relative modifications present priceless perception as as to if they’re gaining or losing a few pounds.

“You probably have a extremely giant horse, keep in mind that the tape may be underestimating them considerably sufficient to have an impact when figuring out how a lot to feed or utilizing a wormer. When you can, use a weighbridge and evaluate to your tape so you possibly can see how far out it’s. Search recommendation from related professionals when you suspect your tape may not be correct.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by means of to worldwide championships.