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United States: British Equine Veterinary Association
Erscheinungsjahr
2015
Quelle
MEDLINE
Beschreibungen/Notizen
REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: Few data are available on the prevalence of obesity in the general equine population of Great Britain (GB), and its associated risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of owner‐reported obesity in veterinary‐registered horses and ponies in GB, and identify factors associated with obesity. STUDY DESIGN: A cross‐sectional survey of horse/pony owners in GB was undertaken using a postal questionnaire. METHODS: Thirty veterinary practices randomly selected horse/pony owners to complete a self‐administered postal questionnaire. Owners estimated body condition score using a modified Carroll and Huntington method (1–6 scale), and animals were classified as obese if they were scored as either 5 (fat) or 6 (very fat). Factors associated with obesity were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity was 31.2% (n = 247/792; 95% confidence interval [CI] 27.9–34.2%). Factors associated with increased odds of obesity were breed (P<0.001), ease of maintaining weight (P<0.001) and primary use (P = 0.002). Compared to Thoroughbreds, draught‐type (odds ratio [OR] 7.3; 95% CI 3.1–17.1), cob‐type (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.5–12.5), native (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.8–5.78) and Welsh breeds (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.9–6.2) were more likely to be obese. Animals described as ‘good doers’ were more likely to be obese than those described as readily maintaining normal weight (OR 3.7; 95% CI 2.6–5.3). Compared to competition animals, animals used for pleasure riding (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.4–4.4) and nonridden animals (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.5–5.5) were more likely to be obese. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of at‐risk breeds and other horse‐ and management‐level risk factors for obesity will enable optimal targeting of owner education regarding management strategies to reduce the frequency of equine obesity.