Prevalence of obesity and owners’ perceptions of body condition in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity within a population of pleasure horses and ponies in Victoria, Australia, and to compare owners’ perceptions of their animals’ body condition with researchers’ assessments. Design: An observational study plus owner questionnaire. Methods: Ten Pony Club rallies in different regions of Victoria were attended. Information regarding 229 horses and ponies were obtained from owner questionnaires, and owners’ perceptions of the current body condition of their animals were assessed using a visual analogue scale. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed by the researchers using the modified Henneke method. Results: The prevalence of researcher-assessed..