Journal of Equine Veterinary Science最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Breeding Values of Key Performance Traits in Iranian Crossbred (Thoroughbred × Turkmen) Racehorses.","authors":"M Taned, M B Zandi, M P Eskandari Nasab, A Khanteymoori","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate prediction of breeding values (BVs) is fundamental to genetic improvement in racehorses. Although single-trait mixed models (STM), typically implemented using BLUP-based procedures, remain the standard framework for genetic evaluation, machine learning (ML) methods offer a flexible, data-driven approach for learning complex relationships among phenotypic, environmental, and pedigree-derived information. These capabilities have encouraged researchers to explore the application of ML methods for predicting breeding values.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study compared the performance of 13 ML algorithms for predicting estimated breeding values (EBVs) of Race Completion Time (RCT), Rank at the End of Competition (REC), and Average Speed (AS) in Iranian crossbred racehorses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 55,070 race records from 5,296 horses were analyzed. Reference EBVs were estimated using single-trait mixed models (STM) fitted by maximum likelihood in Wombat. Thirteen ML algorithms, including linear regression models, tree-based ensembles, boosting methods, and artificial neural networks (ANNs), were trained using 75% of the data and evaluated on the remaining 25%. Predictive performance was assessed using accuracy, correlation, mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), bias, and dispersion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All ML models outperformed the conventional STM across the three traits. ANN consistently achieved the highest predictive performance, with accuracies of 0.63, 0.72, and 0.56 and correlations of 75%, 86%, and 71% for RCT, REC, and AS, respectively. XGBoost, LightGBM, Gradient Boosting and Random Forest also showed strong predictive ability, whereas linear models and distance-based methods exhibited comparatively lower performance. Prediction bias remained close to zero, and dispersion coefficients were generally close to unity across ML models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Machine learning, particularly ANN and boosting-based algorithms, substantially improved EBV prediction compared with the conventional STM. These findings demonstrate the potential of ML as a complementary tool for accelerating routine genetic evaluation and supporting more reliable selection decisions in horse breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106177"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149216208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multimodal characterization of equine synovitis: Correlation between arthroscopic, histopathological, and biomarker assessments in septic vs. aseptic cases.","authors":"A Charbonnel, C Thorin, S Allain, J Guicheux, M A Boutet, C de Fourmestraux","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endoscopy and synovial membrane histology are complementary modalities for evaluating synovial inflammation. Cytokine involvement in non-septic arthritis is well documented but remains poorly characterized in septic synovitis.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory cytokine profile associated with septic and non-septic synovitis and assess correlations among endoscopic, histological, and synovial fluid biomarker findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three groups were defined: horses undergoing elective or therapeutic endoscopy (Group 1, n=26), horses with confirmed septic synovitis (Group 2, n=25; 20 underwent endoscopic evaluation), and horses with perisynovial injuries without synovial involvement (Group 3, n=19). Synovial fluid was analysed for cell count, total protein, neutrophil percentage, and cytokine concentrations. Endoscopic and histological scores were assigned in Groups 1 and 2. Statistical analyses included non-parametric, correlation tests, and principal component analysis (PCA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Endoscopic and histological scores were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P=.004 and P=.006, respectively). Synovial fluid cellularity was significantly higher in Group 2 (median, 19,000 cells/µL; IQR, 11,800-81,930; P<.001). IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3, with IL-6 reaching a median concentration of 1,416.51 (IQR, 645.49-5,225.84) in Group 2. These four cytokines contributed most strongly to group discrimination in the PCA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Combining endoscopic and histological evaluation with cytokine profiling provided a more comprehensive assessment of septic synovitis. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 emerged as promising biomarkers of synovial sepsis.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149194584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Superior Post-Thaw Sperm Quality and Fertility of Epididymal Compared with Ejaculated Sperm in Subfertile Stallions.","authors":"Gabriel Augusto Monteiro, Yame Fabres Robaina Sancler-Silva, Fernanda Saules Ignácio, Felipe P Hartwig, Ian Martin, Camila P Freitas-Dell'Aqua, André M Crespilho, Viviane Maria Codognoto, Eunice Oba, Frederico Ozanam Papa","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the benefits of seminal plasma during breeding, its value is questionable when utilizing biotechnological approaches such as artificial insemination. In addition, deleterious effects of secretions from accessory glands on sperm viability and conception rate have been reported, especially in stallions with poor semen quality.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>The present study aimed to compare the kinetics, structural and functional viability, and fertility parameters of spermatozoa obtained from the ejaculate and from the cauda epididymis of subfertile stallions, as well as to evaluate the differences in the electrolyte composition of the seminal plasma of animals with high versus low fertility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The kinetic parameters of the sperm samples were evaluated by computerized analysis (CASA, HTM IVOS, Hamilton Thorne Research) and the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, sperm membrane peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, sperm capacitation, membrane phosphatidylserine translocation, and caspase activation by flow cytometry analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After thawing, epididymal sperm from subfertile stallions exhibited better sperm kinetics, structural and functional viability, and fertility than ejaculated sperm. Sodium concentration in seminal plasma was higher in subfertile than in fertile stallions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings support a potential association between the seminal environment and sperm function in subfertile stallions, although the specific contribution of seminal plasma and the components involved remain to be determined.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149165741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early pregnancy after embryo transfer in artificial-cycle and cycling recipient mares and donor embryo yield across calendar-defined periods: A five-year retrospective commercial study.","authors":"Casandra Guzmán Mota, Carlos Orlando Domínguez Maldonado, Jaime Domínguez Parra, Francisco Javier Gutiérrez Piña, Octavio Martínez Guerrero","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Seasonal reproductive inactivity may limit year-round equine embryo transfer (ET), although artificial-cycle protocols can expand recipient availability.</p><p><strong>Aims/objective: </strong>To compare early pregnancy after ET between artificial-cycle and cycling recipients and donor embryo yield per flush opportunity between calendar-defined pre-breeding and breeding periods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective records from a commercial ET program in Mexico (2021-2025) were analyzed. Early pregnancy was evaluated in 231 ET procedures using mixed-effects logistic regression with recipient status and year as fixed effects and recipient mare as a random intercept. Donor embryo yield was analyzed using Poisson generalized estimating equations with calendar period and year as fixed effects, donor mare as the clustering variable, and log(number of flush attempts) as an offset.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Early pregnancy was 74.5% (38/51) in artificial-cycle recipients and 65.0% (117/180) in cycling recipients. Recipient status was not associated with early pregnancy (P = 0.244), whereas year was associated with the outcome (P = 0.0019). Donor data comprised 67 donor-year records, 344 flush attempts, and 250 embryos. Embryo yield was 0.667 embryos/flush during the pre-breeding period and 0.777 embryos/flush during the breeding season. The adjusted rate ratio was 0.832 (95% CI, 0.668-1.036; P = 0.100). Within the pre-breeding period, yield was 0.633 embryos/flush in 2021-2023 and 0.701 embryos/flush in 2024-2025 (rate ratio, 1.160; 95% CI, 0.896-1.502; P = 0.259).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No statistically detectable difference in early pregnancy rate was observed between artificial-cycle and cycling recipients. No statistically detectable difference in donor embryo yield was observed between the calendar-defined periods after adjustment for flush opportunities.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149167122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterizing dietary and exercise management practices and inflammatory biomarkers in a population of recreationally managed horses in Pennsylvania.","authors":"S M Hall, M M Friend, D N Smarsh, W B Staniar","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106172","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Horses evolved as slow-moving grazers for 30 to 40 million years, but domesticated horses often consume greater quantities of grains and concentrates to foster athleticism. The changes in diet and exercise are hypothesized to increase the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions.</p><p><strong>Aims/objective: </strong>The objective was to characterize relationships between dietary and exercise management practices and acute phase proteins (APPs) in horses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We collected body condition scores, blood samples, and surveys of the horse management practices from 144 horses. Plasma serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and haptoglobin (Hp) were measured to investigate the relationship between management practices and APPs. Kruskal Wallis and post-hoc Dunn's tests were used, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data are presented as unit, median, interquartile range, and Kruskal-Wallis derived p-value, all separated by commas. The independent variables within parentheses are separated by semicolon(s). Serum amyloid A concentrations increased as exercise intensity increased from light to moderate to heavy, based on the 2007 National Research Council classifications (mg/L; 0.727, 0.312; 0.918, 0.642; 1.597, 0.559; P = 0.044). Horses offered cereal grain(s) had lower Hp (mg/L; 2510, 2530; 2886, 1976; P = 0.040). Horses offered hay had lower CRP (mg/L; 7.14, 8.04; 11.13, 16.66; P = 0.020). Exercised horses had higher concentrate (kg/day; 1.05, 2.2; 0.15, 1.90; P = 0.050) and total recorded diet weights (kg/day; 3.0, 2.21; 1.80, 4.20; P = 0.006) than those that were not exercised.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Common dietary and exercise management practices may alter APPs in horses.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of shod status on distal limb thermography in leisure horses.","authors":"M Lozano-Fuentes, C Bordin, M E Alonso, J M Lomillos-Pérez, F Suita, L Ozella","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated whether shod status affects distal limb surface temperature in 43 healthy leisure horses using infrared thermography. Thermographic images of 16 regions of interest were acquired at rest from shod (n=23) and barefoot horses (n=20), with temperatures corrected for ambient temperature and wind speed. Significant thermal differences existed between anatomical regions (P<0.001), with frogs coolest (28.6±1.6°C) and tarsi/coronal bands warmest (29.7±1.5°C). Shod vs barefoot status showed no overall temperature effect (P=0.29), except cooler right hind frogs in barefoot horses (28.1±1.3 vs 29.1±1.6°C, P=0.034). In multivariable mixed-effects analysis accounting for repeated measures, sex was the only significant predictor (geldings 0.8°C warmer than mares, P=0.048), while age was non-significant (P>0.7). These findings indicate shod status has minimal impact on resting distal limb thermography in leisure horses.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The use and perception of hay nets and slow feeders by horse owners and handlers: findings from a United Kingdom survey.","authors":"J Amaje, S Upton, U M Garba, K O Jolayemi","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106171","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hay nets and slow feeders are widely used in equine management, yet United Kingdom (UK) horse owners' perceptions of these devices are underexplored. An online cross-sectional survey (66 questions) was distributed via social media between 5 July and 6 August 2024, yielding 100 valid responses from UK horse owners. Data were analysed descriptively and using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. Hay nets only were used by 42 respondents, slow feeders only by 26, and both by 32. Safety concerns were reported by 43% of hay net users, most often entanglement and dental issues, although 81% used hay nets year-round. Most forum-active respondents (77.6%) believed information on safe use was insufficient, compared with 39.2% of non-participants (χ2=19.66, df=1, P < 0.001). Perceptions were largely positive: most respondents agreed both devices reduced forage wastage and extended feeding time. Improved device design and owner education may support safer use of both devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106171"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149127469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) immunohistochemical expression and clinicopathological features in equine melanoma.","authors":"J Pimenta, D Moreira, J Prada, L Monteiro, F Garcez, L Delgado, M Cotovio","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Equine melanoma is one of the most important oncological diseases in horses and exhibits a distinct biological behavior compared with melanoma in other species. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis in human and canine melanoma, but its expression in equine melanoma remains unknown.</p><p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>Evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9 in equine melanomas and investigate its association with clinicopathological features.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>68 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded equine melanomas from 48 gray horses were evaluated immunohistochemically for MMP-9 expression. Associations between MMP-9 expression and clinicopathological variables were assessed, including histological classification, tumor size, excision interval, ulceration, circumscription, tumor localization, and stromal immunolabeling. Statistical significance was considered when p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 69.1% of melanomas exhibited low MMP-9 expression, 27.9% high expression, and 2.9% were negative. Malignant melanomas exhibited significantly higher MMP-9 expression than benign tumors (p = 0.04). Medium-sized tumors showed significantly higher MMP-9 expression than small tumors (p = 0.02). MMP-9 immunolabeling was positively correlated with excision interval (p = 0.03), and longer excision intervals were associated with histological malignancy (p< 0.001). No significant associations were identified between MMP-9 expression and ulceration, tumor circumscription, horse age, tumor localization, or number of tumors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides the first immunohistochemical characterization of MMP-9 expression in equine melanoma. MMP-9 expression was predominantly low, but was significantly associated with histological malignancy, medium tumor size, and longer excision intervals. These findings may help to expand the current clinicopathological characterization of equine melanoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of track incline on musculoskeletal injuries in thoroughbred racehorses in training: A retrospective cohort study of fractures on flat and uphill woodchip surfaces.","authors":"Fumiaki Mizobe, Hiroshi Mita","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>While race-day musculoskeletal injuries are well-documented, a considerable gap exists regarding fractures sustained during training, where Thoroughbred racehorses accumulate the majority of their high-speed exercise. In Japan, compliant woodchip tracks are frequently used, and uphill track geometries are a foundational element of conditioning.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To quantify and describe the incidence and anatomical distribution of fractures occurring during training on flat versus uphill woodchip tracks over a 15-year period (2008-2022).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted using centralized records from the Japan Racing Association's Miho and Ritto Training Centers. Daily horse exposure was quantified utilizing an automated lap time measurement system and standardized visual counts. Fracture incidence was evaluated using a quasi-Poisson regression model and Relative Risk analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The quasi-Poisson regression model identified a lower incidence of fractures on the uphill track compared to the flat track (Incidence Rate Ratio = 0.359; 95% CI: 0.329-0.392; P < 0.001). When stratified by injury type, forelimb injuries (such as carpal chip and third metacarpal fractures) and hindquarter injuries (such as third metatarsal and pelvic fractures) demonstrated a consistently lower incidence rate on the uphill track geometries across both training facilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Uphill woodchip tracks are associated with a lower incidence of both forelimb and hindquarter training fractures compared to flat woodchip tracks. These distinct anatomical shifts in fracture occurrence highlight the biomechanical influence of track incline on cumulative microstructural damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Weigh tape more accurately estimates equine body weight than morphometric formula: A controlled technical assessment.","authors":"D Pizzigatti, B Inocente, L C L C Silva, I Alcántara","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106156","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate body weight (BW) estimation in horses is essential for clinical and nutritional management; however, calibrated scales are often unavailable under field conditions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the longitudinal accuracy and consistency of a commercial weigh tape and the Carroll and Huntington morphometric formula against calibrated digital scale measurements in adult horses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a prospective longitudinal experimental study, six clinically healthy adult crossbred horses (mean real body weight [Rbw] 355.5 ± 21.2 kg) were monitored weekly for 63 days under controlled management conditions. BW was measured using a calibrated digital scale (Rbw), a commercial weigh tape (Tape), and the Carroll and Huntington formula (Formula). Agreement, estimation error, and variability between methods were evaluated using mixed-effects regression models and correlation analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean Rbw increased from 355.5 ± 21.2 kg at baseline to 372.7 ± 27.0 kg at day 63 (+17.2 kg; +4.83 %). Both indirect methods overestimated BW throughout the study period; however, Tape estimates showed lower mean overestimation (+2.48 %) than Formula estimates (+9.89 %). The minimum estimation error for Tape decreased from 8.33 kg at baseline to 5.66 kg at day 63, whereas Formula errors remained consistently higher (37.2-45.6 kg). Correlation with scale measurements was stronger for Tape (r = 0.916) than for Formula (r = 0.821). Mixed-effects models demonstrated lower variability and improved temporal consistency for Tape estimates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both indirect methods remained within clinically acceptable estimation limits; however, the commercial weigh tape provided greater accuracy, lower variability, and better longitudinal consistency than the morphometric formula under controlled conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":" ","pages":"106156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149061894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}