Body weight estimation in mules by a horse weight tape provided an estimated value close to a real body weight obtained from a digital scale
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Abstract
Accuracy of body weight estimation is crucial for equine practitioners. Medical administration and nutritional management need animal body weight (BW) for calculation. Scale is the most reliable method for obtaining BW, but in the field where a scale is not available, weight estimation methods such as using weight tape, using weight equation, or visual estimation are commonly used. Several methods of estimation on horses BW had been studied, but none of which in the mules in Thailand has been published. This article described mule’s body weight estimation using fifty-four mules, aged between 2.5-4 years old, both male and female. The body weights obtained from a digital scale were used for references. Four BW estimation methods including horse weight tape (HWT), cattle weight tape, weight estimation equation for horse, and weight estimation equation for donkey were performed to compare their values to the real BW. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE) related to BW from the scale were calculated for each BW estimation method. The results showed that HWT have the least MAPE, which can be implied that it is the most accurate method for body weight estimation. In addition, three equations for mule BW estimation based on the thoracic circumference and the body length were also proposed in this study
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