The Influence of Body Measurements and Condition Score on Performance Results during the 1998 Tevis Cup

Body measurements and performance results were collected from 193 equids participating in the 1998 Western States Trail Ride's 100-mile endurance race, commonly known as the Tevis Cup. Age of equids (horses, mules and ponies) were 5 to 21 years and body condition scores (CS) (NRC, 1989) ranged from 2.5 to 5.5. Equids were assessed for CS 11 to 18 hours prior to the race. Rider weight and tack (RW) were weighed using a digital scale. Body weights of horses (BW) were estimated from heart girth circumference, body length and condition score data. Cannon bone circumference (CBC) was measured midway between carpal-metacarpal and metacarpal-phalangeal joints. Miles completed, times and finishing place of horses that completed the race, miles completed by horses that did not complete the race, and horses that were disqualified (identified as lame, metabolic failure, rider option or overtime) were procured from official records compiled by race management. Total ride weight (TRW) consisted of BW plus RW. BW, RW, TRW and CBC did not differ between equids that completed or did not complete the race (P>.05). The rider's weight as a proportion of the horse's body weight (RW/BW) for animals disqualified for metabolic failure was higher than those that completed the race. Animals that completed the Tevis Cup had a significantly higher CS than those equids that were disqualified for metabolic failure (4.5 vs <3.5)(P<.01). However, there was no difference between the CS of those disqualified for other reasons, including lameness.