Healthy Horse App for Smartphones - Review – Review by Donna Edwards
Have you ever wondered just how much your horse weighs?
Knowing how much your horse weighs is important for determining the amount of feed to give them, as well as calculating dosages for medications.
The Healthy Horse App estimates the body weight of adult Arabians, stock horse breeds, saddle horse breeds, ponies and miniature horses using equations developed through research by the University of Minnesota.
After opening the app, simply touch the screen to go to the Horse Type screen. You begin by selecting the breed category of your horse. I chose “Stock” because my horse is a Paint. That takes you to the next screen where you enter your horse’s measurements in inches: Height, girth circumference, body length and neck circumference. The diagram on the screen shows you where to take the measurements. Press “Calculate” and you are taken to the next screen that gives you your horse’s Estimated Body Weight (lbs), Estimated Ideal Body Weight (lbs) and their Body Weight Score (percentile).
Knowing how much your horse weighs is important for determining the amount of feed to give them, as well as calculating dosages for medications.
The Healthy Horse App estimates the body weight of adult Arabians, stock horse breeds, saddle horse breeds, ponies and miniature horses using equations developed through research by the University of Minnesota.
After opening the app, simply touch the screen to go to the Horse Type screen. You begin by selecting the breed category of your horse. I chose “Stock” because my horse is a Paint. That takes you to the next screen where you enter your horse’s measurements in inches: Height, girth circumference, body length and neck circumference. The diagram on the screen shows you where to take the measurements. Press “Calculate” and you are taken to the next screen that gives you your horse’s Estimated Body Weight (lbs), Estimated Ideal Body Weight (lbs) and their Body Weight Score (percentile).
Most horses between the 48th and 83rd percentile are at a healthy body weight. Most horses with a body weight score below the 48th percentile are underweight; those above the 84th percentile are overweight. Scores significantly under the 48th percentile or over the 83rd percentile are significantly underweight or overweight, respectively.
There is a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen that encourages you to have your horse examined by a veterinarian or other equine professional that is experienced in body weight estimation and body condition scoring.
The app was developed by the University of Minnesota and is being sold by the Regents of the U of M. Cost? Only $1.99.
Summary: The research done by the University of Minnesota has resulted in calculations that are much more accurate at estimating your horse’s weight than the old “weight tapes” we all have kicking around our tack rooms. The app is easy to use. I have read a couple reviews that complain that the measurements aren’t clearly defined, so I emailed their support person, Krishona Martinson, and received an answer within minutes that explained that “The body length measurement is taken from the point of shoulder to a line perpendicular to the point of the buttock.”
My rating: **** (4 plus stars)
The only reason I didn’t give the app 5 stars is because I don’t have a scale to verify that the weight is reasonably accurate (however, that really isn’t fair to the app). This app is a bargain at $1.99.
The cost of the app from the App Store is $1.99. It is currently available for iPhone and iPad and can be purchased at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/healthy-horse/id644334127?ls=1&mt=8.
There is a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen that encourages you to have your horse examined by a veterinarian or other equine professional that is experienced in body weight estimation and body condition scoring.
The app was developed by the University of Minnesota and is being sold by the Regents of the U of M. Cost? Only $1.99.
Summary: The research done by the University of Minnesota has resulted in calculations that are much more accurate at estimating your horse’s weight than the old “weight tapes” we all have kicking around our tack rooms. The app is easy to use. I have read a couple reviews that complain that the measurements aren’t clearly defined, so I emailed their support person, Krishona Martinson, and received an answer within minutes that explained that “The body length measurement is taken from the point of shoulder to a line perpendicular to the point of the buttock.”
My rating: **** (4 plus stars)
The only reason I didn’t give the app 5 stars is because I don’t have a scale to verify that the weight is reasonably accurate (however, that really isn’t fair to the app). This app is a bargain at $1.99.
The cost of the app from the App Store is $1.99. It is currently available for iPhone and iPad and can be purchased at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/healthy-horse/id644334127?ls=1&mt=8.