To start with, for an accurate measurement it is presumed that the animal can be handled in order to be positioned correctly. Secondly is measuring accurately at the proper place on the animal and with the proper measuring tool. The first issue is where to measure your animal accurately. The correct and acceptable standard place for measuremnt on a mini zebu is directly behind the hump, not on top of the hump. Additionally, the center of the back or halfway down the length of the back is not correct, since in many cases, an animal will "flinch down" when this area is touched. They do this because their backs are considered to be "predator targets" where a feline would choose to attack. The second issue is where and how to stand your animal for an accurate measurement. The animal should be on a level surface, either concrete, hard packed soil, or in a trailer with a level floor. Your animal should be standing squarely with its head in a neutral position if possible. It may take several measurements to obtain the correct one. If a zebu is standing on a soft or unlevel surface, or cannot be approached, then the measurement will be inaccurate. In addition, until an animal has a permanent registration number from the registry, it is generally assumed that the zebu is still growing and the height is not placed on the papers for this reason. The final height of any animal would therefore only be speculation until such time that growth is complete, usually at around three years of age. The most widely used and accepted measuring instrument is a measuring stick, usually made of wood, resembling a T-square that slides up and down on the verticle, which is then placed GENTLY on the animals back behind the hump. Once all this is accomplished you can rest assured that you have a true and accurate measurement of your mini zebu.
Determining the height of your Mini Zebu
SCR
By: Rosemary Meding