Patterns of growth and development in warmblood horses

Fradinho, M.J.; Costa, A.L.; Maerten, C.; Fangueiro, L.; Bliebernicht, M.; Vicente, António

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4995

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Abstract(s)

Introduction: Non-linear functions have been used to characterize growth and development in some horse breeds. These functions adjust better to data and may have an easier biological interpretation. The objective of the present study was to characterize growth and development patterns in a population of warmblood horses (Hanoverian and Oldenburg breeds), from birth to 5 years of age. Materials and methods: A total of 2,852 records for body weight (BW), withers height (WH), girth (G) and cannon circumference (CC) were obtained from 81 foals (42 colts; 39 fillies) born and raised in a reference stud-farm in the south of France. Data were regularly collected between birth and 5 years of age, when horses were already on regular work. Several sigmoid growth functions were adjusted to BW, WH, G and CC data sets using the NLIN procedures of SAS. However, the Richards equation y = A(1 – b.exp(-kt))M was chosen for further analysis because it was the best fit model for all the variables. The effect of sex was also evaluated. Results: The mature BW was 619.4±18.6 kg and the mature size was 172.6±1.6 cm for WH, 198.8±2.2 cm for G and 21.0±0.2 cm for CC. According to average values found in literature, the proportions (%) of mature BW at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of age were, respectively, 40, 56, 75, 86 and 92 %. The proportions (%) of mature WH considered in the breeding programs for the two breeds, at the same ages were 82, 89, 95, 99 and 100%. In the present study, sexual dimorphism was not observed for WH. However, significant differences were found between males and females (P<0.001) in what concerns BW, G and CC models. Growth rates were in the range of those found for a moderate growth in other sport breeds. Conclusion: Growth and development in the warmblood horse can be accurately described by non linear functions.

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Keywords

body weight withers height girth cannon circumference growth non-linear functions

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http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4995

Citation

Fradinho, M.J.; Costa, A.L.; Maerten, C.; Fangueiro, L.; Bliebernicht, M. & Vicente, A. (2024). Patterns of growth and development in warmblood horses. Proceedings of the 11th European Workshop on Equine Nutrition, July 1st – 4th 2024, Oslo, Norway. p. 42.