Dynamics of Several Morphological Traits in Shagya Arabian Broodmares

Abstract

The study aimed to present the dynamics of the height at withers, heart girth, and cannon girth of Shagya Arabian broodmares included in the Rădăuți stud's broodstock between 1989 and 2018. The purpose was to observe the population's evolution over time, considering that the breeding objectives included increasing the average values of these measurements, which were followed in ranking activities. The average height values ranged between 154.3±0.261 cm (2012) and 154.80±0.258 cm (2002 and 1994). The minimum average value of the thoracic girth was recorded in 1992 (176.2±0.885 cm), and the maximum was in 1989 (177.1±0.777 cm). The average values of the cannon girth registered the minimum in 1998 at 18.7±0.19 cm and the maximum in 1989 at 18.9±0.70 cm. Comparing the results with the breeding objectives (height at withers of 156 cm, heart circumference of 176 cm, and cannon girth of 19.5 cm), it was observed that only the heart girth had the targeted value. This highlights the importance of continuing the breeding process to achieve all the desired objectives.

Keywords

• broodmares, cannon girth, heart girth, height, shagya arabian