CONFORMATION INDEX OF HORSES OF DIFFERENT GENETIC GROUPS

Abstract Any equestrian activity requires horses with proper fitness, which can be identified through body conformation (BC), calculated by combined biometric measurements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the BC of 86 horses belonging to genetic groups (GG): Crioulo (CR), Brazilian Equestrian (BE), Arabian (ARB), Quarter Horse (QH), Thoroughbred (THO), and a crossbred group with small stature, named as Petiço (PE). We evaluated the relationship between shoulder and withers, estimated body weight, length, weight, weight relative, conformation, compactness and load 1 and 2, load on leg and dactyl-thoracic. The variation sources in the model were the effects of gender, GG, and the interaction GG*gender; the correlation between BC; principal components analysis, preparing a scatter plot with biplot to verify the distribution of GG in relation to the BC; cluster to check distance between GG. The variation sources affected BC (P<0.05). PE was considered elipometric, while the others were eumetric. THO was considered of medium shape, and the others as having small shape. Horses THO, QH, PE were qualified for activities with saddle up to light traction, and the rest of horses from saddle to heavy traction. Horses BE and ARB had greater capacity to support weight without overexertion on the back, working step and gallop. There were greater similarities between QM and CR, and lower among PE and the other GGs.