engleski

Investigations on standardizing evaluation of external conformation traits by cold-blooded horses in Croatia

Cold-blooded horses in Croatia belong to the group of autochthonous endangered breeds whose preservation is financially supported by authorised state institutions. The cold-blooded group of horses in Croatia has been differentiated in three breeds: Croatia cold-blooded horse, Muinsulaner horse and Posavina horse. The population consolidation started fifteen years ago since breeds were badly structured and intercrossed. The aim of the research is to establish conformation features of the mentioned three cold-blooded breeds of horses in order to determine the actual condition, noticing progress in relation to previous researches, i.e. further direction of breeding. Apart from measuring 11 body measures of a horse, the method of linear evaluation of conformation features (39 features) and the evaluation of walk (at the hand) according to video tapes, has been used. The research confirmed the significant difference in expressiveness of body measures of Posavina horse in relation to populations of the Croatian cold-blooded and Međimurje horse. Smaller number of linear evaluations of conformation features has been significantly different on a breed level. The significant population difference in a walk length was determined by movement analysis, but not also in the leg movement action. The researched showed certain significant interbreed differences regarding the expressiveness of part of body measures and conformation features and the walk length. The established ideas will be implemented in the breeding programmes for further breed consolidation and profiling.

Cold-blooded horses; autochthonous breeds; conformation traits; standardizing

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