An approach of estimating individual growth curves for young thoroughbred horses based on their birthdays.
Abstract: We propose an approach of estimating individual growth curves based on the birthday information of Japanese Thoroughbred horses, with considerations of the seasonal compensatory growth that is a typical characteristic of seasonal breeding animals. The compensatory growth patterns appear during only the winter and spring seasons in the life of growing horses, and the meeting point between winter and spring depends on the birthday of each horse. We previously developed new growth curve equations for Japanese Thoroughbreds adjusting for compensatory growth. Based on the equations, a parameter denoting the birthday information was added for the modeling of the individual growth curves for each horse by shifting the meeting points in the compensatory growth periods. A total of 5,594 and 5,680 body weight and age measurements of Thoroughbred colts and fillies, respectively, and 3,770 withers height and age measurements of both sexes were used in the analyses. The results of predicted error difference and Akaike Information Criterion showed that the individual growth curves using birthday information better fit to the body weight and withers height data than not using them. The individual growth curve for each horse would be a useful tool for the feeding managements of young Japanese Thoroughbreds in compensatory growth periods.
Publication Date: 2014-06-25 PubMed ID: 25013356PubMed Central: PMC4090356DOI: 10.1294/jes.25.29Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research presents a method for estimating individual growth curves of young thoroughbred horses based on their birthdays. The method takes into account the characteristic seasonal compensatory growth of these animals, showing improved fitting with body weight and withers height data.
Objective of the Research
- The researchers aimed to develop an improved model for predicting the growth curve of young Thoroughbred horses, offering a nuanced understanding of their compensatory growth patterns contingent on their specific birthdays.
Recognizing Seasonal Compensatory Growth
- The researchers acknowledged that compensatory growth in these horses primarily takes place in the winter and spring seasons.
- The point at which growth transitions from the winter pattern to the spring pattern appears to depend on the horse’s individual birthday.
Developing New Growth Curve Equations
- Previously, the researchers had devised new growth curve equations that accounted for these compensatory growth cycles, addressing an evident gap in the existing models.
- To augment these equations, they encapsulated the parameter denoting the horse’s birthday information to design individual growth curves for each horse. This birthday-inclusive growth model recognizes the particularity of shift points during the compensatory growth periods.
Model Validation
- To validate their growth models, 5,594 and 5,680 measurements of body weight and age of colts and fillies, respectively, and 3,770 withers height and age measurements for both sexes were analysed.
- The data were evaluated via the predicted error difference and Akaike Information Criterion parameters. The researchers established that the individual growth curves incorporating birthday information provided better results than those models that ignored birthday data.
Significance and Applications
- The study suggests that the individual growth curve for each horse could be an effective tool for managing feeds during compensatory growth periods, thus optimising the health, well-being, and performance of young Thoroughbreds.
Cite This Article
APA
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Murase H, Nambo Y, Inoue Y, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N.
(2014).
An approach of estimating individual growth curves for young thoroughbred horses based on their birthdays.
J Equine Sci, 25(2), 29-35.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.25.29 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
- The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
- JRA Facilities Co., Ltd., Tokyo 105-0004, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
- Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ishimaru M, Matsui A, Seki K, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Mizukami H, Yoshida T, Taya K. Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training.. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Nov 18;84(12):1585-1594.
- Tozaki T, Kikuchi M, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nagata SI. A genome-wide association study for body weight in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses clarifies candidate regions on chromosomes 3, 9, 15, and 18.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(4):127-134.
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