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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Evaluations of Morphometric Traits and Body Conformation Ind...
Veterinary medicine and science2024; 10(6); e70114; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70114

Evaluations of Morphometric Traits and Body Conformation Indices of Horse Ecotypes Reared in the Highlands of Bale Eco-Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract: Morphometric traits discrepancies are associated with production, reproduction, adaptation and behaviours in horses. It also determines the design of harnessing implements, physical injury level and working performance of the native horses. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate morphometric traits and body conformation indices of horse ecotypes reared across four districts of Bale Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: Data of croup height, croup length, hip height, mid-back height, wither height, hip width, thoracic depth, chest width, body length, sternum height, thorax perimeter and cannon perimeter were measured in 500 horses (294 male and 206 female). Using those traits, 17 body conformation indices were calculated to define the horses for multi-faceted performances. Results: The study revealed that croup height, hip height, wither height, hip width, croup length, body length, thorax perimeter and sternum height were significantly (p < 0.0001) different among the studied districts. The district effect was also significant at p < 0.05 for mid-back height, thoracic depth, chest width and cannon perimeter. The sexual dimorphism effect was statistically significant for all measured traits; however, females were inferior to males except for cannon perimeter. Body conformation indices of pelvic index, body index, transversal pelvic index and weight were highly significant (p < 0.0001) among the studied districts. The sex dimorphism effect was significant (p 0.05) for the remaining indices. The studied horses were classified as mediline, elipometric, light, small and suitable riding ecotypes with a medium-conforming body structure and good capacity for carrying loads on carts and backs for functional effectiveness. The correlations of body conformation indices ranged from very high to low, with positive and negative associations for functional capabilities. Conclusions: Therefore, selection for improvement needs to rank morphometric traits and body conformation indices in correlation to developing racing and modern sport horses in the highlands of the Bale eco-regions. Further, molecular studies will be essential to determine whether the predominated phenotypic multiplicity is genetic or environmentally progressed.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-06 PubMed ID: 39501603PubMed Central: PMC11538250DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70114Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on assessing the differences in body shape and size traits, namely morphometric traits and body conformation indices, among horse ecotypes from various regions in Bale, Ethiopia to better understand their performance capabilities, adaptability, and potential for improvement.

Study Setup

  • The study was conducted across four districts in the Bale Zone of Ethiopia, focusing on the native horses in this highland region.
  • Measurements were taken from 500 horses, including both males and females, considering a range of traits like height, length, width, and depth at various points of the body.
  • Based on these measurements, 17 body conformation indices were calculated. These indices are essentially ratios that define the horses’ shape and size in multi-dimensional terms, providing a clear picture of their physical structure.

Results

  • The research found significant differences in most of the measured traits among the horses from the different districts studied. The same was observed for body conformation indices where pelvic index, body index, transversal pelvic index, and weight were highly significant.
  • Sexual dimorphism also played a key role, with significant differences observed for all measured traits and specific indices between male and female horses. Notably, females generally had lower values than males, except for cannon perimeter, a measure of a horse’s leg thickness.
  • The horses were categorized as mediline, elipometric, light, small and suitable riding ecotypes with a medium-conforming body structure and good load-bearing capacity.

Impact and Future Work

  • The correlations between the different conformation indices ranged from very high to low, indicating a mixed-bag of positive and negative interactions.
  • The study concluded that any selection or breeding programs aiming to improve these horses’ traits should bear in mind these correlations and the importance of morphometric traits and body conformation indices, suggesting a focus on developing sport and racing horses in this region.
  • Additionally, the research suggests future molecular studies to delve into whether the observed phenotypic diversity in these horses is more due to genetic variations or environmental factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Guyo M, Tareke M, Tonamo A, Bediye D, Defar G. (2024). Evaluations of Morphometric Traits and Body Conformation Indices of Horse Ecotypes Reared in the Highlands of Bale Eco-Region, Ethiopia. Vet Med Sci, 10(6), e70114. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70114

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: e70114
PII: e70114

Researcher Affiliations

Guyo, Mesay
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Madda Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.
Tareke, Melaku
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Madda Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.
Tonamo, Andualem
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Madda Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.
Bediye, Diriba
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Madda Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.
Defar, Girma
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Madda Walabu University, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ethiopia
  • Male
  • Female
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Ecotype
  • Sex Characteristics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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