FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Physicochemical properties of meat of Italian Heavy Draft ho...
Journal of animal science2008; 86(5); 1205-1214; doi: 10.2527/jas.2007-0629

Physicochemical properties of meat of Italian Heavy Draft horses slaughtered at the age of eleven months.

Abstract: To investigate rheological and chemical characteristics of the meat from Italian Heavy Draft horse, 24 foals (12 males and 12 females) were weaned at 6 mo, reared and fed in the same way, and slaughtered at 11 mo of age. The results obtained showed that there were no significant differences between the sexes but that the muscle type is a significant variation source. The rectus femoris muscle was lighter, and the biceps femoris had a lower a* index than longissimus dorsii, rectus femoris, and semimembranosus muscle. The most tender muscle was the semitendinosus, and the toughest even after cooking was the biceps femoris. The male animals had a greater protein and lipid percentage. The acidic composition of the intramuscular fat showed a greater presence of MUFA (P < 0.05) in the females and of PUFA (P < 0.01) in the males. Colorimetry analysis of the subcutaneous and perirenal fat from these animals indicated the unfavorable yellow color seen in adult animals had not yet been acquired. The meat produced had low redness due to the low myoglobin content and high lightness. Besides, the low collagen content and its high solubility indicates an appreciable tenderness. The high level of unsaturation of the intramuscular fat resulted in a high ratio of unsaturated to saturated fat, making horse meat favorable from a health point of view.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2008-02-01 PubMed ID: 18245501DOI: 10.2527/jas.2007-0629Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 looked into the physical and chemical properties of the meat of Italian Heavy Draft horses slaughtered at 11 months. The study revealed differences between meat properties based on horse sex and muscle type, with no significant gender-related differences but distinct variations among muscle types.

Research Method

  • The study involved 24 foals (12 males and 12 females) of the Italian Heavy Draft horse breed. These were weaned at 6 months, reared, and fed in the same conditions until they were slaughtered at 11 months of age.
  • The researchers then analyzed the rheological (how the matter deforms and flows in response to stress) and chemical attributes of the meat derived from these horses.

Key Findings

  • Different muscles exhibited different properties. For example, the rectus femoris muscle was lighter while the biceps femoris had a lower a* index (a measure of redness) compared to other muscles like the longissimus dorsii, semimembranosus muscle, and the semitendinosus.
  • The most tender muscle was observed to be the semitendinosus. Conversely, biceps femoris was found to be the toughest even after cooking.
  • Male horses were found to have a higher percentage of protein and lipids in their meat.
  • In terms of the composition of intramuscular fat, female horses exhibited a higher presence of Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA), and male horses had a higher presence of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA).
  • The subcutaneous and perirenal fat from these animals did not display the unfavorable yellow color typically seen in adult horses.
  • The meat of these horses was characterized by low redness, attributable to low myoglobin content, and high lightness.
  • The collagen content of the meat was low, but it displayed high solubility, indicating appreciable tenderness.
  • The high degree of unsaturated intramuscular fat led to a favorable health-related ratio of unsaturated to saturated fats.

Cite This Article

APA
Tateo A, De Palo P, Ceci E, Centoducati P. (2008). Physicochemical properties of meat of Italian Heavy Draft horses slaughtered at the age of eleven months. J Anim Sci, 86(5), 1205-1214. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2007-0629

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 86
Issue: 5
Pages: 1205-1214

Researcher Affiliations

Tateo, A
  • Department of Public Health and Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine S.P. per Casamassima, km 3. 70010, Valenzano (BA), Italy.
De Palo, P
    Ceci, E
      Centoducati, P

        MeSH Terms

        • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
        • Animals
        • Animals, Newborn
        • Body Composition / physiology
        • Colorimetry / veterinary
        • Fatty Acids / analysis
        • Fatty Acids / metabolism
        • Female
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Horses / physiology
        • Humans
        • Male
        • Meat / analysis
        • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
        • Quality Control
        • Rheology
        • Sex Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
        1. Bai X, Bai Y, Li J, Zhu C, Xu L, Yu X, Yin F, Ru A, Wang X, Bai Y. Optimizing Cattle, Yak, Camel, and Horse Meat Processing: Species-Sex Physicochemical Drivers. Food Sci Nutr 2026 Feb;14(2):e71394.
          doi: 10.1002/fsn3.71394pubmed: 41625271google scholar: lookup
        2. Ivanković A, Pećina M, Bittante G, Amalfitano N, Konjačić M, Kelava Ugarković N. Meat Production Potential of Local Horse Breeds: Sustainable Conservation Through Valorization. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 28;15(13).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15131911pubmed: 40646811google scholar: lookup
        3. Asti V, Summer A, Ablondi M, Sartori C, Giontella A, Pilastro V, Mecocci S, Cappelli K, Mancin E, Oian A, Mantovani R, Capomaccio S, Sabbioni A. Selection signatures and inbreeding: exploring genetic diversity in five native horse breeds. BMC Vet Res 2025 May 16;21(1):346.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04794-wpubmed: 40380299google scholar: lookup
        4. Kaić A, Luštrek B, Žgur S, Potočnik K. Can the Suspension Method (Tenderstretch vs. Achilles Tendon) Enhance Horsemeat Quality?. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 7;14(23).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14233540pubmed: 39682505google scholar: lookup
        5. Aroua M, Fehri NE, Ben Said S, Quattrone A, Agradi S, Brecchia G, Balzaretti CM, Mahouachi M, Castrica M. The Use of Horse and Donkey Meat to Enhance the Quality of the Traditional Meat Product (Kaddid): Analysis of Physico-Chemical Traits. Foods 2024 Sep 19;13(18).
          doi: 10.3390/foods13182974pubmed: 39335901google scholar: lookup
        6. Fletcher KA, Limon G, Padalino B, Hall GK, Chancellor N, Grist A, Gibson TJ. Impact of Social Buffering and Restraint on Welfare Indicators during UK Commercial Horse Slaughter. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 12;13(14).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13142276pubmed: 37508053google scholar: lookup
        7. Myburgh A, Lambrechts H, Hoffman LC. A Descriptive Study on the Carcass, Muscle, and Offal Yields of the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) Harvested in Two Seasons. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 22;13(1).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13010050pubmed: 36611660google scholar: lookup
        8. Raspa F, Tarantola M, Muca E, Bergero D, Soglia D, Cavallini D, Vervuert I, Bordin C, De Palo P, Valle E. Does Feeding Management Make a Difference to Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Horses Reared for Meat Production?. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 6;12(14).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12141740pubmed: 35883287google scholar: lookup
        9. Marino R, Della Malva A, Maggiolino A, De Palo P, d'Angelo F, Lorenzo JM, Sevi A, Albenzio M. Nutritional Profile of Donkey and Horse Meat: Effect of Muscle and Aging Time. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12060746pubmed: 35327143google scholar: lookup
        10. Cittadini A, Sarriés MV, Domínguez R, Pateiro M, Lorenzo JM. Effect of Breed and Finishing Diet on Chemical Composition and Quality Parameters of Meat from Burguete and Jaca Navarra Foals. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 24;12(5).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12050568pubmed: 35268137google scholar: lookup
        11. Polidori P, Cammertoni N, Santini G, Klimanova Y, Zhang JJ, Vincenzetti S. Effects of Donkeys Rearing System on Performance Indices, Carcass, and Meat Quality. Foods 2021 Dec 16;10(12).
          doi: 10.3390/foods10123119pubmed: 34945670google scholar: lookup
        12. Cittadini A, Domínguez R, Pateiro M, Sarriés MV, Lorenzo JM. Fatty Acid Composition and Volatile Profile of longissimus thoracis et lumborum Muscle from Burguete and Jaca Navarra Foals Fattened with Different Finishing Diets. Foods 2021 Nov 24;10(12).
          doi: 10.3390/foods10122914pubmed: 34945465google scholar: lookup
        13. Razmaitė V, Šveistienė R, Račkauskaitė A, Jatkauskienė V. Effect of Gender on Meat Quality from Adult Obsolescent Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 1;11(10).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11102880pubmed: 34679901google scholar: lookup
        14. Raspa F, Dinardo FR, Vervuert I, Bergero D, Bottero MT, Pattono D, Dalmasso A, Vinassa M, Valvassori E, Bruno E, De Palo P, Valle E. A Fibre- vs. cereal grain-based diet: Which is better for horse welfare? Effects on intestinal permeability, muscle characteristics and oxidative status in horses reared for meat production. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2022 Mar;106(2):313-326.
          doi: 10.1111/jpn.13643pubmed: 34553422google scholar: lookup
        15. Beldarrain LR, Morán L, Sentandreu MÁ, Insausti K, R Barron LJ, Aldai N. Muscle and Subcutaneous Fatty Acid Composition and the Evaluation of Ageing Time on Meat Quality Parameters of Hispano-Bretón Horse Breed. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 15;11(5).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11051421pubmed: 34063520google scholar: lookup
        16. Cittadini A, Sarriés MV, Domínguez R, Indurain G, Lorenzo JM. Effect of Breed and Finishing Diet on Growth Parameters and Carcass Quality Characteristics of Navarre Autochthonous Foals. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 12;11(2).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11020488pubmed: 33673377google scholar: lookup
        17. Polidori P, Vincenzetti S, Pucciarelli S, Polzonetti V. Comparison of Carcass and Meat Quality Obtained from Mule and Donkey. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 10;10(9).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10091620pubmed: 32927781google scholar: lookup
        18. Raspa F, Tarantola M, Bergero D, Nery J, Visconti A, Mastrazzo CM, Cavallini D, Valvassori E, Valle E. Time-Budget of Horses Reared for Meat Production: Influence of Stocking Density on Behavioural Activities and Subsequent Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 1;10(8).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10081334pubmed: 32752257google scholar: lookup
        19. Raspa F, Tarantola M, Bergero D, Bellino C, Mastrazzo CM, Visconti A, Valvassori E, Vervuert I, Valle E. Stocking Density Affects Welfare Indicators in Horses Reared for Meat Production. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 26;10(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10061103pubmed: 32604808google scholar: lookup
        20. Seong PN, Kang GH, Cho SH, Park BY, Park NG, Kim JH, Ba HV. Comparative study of nutritional composition and color traits of meats obtained from the horses and Korean native black pigs raised in Jeju Island. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2019 Feb;32(2):249-256.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.18.0159pubmed: 30056658google scholar: lookup
        21. Seong PN, Seo HW, Kim JH, Kang GH, Cho SH, Chae HS, Park BY, Van Ba H. Assessment of frozen storage duration effect on quality characteristics of various horse muscles. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2017 Dec;30(12):1756-1763.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.17.0039pubmed: 28728368google scholar: lookup
        22. Seong PN, Park KM, Kang GH, Cho SH, Park BY, Chae HS, Van Ba H. The Differences in Chemical Composition, Physical Quality Traits and Nutritional Values of Horse Meat as Affected by Various Retail Cut Types. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2016 Jan;29(1):89-99.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.15.0049pubmed: 26732332google scholar: lookup
        23. De Palo P, Maggiolino A, Milella P, Centoducati N, Papaleo A, Tateo A. Artificial suckling in Martina Franca donkey foals: effect on in vivo performances and carcass composition. Trop Anim Health Prod 2016 Jan;48(1):167-73.
          doi: 10.1007/s11250-015-0940-2pubmed: 26510946google scholar: lookup
        24. De Palo P, Maggiolino A, Centoducati P, Tateo A. Slaughtering age effect on carcass traits and meat quality of italian heavy draught horse foals. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2013 Nov;26(11):1637-43.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13174pubmed: 25049752google scholar: lookup
        25. De Palo P, Maggiolino A, Centoducati P, Tateo A. Colour Changes in Meat of Foals as Affected by Slaughtering Age and Post-thawing Time. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2012 Dec;25(12):1775-9.
          doi: 10.5713/ajas.2012.12361pubmed: 25049544google scholar: lookup
        26. De Palo P, Tateo A, Maggiolino A, Centoducati P. Effect of nutritive level on carcass traits and meat quality of IHDH foals. Anim Sci J 2014 Jul;85(7):780-6.
          doi: 10.1111/asj.12203pubmed: 24961285google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.