Several studies have shown a major development in height and cannon bone circumference in foals from birth to weaning and from different breeds. However, in Brazil, there is little information about foal development. ...Several studies have shown a major development in height and cannon bone circumference in foals from birth to weaning and from different breeds. However, in Brazil, there is little information about foal development. For this reason, this study has used data on foals from seven different farms in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, where horses have a major economic importance. The aim of this study was to compare foal’s development from four breeds and to develop a regression formula in order to estimate such development. It was used data from 210 suckling foals (Arabians n = 18, Campolina n = 86, Mangalarga Marchador n = 42 and Quarter Horses n = 64), raised in similar management practices. Their height at withers, heart girth, and cannon bone girth were measured monthly from birth to weaning. Data we reanalyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Test, with P established in 5%. The highest mean of height at withers was observed in the Arabian foals, and it was similar to Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador foals. The last breed presented a higher percentage of gain in height (~36%) and higher heart girth. On the other hand, Campolina foals had the highest mean of cannon bone girth. There was a significant interaction between breed and development phase in heart and cannon bone girths. All regression for mulas obtained from this data was very significant, and it was showed that they can predict height at withers in the four breeds studied. Heart and cannon bone girths showed medium value of R2 and large significance. It is important to highlight that fetal programing produces significant impact on foal development, even after weaning. So, this study would have observed some more changes if its scope had been extended beyond this phase.展开更多
The monitoring and development of foals, based on biometric indices, and the determination of body composition could be important for genetic improvement and the elaboration of nutritional plans for horses. Considerin...The monitoring and development of foals, based on biometric indices, and the determination of body composition could be important for genetic improvement and the elaboration of nutritional plans for horses. Considering that little information was available, the aim of the present study was to assess the growth and determine the body composition of suckling Quarter Horse foals. Animals (n = 46) of both sexes were monitored monthly from birth until the fifth month of age, using an ultrasound device and the following measurements: Wither Height (WH);Chest Perimeter (CP);Cannon Bone Circumference (CBC) Cannon Bone Girth (CG);Body Mass (BM);and Rump Fat Thickness (RFT). These tests determined the Fat-Free Mass (FFM), BM, Fat Percentage (FP) and Fat Thickness (FT). The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test, with differences considered statistically significant when P ≤ 0.05. The results demonstrated that the parameters analyzed changed significantly during the study period. The BM was ~41 at birth and ~177 kg at the point of weaning. Conversely, the FM was ~3.8 at birth and 18.1 kg at the point of weaning. The FFM was ~37 and ~160 kg at the time of birth and weaning, respectively. The FP varied from 9.3 at birth to 9.54 at weaning. The mean FT was ~1.39 and ~1.91 cm at birth and weaning, respectively. The WH measured ~91 at birth and 116 cm at weaning. In conclusion, suckling foals gain BM quickly from the time of birth to the time of weaning. The main cause of this gain is FFM. Therefore, due to the significant changes in the parameters studied herein, it is important to monitor these values in order to prevent nutritional imbalances.展开更多
文摘Several studies have shown a major development in height and cannon bone circumference in foals from birth to weaning and from different breeds. However, in Brazil, there is little information about foal development. For this reason, this study has used data on foals from seven different farms in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, where horses have a major economic importance. The aim of this study was to compare foal’s development from four breeds and to develop a regression formula in order to estimate such development. It was used data from 210 suckling foals (Arabians n = 18, Campolina n = 86, Mangalarga Marchador n = 42 and Quarter Horses n = 64), raised in similar management practices. Their height at withers, heart girth, and cannon bone girth were measured monthly from birth to weaning. Data we reanalyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Test, with P established in 5%. The highest mean of height at withers was observed in the Arabian foals, and it was similar to Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador foals. The last breed presented a higher percentage of gain in height (~36%) and higher heart girth. On the other hand, Campolina foals had the highest mean of cannon bone girth. There was a significant interaction between breed and development phase in heart and cannon bone girths. All regression for mulas obtained from this data was very significant, and it was showed that they can predict height at withers in the four breeds studied. Heart and cannon bone girths showed medium value of R2 and large significance. It is important to highlight that fetal programing produces significant impact on foal development, even after weaning. So, this study would have observed some more changes if its scope had been extended beyond this phase.
文摘The monitoring and development of foals, based on biometric indices, and the determination of body composition could be important for genetic improvement and the elaboration of nutritional plans for horses. Considering that little information was available, the aim of the present study was to assess the growth and determine the body composition of suckling Quarter Horse foals. Animals (n = 46) of both sexes were monitored monthly from birth until the fifth month of age, using an ultrasound device and the following measurements: Wither Height (WH);Chest Perimeter (CP);Cannon Bone Circumference (CBC) Cannon Bone Girth (CG);Body Mass (BM);and Rump Fat Thickness (RFT). These tests determined the Fat-Free Mass (FFM), BM, Fat Percentage (FP) and Fat Thickness (FT). The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test, with differences considered statistically significant when P ≤ 0.05. The results demonstrated that the parameters analyzed changed significantly during the study period. The BM was ~41 at birth and ~177 kg at the point of weaning. Conversely, the FM was ~3.8 at birth and 18.1 kg at the point of weaning. The FFM was ~37 and ~160 kg at the time of birth and weaning, respectively. The FP varied from 9.3 at birth to 9.54 at weaning. The mean FT was ~1.39 and ~1.91 cm at birth and weaning, respectively. The WH measured ~91 at birth and 116 cm at weaning. In conclusion, suckling foals gain BM quickly from the time of birth to the time of weaning. The main cause of this gain is FFM. Therefore, due to the significant changes in the parameters studied herein, it is important to monitor these values in order to prevent nutritional imbalances.
