Live weight and body measurement of Hungarian Thoroughbred broodmares

Abstract

Live weights and 21 body measurements of 110 adult brood mares from Hungarian Thoroughbred broodmares were evaluated. Body measurements and some body measure indices were determined. One way ANOVA was used to compare the studs. Regression equations were developed to estimate the live weight from body measurements. The overall mean values of body measurements were as follows: live weight 542.0 kg, height at withers with stick 160.9 cm, height at withers with tape 168.8 cm, height of back 151.9 cm, height at rump 159.9 cm, depth of chest 75.5 cm, height of bieler-point 85.4 cm, length of body 163.3 cm, diagonal length of body 167.5 cm, upper neck measure 93.6 cm, length of back 85.2 cm, length of rump 49.6 cm, width of breast 46.0 cm, width of chest 48.0 cm, 1st, 2nd, 3rd width of rump 56.0- 54.2- 23.2 cm, circumference of chest 192.1 cm, circumference of cannon bone left front- rear 19.8- 22.0 cm, length of head 59.3 cm, width of head 22.9 cm. The standard deviation and cv% values of body measurements were between 0.7-5.8 cm and 2.1-6.7%, respectively (excluding 3rd width of rump). Only few differences among studs, concerning evaluated body measurements, were presented - firstly: body measurements, related to the kilter and nutritional status (hearth girth) - were significant. Between the mentioned traits and the live weight medium positive correlation (r = 0.47-0.79; P<0.01) was found. For the estimation of live weight with regression model the necessary data are as follows: hearth girth, 2nd width of rump and diagonal length of body. The determination coefficient was 0.80 (P<0.01). As a conclusion it can be stated that the Thoroughbred population in Hungary is quite homogenous in terms of the most important body measurements. © Journal of Central Europian Agriculture 2013.