Research evaluates growth patterns of Criollo foals

By Anelise Pimentel, Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Campus Capão do Leão, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil

The study published in Ciência Rural Journal, Volume 47, Number 1 in 2017, entitled “Gender on the growth of Criollo foals from birth to three years of age” had the objective of evaluating the effect of sex on the growth patterns in Criollo foals.

Researchers measured body height, chest perimeter and cannon bone perimeter of 75 colts, from three generations, in two farms in Rio Grande do Sul, from its birth to three years of age. The animals were kept under the same management, receiving only native grass. Data analysis was performed using the nonlinear regression method to estimate the growth curves for the three characteristics studied. The results showed that the highest growth rate of these parameters occurred in the first year of life. Body height and chest circumference can be assessed using nonlinear models in males and females up to three years of age. However, cannon bone perimeter should be evaluated separately for each sex.

For the researcher Anelise Pimentel, the information about the development of Criollo foals provide tools for decisions in selective process. “Knowledge about the development of foals from birth to three years of age may allow an early selection to decide which animals that are out or within the measurements limits established by the breeders association (ABCCC – Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Cavalos Crioulos), “she says. Since the creation of the association in 1932 there is a lack of information about these parameters.

According to Anelise, studies based in other Brazilian saddle breeds had been used empirically as standards in Criollo Horses. Although the breeds have the same roots, such comparisons are inappropriate, since they do not take into account the peculiarities of the Criollo breed that were developed after adaptation to the South American environment. This research provides scientifical criteria to select animals that commercial and social values grow overtime.

To read the article, access it

PIMENTEL, A.M.H., et al. Gender on the growth of Criollo foals from birth to three years of age. Cienc. Rural [online]. 2017, vol. 47, no. 1, e20150989. ISSN: 1678-4596. DOI: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20150989 [viewed 15 December 2016]. Available from: http://ref.scielo.org/j3qqmn

External link

Ciência Rural – CR: <http://www.scielo.br/cr>