Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters of body measurements and conformation in arabian horses

الملخص EN

Data of eleven body measurements and eight body conformation indices on 280 purebred Arabian horses ranging from 1 month to 298 months old.

These horses were progeny of 60 stallions and 176 mars.

A multiple trait animal model was used to estimate heritability genetic and phenotypic correlations for the measurements and indices under investigation.

Heritability estimates were 0.35, 0.51, 0.53, 0.33, 0.27, 0.29, 0.28 0.22, 0.14, 0.18 and 0.55 for neck girth, chest girth, fore cannon bone circumference , hind cannon bone circumference , back line length, body length, chest width, croup width, chest depth, wither height and croup height, respectively.

For body conformation indices, heritability estimates were 0.11, 0.09, 0.15, 0.23, 0.27, 0.29, 0.16 and 0.25 for format, compactness, rib cage, chest depth, chest girth, boniness, body length and height, respectively.

Genetic correlation coefficients between body measurements were all positive, and ranged from 0.12 to 0.96, except that between the chest depth and body length (-0.03).

Genetic correlation coefficients between body conformation indices were low to moderate and some were negative.

Phenotypic correlation coefficients for body measurements were all positive and ranged from 0.08 to 0.86.

For conformation indices, some of the estimates were positive and some others were negative.

Therefore, body measurements and / or body conformation indices can be efficiently used to accomplish certain breeding program goals that are related to body measurements and conformation of the Arabian horse.