ÉTUDE MORPHOMÉTRIQUE DU CHEVAL D’ENDURANCE DE RACE ARABE EN RELATION AVEC LA PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Selection of young horses is based on the pedigree, conformation and gait analysis. Evaluation of the last two criteria is very subjective and objective data are lacking. Assessment grids used in breed show are based on empirical data. The objective of this study was to measure the conformation of horses from Arabian origin involved in 80 km or more endurance races in order to determine correlations between these body measurements and performance. As part of this study, 40 horses were evaluated for the following body measurements: withers height (WH), length of the body (BL), thickness of the skin fold (SF). The “performance index” was used to determine correlations between measurements and performance. It is composed of a speed index, a distance index and a rank index. This study allowed to develop a database on the morphology of high level endurance horses and to establish a specific weight equation based on several body measurements. The statistical analysis by linear regression showed that the horses having the highest distance index have a higher BL; a thinner SF. Horses having the highest speed index have a more horizontal femur. This study is a first step in determination of performance associated criteria in endurance horses. Other studies must be performed in young animals, using gait analysis and genetic assay.