Étude comparative des paramètres de reproduction chez les juments de races Barbe et Selle Français

Abstract

The evaluation of reproductive performance and zootechnical parameters is essential to optimize the management of equine breeding. This study aims to compare the impact of breed (Barbe versus Selle Français) on various reproductive parameters, mare age, and foal birth weight. Performance data were collected and analyzed from two groups of mares: the Barbe breed and the Selle Français breed. The measured parameters (foaling success rate, reproductive failure rate, gestation length, foal birth weight, foaling interval, postpartum heat return, number of cycles before pregnancy, pre-ovulatory follicle size, and mare age) were compared using statistical mean comparison tests, with a significance threshold set at α = 0.05. The analyses demonstrate that the two groups of mares are perfectly homogeneous in terms of average age (13.20 ± 3.56 years for the Barbe breed vs. 13.40 ± 6.66 years for the Selle Français breed; p = 0.956). Regarding reproductive performance, the foaling success rate reached 80% (4 out of 5 mares) for the Barbe breed compared to 100% (5 out of 5 mares) for the Selle Français, representing respective reproductive failure rates of 20% and 0%. Furthermore, the breed exerted a statistically significant effect only on gestation length (p = 0.035), which was longer in Selle Français mares (341.80 ± 1.92 days) than in Barbe mares (338.60 ± 2.07 days). In addition, a statistical trend toward an extended foaling interval was observed in the Barbe breed (449.20 ± 74.84 days vs. 365.20 ± 25.68 days; p = 0.064). In contrast, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was highlighted for foal birth weight (p = 0.683), postpartum heat return (p = 0.803), number of cycles before pregnancy (p = 0.319), or pre- ovulatory follicle size (p = 0.965). These results indicate that, under comparable management conditions, Barbe and Selle Français mares exhibit globally similar reproductive aptitudes for the majority of physiological parameters and initial foal growth. The only notable distinctions lie in a slightly shorter gestation in the Barbe mare and a trend toward an extension of its interval between two foaling events.