Caracterização zoométrica do remanescente da raça eqüina Nordestina nos Estados de Pernambuco e Piauí

Abstract

The zoometric measures of the adult Nordestina horse breed from Pernambuco and Piauí states were the objective of this study. The same measurer have taken 48 body measures, which resulted in 9 zoometric indices (in a total of 57 quantitative traits) on 238 animals, among males, females and geldings. The qualitative traits were evaluated according to coat color, bridge of nose profile, position of lips, neck shape, slope of croup, hooves color and size. The quantitative traits were evaluated by analysis of variance, descriptive statistics and principal components analysis, whereas the qualitative traits by frequency distribution. The principal components analysis reduced 50 body measures to 9 components for males and females and 7 components for geldings. The number of variables for males, females and geldings was shortened to 21, 20 and 18, respectively, using the principal component analysis, in which 15 measures were in common for males, females and geldings (withers height, back height, height from sternum to ground, croup height, forelimb height, hind-limb height, insertion of tail height, fore-pastern length, back-loin length 1, hind-pastern length, fore-cannon perimeter, fore-fetlock perimeter, fore-pastern perimeter, fore-fetlock perimeter and hind-pastern perimeter). These measures can be used for further studies, regardless of animal sex. The withers height had strong correlation with the other heights and the perimeters were strongly correlated among them according to the anatomical region of the members. In general, all animals from Pernambuco and Piauí states were small-sized and classified as hypometric due to the weights (estimated weight and body weight) and as mediolineous (balance body) by body index, within a range between strength and speed (saddle and light traction).Conformation and compactness indices had classified them as more able to saddle than draft. The dactyl-thoracic index classified the animals as heavy draft horses, except for females from Pernambuco state (intermediate ability). The wok indices 1 and 2 shows that animals from Pernambuco can support greater weight at a trot or gallop. The ethnological profile study detected a prevalence of gray coat color, black and small hooves, subconvex bridge of nose, pyramidal neck, firm and juxtaposed lips. Just the male animals from Pernambuco had a croup classified as lightly inclined. Sexual dimorphism and origin effect on most measures and indices were detected, indicating the existence of two ecotypes.