Effect of breed, sex, and age, on hooves conformation in local Iraqi Arabian horses

Abstract

The study was conducted on (50) Iraqi Arabian horses of different colors, age groups and sub-breeds (Saklawi (S), Kehalan (K), Hamadani (H), and Mauniqi (M). The linear measure-ments of hoof which were studied: hoof length (HL), hoof width (HW), hoof height(HH), hoof circumference (HC) toe length(TL), quarter length(QL), heel length (HeL), heel height (HeH), frog length (FL) and frog width (FW). The study showed many different results submitted to statistical analysis according to (ANOVA) program at P< 0.05. The HL and HW in S sub- breed showed significant differences (SD) between fore and hind limbs. There were SD in the HH of both limbs between (H, S) and (M, K). The HC of the forelimbs, there were SD between S and other sub- breeds, while the hind limbs there were SD between (H, K) and other sub-breeds. The TL of the forelimbs were SD between (H,S) and other sub-breeds, but there were SD between (H,M ) and other sub-breeds. The QL of the forelimbs were SD between M and other sub-breeds, while the hind limbs were SD between (H, K) and other sub-breeds. The HeL of the fore limbs were SD between M and other sub-breeds. The HeH of the fore limbs were SD between (H, S) and other sub-breeds, while in the hind limbs, there were SD between M and (H, K). The FL of the forelimbs and hind limbs were SD between M and other sub-breeds. The FW of the hind limbs were SD between (H, K) and other sub- breeds, while in the hind limbs, there were SD between M and other subbreeds. The HeL of the forelimbs showed SD between ((group (6-9 years), and group (above 9years)) and other age groups, while the HW of the hind limbs were SD between group (above 9 years) and other age groups. The study results showed that the breed and age effected on the hooves conformation and Al-Saklawi had the highest hoof dimensions in general, which refer that the Iraqi Arabian Horses are nearly pure Arabian horses, while sex, and limb type have no effect on hooves conformation.