BODY AND HOOF BIOMETRICS OF MANGALARGA MARCHADOR EQUINE ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN EXHIBITIONS

Abstract

The biometric evaluation of equine athletes is important to determine their morphological condition, and even more so when it comes to show animals. These evaluations analyze the proportionality of the body, observed as a whole or individually, to determine its adaptive functions. The aim of this study was to take biometric measurements of Mangalarga Marchador horses participating in an agricultural show in the state of Alagoas, to assess their morphometric indices, groin proportions and claw angulation. Eighty-two animals were used, divided into four groups, M1, M2, F1 and F2. Using a tape measure and a hoof Angulo meter, various measurements were collected, tabulated, their means and standard deviation calculated and then submitted to statistics. The result was that all the groups had contracted grooves, a short, eumetric conformation, that the young animals were suitable for saddling and the adults for light traction, and that both the clamp angles and the load indices were lower than those consulted, except for M2. The linear indices, when compared to the biometric measurements, showed greater proximity to the data, disregarding variations in gender and age. There was no significant difference between the groups. As a result, the young animals did not conform to the values in the literature, compared to the adult animals, where the majority did, especially the adult males, both in terms of measurements and indices. Overall, the females had better hoof biometrics and the males better body biometrics.