Biometria de potros da raça Crioula

Abstract

The Crioulo breed demand over the centuries for a constant evolution and standardization of their animals, looking for a "complete horse", with morphology and function. The Crioulo horse is widespread throughout the Americas, and in Brazil 94.2% of these animals are distributed in the south region of the country. In the breeding of Crioulo horses, one of the most important concern is to achieve the morphological standards of the breed. It is request that animals had some measures breed standard, at the age of 24 months, and the values of withers height should be: between 1.38-1.48 meters for females, and between 1.40 -1.50 meters for males, thereby, they can receive the definitive registration. This study was conducted to describe the growth curve of Crioulo foals from Brazil. The study was performed with a total of 1040 measurements from 267 Crioulo foals, aged from the birth until 24 months. Measurements of body weight, through a mechanical weight balance, and withers height, through hipometer scale were performed monthly to assessment of the growth curve. It was observed that the most expressive grow in the foals occurred in the first two months of age, representing 78.4% of adult height. The measurements of height showed that not all foals reached the minimal value required by the breed standard at 24 months of age. During the months, all categories had increase in the weight. The results of this study provide to determinate a growth curve in Crioulo foals, from birth until 24 months of age, using measurements of body weight and withers height.