Análise fenotípica das pelagens e particularidades dos equídeos

Abstract

Coat color is the nomenclature given to the sum of the horse’s coat, coat color, mane, tail and extremities coloration and white patterns. Equid coats can present particularities, which are markings of variable shape and length, distributed in different parts of the body. The particularities can be observed in any coat, but do not alter its definition. Both the coats and the particularities are used for identification and registration of equines in the Breeders' Association, as well as for animal science’s guidance for breeding and mating, in order to increase the percentage of desirable coat colors and avoid associated genetic diseases. The objective was to identify and characterize the colors and particularities of equines, aiming to standardize the existing nomenclatures, identify the frequency of particularities in each coat, verify the changes in the coat of equine foals and mule foals during the first six months of life and verify the frequency of coats within the Mangalarga Marchador and Campolina breeds. One thousand horses of both sexes and of different breeds and ages were evaluated, in person, and the database provided by the Association of Breed Horse Breeders Mangalarga Marchador and Campolina was used. During data collection, the horses were photographed to identify the coats and particularities and fill in a detailed review for each horse. To verify changes in the coat color of the foals of horses and mules, photographs were taken once a month from birth to six months of age. The data collected from each animal were described in a qualitative spreadsheet that was later transformed into quantitative data using Microsoft Excel®. Statistical analyzes were performed descriptively and using frequency and compared using the chi-square test. As for the foals, the description of all phenotypic changes presented over the 6 months was performed. All analyzes were performed using R-Studio® software. A total of 449 equestrian horses of dressage and salt, 316 Mangalarga Marchador horses, 103 Campolina horses, 60 ponies, 33 American Quarter Horses, 28 mules, 07 Belgian Draft horses and 04 donkeys were evaluated. The pigments observed were pheomelanin and eumelanin. And the basic coats observed were: chestnut, palomino, appaloosa, bay, dun, cremello, leopard, grulla, overo, pinto, mouse grey (in donkeys), black, roan and gray. Among these coats, 42 variations were also identified. The particularities observed were twirls, whorls, black ear edges, chin, star, stripe, bark, beta, baby in white, stockings, socks, pastern whites, white hooves and striped hooves. The highest frequency of coats in the studied horses was related to bay color and the lowest frequency of leopard color. Regarding the particularities, the one with the highest frequency in equids were facial whorls and the lowest frequency was related to the particularity of whorls on the head.