Livestock Studies 2012, Vol 52, Num, 2     (Pages: 015-026)

Some Phenotypic and Genetic Parameters of Purebred Turkish Arabian Horses Raised in Different Stud Farms II. Coat Colour, Markings, Hair Whorl on the Forehead and Heritabilities

Özlem GÜCÜYENER HACAN 1 ,Halil AKÇAPINAR 2

1 Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, AFYONKARAHİSAR
2 Ankara Üniversitesi, Veteriner Fakültesi, Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, ANKARA
- In this research; coat color, markings, hair whorl on the forehead and their heritabilities in Purebred Turkish Arabian horses maintained at Karacabey, Anadolu and Sultansuyu State Farms and Mahmudiye Stud Farm of Turkish Jockey Club were investigated. Data from 977 horses' in different age and sexes were used. Percentages of coat color, markings and hair whorl on the forehead were calculated according to farm, age and sex. Heritabilities were estimated by using the Animal Model. Coat colors in the foals were 81.99 % chestnut, 18.01 % bay; and these percentage were changed 47.19 % chestnut, 12.38 % bay and 40.43 % grey respectively. Heritabilities for coat color at birth and after changing, total white markings, white facial markings, total white leg markings, front right leg white markings, back right leg white markings, front left leg white markings, back left leg white markings and hair whorl on the forehead were 0.86±0.04, 0.82±0.05, 0.68±0.05, 0.62±0.06, 0.60±0.06, 0.26±0.06, 0.44±0.06, 0.25±0.06, 0.29±0.06 and 0.41±0.07 respectively. Heritabilities were found to be high or moderate. As a result, it was observed that the rate of grey coat color increased. If decreasing the grey coat color were desired the selection for both the racing performance and coat color would be useful. Keywords : Arabian horse, Coat colour, Markings, Hair Whorl, Heritability