BREED CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENTAL PRACTICIES OF KATHIAWADI HORSES-A FIELD STUDY
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Date
2002
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AAU, Anand
Abstract
The present investigation was carried out to study the important breed characteristics of Kathiawadi horses and traditional managemental practices followed by horse owners in Ahmedabad, Surendranagar and Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat state. In all 260 Kathiawadi horses were covered to study physical characteristics and biometry. Status of Kathiawadi horse ferms were surveyed through personal interview of 184 horse owners in three districts. Kathiawadi horses have small erect ears, which touch to each other. The forehead is concave have wide nostrils, with large prominent eyes, straight back with long curley tail. Generally horse owners keep horses for hobby and ceremonial purpose. Although they keep animal for carting purpose also. Majority of farmers were having primary education and they belongs to general category like, Rajput and Kathidarbar. Practice of feeding were concentrate, green fodder and dry fodder and also jaggery were fed by some owners. Majority of the horse owner keep the animal as a family member and take care accordingly. However there were some differences in feeding practices according to availability of resources and socio economic structure. Majority of owners exercised and groomed their horses daily. The average working hours were 2.76 hours / animal. Majority of farmer keep 1-2 horses. On an average herd size was 1.67. The average age of mare studied was 7.74 years and stallion was 8.55 years. The pre-dominant body colours of Kathiawadi horses were Chestnut 35.8 per cent. Bay 34.2 per cent. Grey 22.3 per cent. Skewbald 4,23 per cent. While other colours were below one per cent. Colour markings observed in Kathiawadi horses were Star 41.15 per cent, Star-Strip 7.31 per cent, Star-Strip-Snip 15.78 per cent, Stocking 6.15 per cent, Blaze 0.69 per cent. Black Knee 0.38 per cent and Whirl on forehead 2.69 per cent. The average length of forehead was 18.54 cms, the average length and width of ears was 13.12 and 7.2 cms, the length and width of face was 33.41 and 19.80. The body length was 147.60 cms., the length of neck, back and tail was 78.39, 76.22 and 42.52 respectively. The chest width was 33.40 cms., heart girth and belly girth was 166.15 and 171.81 cms respectively. The distance between knee to fetlock and height at knee was 25.55 and 43.07 cms respectively. The diameter of hoof was 42.34 cms. Distance between fetlock to coronet and height at hock was 11.36 and 55.16 cms respectively. The distance between croup to head of tail was 33.62 cms while height at wither and height at rump was 145.74 cms and 146.56 cms respectively. The averse body weight of horses calculated was ranging from 473.58 kg to 519.07 kg. Newborn foal was allowed to suckle colostrum freely. The growing foal was kept with mother and was having free access to suckle sufficient milk from the dam. The various reproductive characters studied were. Age at Puberty 1060 days, Age at First Service 1632 days, Age at First Foaling 1966 days. Gestation Period 335.2 days, Service Period 155.5 days and Foaling interval 490.4 days. The study of breed characters and traditional managemental practices of Kathiawadi horses under field revealed the feet that there is an urgent need to expand veterinary and extension services specially in rural area of Kathiawad for development of this breed. Secondly there is also need to educate the horse owners in respect of proper feeding and breeding of Kathiawadi horses and strengthening of Veterinary Aid Centers and Service Centers.
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LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, A STUDY