Anatomical Parameters of Head and Neck with Referring to Their Conformation of Local Arabian Horses

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Anatomical parameters of head and neck with referring to their conformation of local Arabian horses

Ahmed Kadhim Munahi Coll. of Vet. Med. / Univ. of Al-Qadissiya email: [email protected] (Received 30 June 2015, Accepted 6 September 2015)

Abstract The study was carried out on (180) local Arabian horses in Al-Diwaniyeh Province for three different breeds (Kehalan, Saklawi and Hamadani). They divided into six age groups which were (12-36, 36-60, 60-84, 84-120, 120-180 and 180-240 months), also their sexes divided equally and their colors (white, black, red and brown) were included in the study. Many different head and neck morphological measurements were recorded as follow: Head length (HeL), the line between the bases of ears (BR), the line between the medial canthi of the eyes (BE), the head side length (SL), the circumference of the attached part of the neck with the head (HNP), the circumference of the attached part of the neck with the body (NBP), and neck length (NL). Results indicated that in (12-36 months) group, the male and female Saklawi recorded significant decrements (P<0.05) with other breeds in the (HeL) measurement with 63.60 ± 1.661 and 64.20 ± 1.985 respectively, the (NL) measurement of male Saklawi was 43.80 ± 1.595 which registered a significant difference (P<0.05) with other breeds, as well the male of the same breed had significant decrement in both (HNP) and (SL) parameters with 70.20 ± 0.374 and 66.00 ± 1.140 respectively. The (36-60 months) group the (HeL), (BR), (NL) and (NBP) measurements of male and female Hamadani registered significant differences (P<0.05) with all other breeds, while the (HNP) parameters of male and female Kehalan recorded significant increment with other breeds. The (60-84 months) group the measurements of (BR) and (NBP) of male and female Hamadani were 19.80 ± 0.374, 20.40 ± 0.510 and 108.60 ± 1.913 and 108.80 ± 0.200 respectively and these results registered significant decrements with other breeds. The (84-120 months) group the male and female Hamadani recorded significant differences with all other breeds in (BR), (NL) and (NBP) parameters. The (120-180 and 180-240 months) groups the (NL) as well as (NBP) parameters of male and female Hamadani registered significant differences with all other breeds. The Arabian local horses in the present study characterized by long neck, broad forehead as well as long face. Key words: head, neck, conformation, breeds, Arabian, horses.

المعايير التشريحيت للراس والرقبت للخيىل العربيت المحليت مع اشارة الى تكىينها الخلقي

أحمذ كبظم مىبحٍ كهُت انطب انبُطشٌ / جبمؼت انقبدسُت الخالصت أجشَج انذساست ػهً 180 حصبن محهٍ ضمه حذود محبفظت انذَىاوُت ونثالثت اوسبل مخخهفت )انكحُالن و انصقالوٌ وانحمذاوٍ( وقسمج انً سخت مجبمُغ ػمشَت حشاوحج اػمبسهب مب بُه )12-36 و 36-60 و 60-84 و 84-120 و )120-180 و 180-240 شهشاً( ، وكزنك حم حسجُم اجىبسهب )ركىس واوبد( وانىاوهب )اشهب وادهم وكمُج واشقش(. حم حسجُم انؼذَذ مه قُبسبث انشأس وانشقُت بىسبطت ششَط انقُبس انمطبطٍ وهٍ كمب َهٍ: طىل انشأس و انخط انىاصم بُه االروُه و وانخط انىاصم بُه صاوَخٍ انؼُىُه االوسُخُه و طىل انشأس انجبوبٍ ومحُط احصبل انشقبت مغ انشأس ومحُط احصبل انشقبت مغ انجسم و طىل انشقبت. أظهشث انىخبئج ببن انمجمىػت انؼمشَت )12-36 شهشاً( ان انزكىس واالوبد انخببؼت نىسم انصقالوٌ سجهج فشقبً مؼىىَبً (ػ (P<0.05ه بقُت االوسبل االخشي بقُبس (HeL) وكبوج 63.60 ± 1.661 و 64.20 ± 1.985 وحسب انخشحُب ، كمب ان قُبس (NL) نزكىس وسم انصقالوٌ كبن 43.80 ± 1.595 وقذ سجم فشقبً 58

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 مؼىىَبً (ػ (P<0.05ه االوسبل االخشي وكزنك فبن ركىس وفس انىسم انسببق سجهج فشقبً مؼىىَبً فٍ كال قُبسٍ (HNP) و (SL) وكبوج 70.20 ± 0.374 و 66.00 ± 1.140 وػهً انخشحُب. اضهشث انفئت انؼمشَت )36-60 شهشاً( ببن قُبسبث كالً مه (HeL) و (BR) و (NL) و (NBP) نزكىس واوبد وسم انحمذاوٍ سجهج فشوقبً مؼىىَت (P<0.05) مغ بقُت االوسبل االخشي ، بُىمب سجم قُبس (HNP) نزكىس واوبد انكحُالن صَبدة مؼىىَت مغ االوسبل االخشي. فٍ انفئت انؼمشَت )60-84شهشاً( كبن قُبس (BR) و (NBP) نزكىس واوبد انحمذاوٍ 19.80 ± 0.374 ، 20.40 ± 0.510 و 108.60 ± 1.913 و 108.80 ± 0.200 وبذوسهب سجهج فشوقبً مؼىىَت مغ بقُت االوسبل. فٍ انفئت انؼمشَت )84-120 شهشاً( ان ركىس واوبد وسم انحمذاوٍ سجج فشوقبً مؼىىَت (P<0.05) مغ بقُت االوسبل فٍ قُبس (BR) و (NL) و (NBP). انفئت انؼمشَت )120-180 و 180-240شهشاً( كبن فُهب قُبس (NL) وكزنك (NBP) نزكىس واوبد وسم انحمذاوٍ قذ سجم فشوقبً مؼىىَت (P<0.05) مغ االوسبل االخشي. حمخبص االوسبل انؼشبُت ضمه مىضىع انذساست بكىوهب راث سقبت طىَهت وجبهت واسؼت ووجه طىَم. الكلماث المفتاحيت : رأس ، رقبت ، تكىين خلقي ، انسال ، عربيت ، خيىل. Introduction The Arabian horses are regarded as the didn't mention the age which is included in most beauty breed of all the breeds in the their study, while (12) mention that the mean world, the Arabian breed is also well-known of the neck length was 69.47 cm of Spanish for its beauty and morphological harmony Arab horses. Also (13) find as a result of which many breeders are selected for type their study in the Noriker draught horse that traits (1). The Arabian horses are famous the mean of the neck length is 85.7 cm, the with high speed for long distances, (2) head length is 65.2 cm, forehead length is demonstrated that the performance is the 28.1 cm, face length is 40.6 and the forehead result of a complex combination of width is 25.4 cm. While (14) document in conformational, physiological and behavioral their study on stallions of west American traits, which are heritable. Conformation breeds that the mean of the head length is assesses the unalterable structure of an 52.6 cm and the mean of the neck length is animal in relation to its function and it is the 81.46. (15) find in their study on Pura Raza primary interest of breeders and owners, Espanol horse that the mean of the head since overall body shape is defined the limits length is 61.30 cm, the circumference of the for range of movement, the function of the attached part of the neck with the head is horse and its ability to perform (3, 4, 5). 89.81 and the circumference of the attached Therefore the functional conformation plays part of the neck with the body is 146.35 cm an important role in horse breeding and at the age 4-7 years. If the neck acts as a almost all breeding objectives for sport lever, head length will act as a counter horses include functional conformation and weight (16). (17) Found that, the effect of sex movements (6). (7) Are mentioned that, the of Arabian horses was significant just on value of the Arabian horses is mainly neck length (NL) (P< 0.05), while the age associated with their exterior conformation, was very significant on all traits (P<0.05) and because this particular breed is used the effect of body color was not significant primarily for presentation. Therefore, the (P>0.05). According to my knowledge, there major criterion for their assessment is their were no any previous study of the head and aesthetic values, as well as, their correct body neck conformation of the Arabian breeds composition. Results of a last study of (8) are (Al-Kehalan, Al-Saklawi and Al-Hamadani) demonstrated that, the local Iraqi horses are in the province of the present study. The aim Arabian horses. The head and neck determine of this study is to demonstrate the head and athletic ability of the horse (9). (10) Suggests neck anatomical parameters and that good head-neck and neck-body insertion conformation of the local Arabian breeds in are more important than neck length for Al-Diwaniyeh province. dressage ability. (9) Also affirms that, the head-neck connection may be favorable to Materials and methods achieve free movement and flexion. (11) The study was conducted on (180) local found that the mean of the neck length of Arabian horses in Al-Diwaniyeh Province at Arabian horses was 75.58 cm and the mean different breeds (Kehalan, Saklawi and of the head length was 64.10 cm, but they Hamadani). Their ages groups were divided 59

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 into six groups which were (12-36, 36-60, 4. SL: the head side length, the line from the 60-84, 84-120, 120-180 and 180-240 poll of the head. months), their ages were calculated 5. HNP: head-neck perimeter, the circumf- according to (18). Also their sexes (stallions erence of the attached part of the neck with and mares) and their colors (white, black, red the head. and brown) were included in the study. Many 6. NBP: neck-body perimeter, the circumf- different head and neck measurements were erence of the attached part of the neck with recorded by tape of equine conformation as the body. follow: 7. NL: neck length, the line between the 1. HeL: head length, the line from the poll of head-neck perimeter and the neck-body the head to the edge of the upper lip. perimeter. 2. BR: the line between the bases of ears. The results were analyzed by one way 3. BE: the line between the medial canthi of (ANOVA) (SPSS, version 18), the the eyes. significance at level (P<0.05).

Fig. (1): Illustrate the measurements on head and neck of Saklawi mare.

Results The female Saklawi had the superiority (HNP) there was a significant difference value with (HeL) (64.20 ±1.985), (SL) (66.20 (P<0.05) between male and female Kehalan, ± 0.374) and (HNP) of the male (70.20 ± as well as between male Kehalan and female 0.374) but less with (NL) (43.80 ± 1.594); Saklawi and male and female Hamadani. while the Hamadani got the superiority with The (NBP) there was a noticeable significant (NBP) (98.80 ± 0.374), there was no difference (P<0.05) between male and statistical differences (P>0.05) among all the female Saklawi, also between male Saklawi breeds with (HeL) and (BR). Whereas (BE) and female Hamdani, male and female there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in Kehalan. The (NL) there was a significant male Kehalan. There were significant difference (P<0.05) between male and differences (P<0.05) in male Saklawi with female Kehalan also between female male and female Hamadani and between Kehalan and male and female Saklawi, as in male Hamadani and female Saklawi. The (Table 1). 60

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Table (1): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 12-36 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Breed

Sub Sex HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

- Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 59.20± 19.00± 49.80± 92.20± 68.00± 61.00± 13.10±

Kehalan ce a a b abe b a

1.934 0.316 1.072 1.007 2.025 1.761 0.872

Female

57.20± 19.00± 53.60± 98.00± 68.20± 63.80± 14.20± 0.860bc 0.447a 1.030a 0.707a 0.800abe 0.583a 0.374a

Male 63.60± 19.40± 43.80± 94.60± 70.20± 66.00± 13.60±

Saklawi a a b ab b a a

1.661 0.510 1.594 1.806 0.374 1.140 0.748

Female

64.20± 19.20± 52.60± 97.60± 70.00± 66.20± 14.40± 1.985a 0.490a 2.694a 0.510a 0.837be 0.374a 0.245a

Male 60.80± 18.60± 49.20± 98.80± 66.80± 64.60± 14.00± Hamadani abc a ab a a a a

0.583 0.400 0.970 0.374 0.583 0.510 0.316

Female 62.80± 19.20± 51.40± 98.00± 67.20± 66.20± 13.80± 1.158ae 0.583a 1.288a 0.447a 0.583ae 0.374a 0.374a

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

Table (2): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 36-60 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Sub

Sex

Breed HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 66.20± 21.00± 55.80± 109.00± 74.20± 68.20± 15.20±

Kehalan a a abc a a a abc

0.735 0.447 3.367 2.345 2.396 0.583 0.800

Female

65.40± 21.00± 56.20± 112.60± 76.60± 67.60± 15.40± 0.510a 0.447a 1.068abc 0.510b 0.510a 0.600a 0.678abc

Male 66.60± 21.20± 59.40± 111.40± 69.80± 67.60± 14.20±

Saklawi a a b ab b a a

1.364 0.374 1.691 0.678 1.594 1.030 0.374

Female

66.80± 21.40± 60.80± 112.20± 69.40± 67.40± 16.60± 0.583a 0.400a 2.354ab 0.374b 1.860b 0.872a 0.678b

Male 61.40± 18.60± 53.20± 104.20± 67.60± 69.00± 16.60± Hamadani b b c c b a bc

0.510 0.400 0.374 0.374 0.400 0.447 0.400

Female 61.40± 18.80± 53.40± 104.80± 69.20± 69.40± 16.60± 0.510b 0.374b 0.678c 0.583c 0.374b 0.400a 0.927bc

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Table 2 clarified that in (36-60) months significant difference (P>0.05) among all group the sub-breed female Hamadani breeds. The (HNP) of female Kehalan recorded the higher values in (BE) (16.60 ± recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) 0.927) and (SL) (69.40 ± 0.400). Female with male and female Hamadani also with Kehalan attained the superiority in (HNP) male and female Saklawi, while male (76.60 ± 0.510) as well as the superiority was Kehalan recorded significant difference recorded to the same in (NBP) (112.60 ± (P<0.05) with female Saklawi and male and 0.510). The (HeL) and (BR) there was a female Hamadani. The measurement (NNP) significant difference (P<0.05) between of male and female Hamadani recorded a Hamadani (male and female) and the other significant difference (P<0.05) with the other breeds. The (BE) there was a significant breeds. The (NL) of male and female difference (P<0.05) between male and female Saklawi recorded a significant difference Saklawi, also there was a significant differ- (P<0.05) with male and female Hamadani as ence (P<0.05) between male Saklawi and in (Table 3). Table 4 presented that in (84- male and female Hamadani. The (SL) there 120) months group the female Kehalan had was no significant difference (P>0.05) the superiority in (BR), (HNP) and (NBP); among all the breeds. The (HNP) there was a (23.40 ± 0.400), (79.40 ± 0.510) and (116.40 significant difference (P<0.05) between ± 0.600) respectively, while female Saklawi Kehalan (male and female) with other breeds. got the superiority in (HeL), (BE) and (NL); The (NBP) there was a significant difference (65.80 ± 2.888), (18.80 ± 0.490) and (64.00 ± (P<0.05) between male and female Kehalan 1.924) respectively, but the female Hamadani also male Kehalan recorded a significant attained the superiority in (SL) (71.60 ± difference (P<0.05) with female Saklawi and 0.510) only. There were no any significant Hamadani (male and female). Whereas the difference (P>0.05) among all breeds in the female Kehalan registered a significant (HeL). In the (BR) of male and female difference (P<0.05) with male and female Hamadani registered a significant differenace Hamadani, the female Saklawi recorded a (P<0.05) with all other breeds. The measure- significant difference (P<0.05) with Hamad- ment (BE) of the male Kehalan recorded a ani (male and female), the (NL) there was a significant difference (P<0.05) with female significant difference (P<0.05) betw-een Saklawi, also male and female Saklawi male Saklawi and Hamadani (male and recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) female), also female Saklawi recorded a between each of them, while male Saklawi significant difference (P<0.05) with Hamad- recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) ani (male and female). The female Saklawi with male and female Hamadani. The (SL) got the superiority in the (HeL), (BE) and measurement of the all breeds didn't record (NL); (64.80 ± 2.691), (17.80 ± 0.490) and any significant difference (P>0.05). The (62.80 ± 1.908) respectively, but female (HNP) of the female Kehalan recorded Kehalan had the superiority in (BR), (HNP) significant difference (P<0.05) with Saklawi and (NBP) ;(22.40 ± 0.400), (78.60 ± 0.400) (male and female) and Hamadani (male and and (115.40 ± 0.600) respectively, while female). The (NBP) and (NL) of the male female hamdani acquired the same superior and female Hamadani recorded a significant value with female Saklawi in (BE) (17.80 ± difference (P<0.05) with the all other breeds. 0.735) and it had the superiority in (SL) The female Saklawi had the superiority in the (70.60 ± 0.510). The (HeL) of the male and (HeL), (BE) and (NL); (66.20 ± 2.538), female Saklawi recorded a significant differ- (19.80 ± 0.490) and (64.80 ± 1.828) ence (P<0.05) while in the (BR) of the male respectively, but male Kehalan got the super- and female Hamadani recorded a significant iority in the (BR) (24.20 ± 0.860) and (SL) difference (P<0.05) with other breeds. In (72.80 ± 0.663),the latter measurement of the case of (BE) of the male Saklawi recorded a male Saklawi attained the same value of the significant difference (P<0.05) with female male Kehalan (72.80 ± 0.347) and (72.80 ± Saklawi as well as male and female 0.663) respectively, whereas female Kehalan Hamdani. In the parameter (SL) there was no recorded the superiority in (HNP) 62

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Table (3): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 60-84 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Breed

Sub Sex HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

- Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 61.80± 22.00± 58.40± 113.00± 75.60± 69.80± 16.20±

Kehalan ab a ab a ac a ab

0.800 0.447 2.768 0.316 2.112 0.374 0.800

Female

63.00± 22.40± 58.80± 115.40± 78.60± 69.40± 16.40± 0.447ab 0.400a 0.490ab 0.600a 0.400a 0.510a 0.872ab

Male 61.20± 22.20± 61.40± 114.40± 72.40± 70.00± 15.20±

Saklawi a a a a bc a b

0.374 0.374 1.913 0.510 1.503 0.447 0.490

Female

64.80± 22.20± 62.80± 113.80± 72.00± 69.80± 17.80± 2.691b 0.374a 1.908a 0.583a 1.095b 0.583a 0.490a

Male 61.40± 19.80± 54.40± 108.60± 69.60± 70.20± 17.40± Hamadani ab b b b b a a

0.510 0.374 0.510 1.913 0.678 0.374 0.510

Female 63.20± 20.40± 54.80± 108.80± 71.60± 70.60± 17.80± 0.583ab 0.510b 0.583b 0.200b 0.510b 0.510a 0.735a

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

Table (4): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 84-120 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Sub

Sex

Breed HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 63.40± 22.80± 61.00± 113.40± 76.40± 71.00± 16.60±

Kehalan a a a a ab a ac

0.510 0.583 2.720 0.510 2.064 0.447 0.678

Female

64.40± 23.40± 60.60± 116.40± 79.40± 70.60± 17.40± 0.400a 0.400a 0.400a 0.600a 0.510a 0.400a 0.872abc

Male 63.40± 23.20± 62.60± 116.00± 73.80± 70.80± 16.20±

Saklawi a a a a b a a

0.678 0.374 1.887 0.447 1.463 0.374 0.490

Female

65.80± 22.80± 64.00± 115.20± 73.00± 70.80± 18.80± 2.888a 0.374a 1.924a 0.735a 1.000b 0.583a 0.490b

Male 63.00± 20.80± 55.40± 110.40± 73.00± 71.20± 18.40± Hamadani a b b c b a bc

0.548 0.374 0.678 2.088 1.673 0.374 0.510

Female 63.60± 21.40± 54.80± 109.60± 73.00± 71.60± 18.40± 0.812a 0.510b 0.583b 0.980bc 0.548b 0.510a 0.812bc

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 (80.20 ± 0.374) and (NBP) (116.80 ± 0.800). The superiority of the (HeL), (BR), (BE), All the breeds didn't record any significant (SL) and (HNP); (63.90±1.224), difference (P>0.05) in the measurement of (19.30±0.335), (14.00±0.394), (66.10±0.567) (HeL), in the (BR) the male Kehalan and (70.10±0.433) respectively were belong recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) to sub-breed Saklawi, whereas the (NBP) with male and female Hamadani (98.40±0.306) was to Hamadani and finally correspondingly male Saklawi recorded a the sub-breed Kehalan got the highest significant difference (P<0.05) with female measurement (51.70±1.654) of the (NL). Hamadani. The parameter (BE) had a There were significant differences (P<0.05) significant difference (P<0.05) between male among Kehalan and other breeds in the HeL and female Saklawi, in the other hand male and SL, while there were no significant Saklawi recorded a significant difference differences (P>0.05) among all three breeds (P<0.05) with male and female Hamadani, according to the measurements of BE, NL while the (SL) measurement had no and BR, in the other hand, the parameter significant difference (P>0.05) among all HNP recorded a significant difference breeds. In the (HNP) the female Kehalan (P<0.05) of Saklawi with the other two recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) breeds (Table 7) in the (12-36 months with male and female Saklawi as well as group). In 36-60 months group, the sub-breed male and female Hamadani, likewise the Saklawi had the superior values in the (HeL), male Kehalan documented a significance (BR), (NBP) and (NL); (66.70±0.700), difference with female Sakalawi as well as (21.30±0.260), (111.80±0.389) and (60. male and female Hamadani. The male and ±1.386) respectively, while the sub-breed female Hamadani recorded a significant Hamadani acquired the highest value difference (P<0.05) with the other breeds of (69.20±0.291) of the (SL) although the sub- the parameters (NBP) and (NL) (Table 5). breed Kehalan had ther superiority Table 6 enlisted that in (180-240) months (75.40±1.222) of the (HNP). There were group, the superiority in the (HeL), (BE) and significant differences (P<0.05) of Hamadani (NL) measurements (67.00 ± 1.788), (20.60 with the other two breeds in the (HeL), ± 0.678) and (66.00 ± 1.581) respectively (NBP) and (BR), while the parameter (BE) were to the male Hamadani, while the male didn't record any significant difference Saklawi had the superiority in the (BR), (P>0.05) among all breeds, the measure- (HNP) and (NBP); (25.00 ± 0.316), (80.20 ± ments (SL) and (NL) had significant 0.374) and (116.80 ± 0.800) respectively, the differences (P<0.05) of Saklawi when female Saklawi was accordingly got the compared with other both breeds, the (NBP) superiority in (SL) (73.20 ± 0.490). There parameter recorded a significant difference were no significant differences (P>0.05) (P<0.05) belong to Hamadani with both among all breeds in the measurements of Saklawi and Kehalan breeds. The sub-breed (HeL). The male and female Kehalan Saklawi had the superior values in the (HeL), recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) (NL) and shared the Kehalan with same with male and female Hamadani in the (BR). highest values of (BR); (63.00±1.414), The (BE) male Saklawi recorded a (62.10±1.295) and (22.20±0.291 and 22.20± significant difference (P<0.05) with female 0.249) respectively, the highest measure- Saklawi also with male and female ments (BE) (17.60±0.427) as well as (SL) Hamadani, the (SL) acquired no significant (70.40±0.306) were belong to sub-breed difference (P>0.05) among all breeds. The Hamadani, the sub-breed Kehalan had the male and female Kehalan recorded a superiority in the (HNP); (77.10±1.130) and significant difference (P<0.05) with male and (NBP); (114.20±0.512). There were no female Saklawi as well as female Hamadani significant differences (P>0.05) among all in the measurement of (HNP). The (NBP) breeds of the (HeL), (BE) and (SL) measure- and (NL) measurement, in which the male ments, while the (NBP) as well as (BR); and female Hamadani recorded significant Hamadani breeds had a significant difference differences (P<0.05) with the other breeds. (P<0.05) when compared with other breeds. 64

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Table (5): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 120-180 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Breed

Sub Sex HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

- Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 64.20± 24.20± 62.40± 115.40± 78.00± 72.80± 17.60± a a a a ac a ac

Kehalan

0.663 0.860 2.731 0.510 1.924 0.663 0.678

Female

65.20± 24.00± 61.80± 116.80± 80.20± 72.20± 18.40± 0.374a 0.447ab 0.374a 0.800a 0.374a 0.374a 0.872abc

Male 64.00± 24.00± 62.80± 116.00± 75.00± 72.80± 17.00± a ab a a bc a a

Saklawi

0.949 0.316 1.828 0.707 1.449 0.374 0.632

Female 66.20± 23.40± 64.80± 115.60± 74.00± 72.00± 19.80±

2.538a 0.678ac 1.828a 0.812a 0.894bb 0.894a 0.490bc

Male 64.00± 22.40± 55.60± 111.40± 74.00± 72.20± 19.20± Hamadani a bc b b b a c

0.548 0.510 0.748 1.806 1.673 0.374 0.490

Female 64.60± 22.00± 55.60± 111.00± 73.80± 72.20± 19.40± 0.812a 0.316c 0.400b 1.140b 0.583b 0.374a 0.812c

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

Table (6): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the breeds and sex in 180-240 months group (M ± SE). Parameters

Breed

Sub Sex HeL (cm) BR (cm) NL (cm) NBP (cm) HNP (cm) SL (cm) BE (cm)

- Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Mean ± SE

Male 64.60± 22.00± 55.60± 111.00± 73.80± 72.20± 19.40±

Kehalan a a a a a a ab

0.812 0.316 0.400 1.140 0.583 0.374 0.812

Female

64.80± 24.60± 63.60± 116.00 ± 78.60 ± 72.80 ± 18.60 ± 0.583a 0.678a 2.977a 0.447a 1.913a 0.663a 0.872ab

Male 66.00± 25.00 ± 62.00 ± 116.80± 80.20 ± 72.80 ± 19.40 ±

Saklawi a ac a a c a a

1.000 0.316 0.447 0.800 0.374 0.663 0.872

Female

64.20± 24.20 ± 64.00 ± 116.40 ± 75.40 ± 73.20 ± 17.60 ± 0.800a 0.374ac 2.121a 0.812a 1.208bc 0.490a 0.678b

Male 67.00± 24.40 ± 66.00 ± 116.00 ± 74.40 ± 72.40 ± 20.60 ± Hamadani a c b b bc a b

1.788 0.678 1.581 1.000 0.872 0.927 0.678

Female 65.00± 23.20 ± 55.60 ± 111.80 ± 74.40 ± 73.00 ± 20.00± 0.548a 0.583bc 0.748b 2.035b 1.661bc 0.548a 0.548ab

Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 Table (7): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the age (12-84 months) and breeds (M ± SE). (12 Parameters

- HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm) 36 months) group. months) 36 Breeds 58.20± 13.65± 62.40± 68.10± 95.10± 51.70± 19.00± Kehalan 1.052a 0.483a 0.991a 1.027a 1.748a 1.654a 0.258a 63.90± 14.00± 66.10± 70.10± 96.10± 48.20± 19.30± Saklawi 1.224b 0.394a 0.567b 0.433b 1.616a 1.081a 0.335a 61.80± 13.90± 65.40± 67.00± 98.40± 50.30± 18.90± Hamadani b a b a a a a

0.696 0.233 0.400 0.394 0.306 0.844 0.348

(36 Parameters HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm)

60 months) group. months) 60 Breeds 65.80± 15.30± 67.90± 75.40± 110.80± 56.00± 21.00± Kehalan 0.442a 0.496a 0.407a 1.222a 1.281a 1.667a 0.298a 66.70± 15.40± 67.50± 69.60± 111.80± 60.10± 21.30± Saklawi 0.700a 0.542a 0.637b 1.157b 0.389a 1.386b 0.260a 61.40± 16.60± 69.20± 68.40± 104.50± 53.30± 18.70± Hamadani 0.340b 0.476a 0.291a 0.371b 0.342b 0.367a 0.260b

(60 Parameters

- HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm) 84 months) group. months) 84 Breeds 62.40± 16.30± 69.60± 77.10± 114.20± 58.60± 22.20± Kehalan 0.476a 0.556a 0.306a 1.130a 0.512a 1.327a 0.291a 63.00± 16.50± 69.90± 72.20± 114.10± 62.10± 22.20± Saklawi 1.414a 0.543a 0.348a 0.879b 0.379a 1.295b 0.249a 62.30± 17.60± 70.40± 70.60± 108.70± 54.60± 20.10±

Hamadani 0.473a 0.427a 0.306a 0.521b 0.907b 0.371c 0.314b Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

Table (8): The values of the head and neck measurements according to the age (84-240 months) and breeds (M ± SE). Parameters (84 HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm) Breeds

120 months) months) 120

group. 63.90± 17.00± 70.80± 77.90± 114.90± 60.80± 23.10± Kehalan 0.348a 0.537a 0.291a 1.120a 0.623a 1.298a 0.348a 64.60± 17.50± 70.80± 73.40± 115.60± 63.30± 23.00± Saklawi 1.454a 0.543a 0.327a 0.846b 0.427a 1.291a 0.258a 63.30± 18.40± 71.40± 73.00± 110.00± 55.10± 21.10± Hamadani 0.473a 0.452a 0.306a 0.830b 1.095b 0.433b 0.314b

(120 Parameters HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm) Breeds

180 months) months) 180 group. 64.70± 18.00± 72.50± 79.10± 116.10± 62.10± 24.10± Kehalan 0.396a 0.537a 0.373a 0.994a 0.504a 1.303a 0.458a

65.10± 18.40± 72.40± 74.50± 115.80± 63.80± 23.70± Saklawi 1.329a 0.600a 0.476a 0.820b 0.512a 1.263a 0.367a 64.30± 19.30± 72.20± 73.90± 111.20± 55.60± 22.20± Hamadani 0.473a 0.448a 0.249a 0.836b 1.009b 0.400b 0.291b

(180 Parameters HeL (cm) BE (cm) SL (cm) HNP (cm) NBP (cm) NL (cm) BR (cm) Breeds

240 months) months) 240 group. 65.40± 19.00± 72.80± 79.40± 116.40± 62.80± 24.80± Kehalan 0.400a 0.596a 0.442a 0.957a 0.452a 1.444a 0.359a

56.60± 19.10± 72.80± 74.90± 116.20± 65.00± 24.30± Saklawi 1.360a 0.674a 0.512a 0.722b 0.611a 1.291a 0.367a 65.40± 19.80± 73.00± 74.50± 111.90± 56.00± 23.10± Hamadani 0.542a 0.442a 0.365a 0.922b 1.016b 0.577b 0.314b Different letters denote to the significance difference (P<0.05).

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 The parameter (HNP) of Kehalan sub-breed (NBP) (116.10±0.504), while the sub-breed recorded a significant difference (P<0.05) Hamadani had the superiority in the (BE) with the other breeds, besides there were (19.30±0.448). There were also no significant differences (P<0.05) among all significant differences (P>0.05) among all breeds according to (NL) measurement as in breeds in the HeL, BE and SL parameters, (Table 7) in the (60-84 months) group. Table the NBP, NL and BR measurements of 8 conscripted in the (84-120 months) group Hamadani verified significant differences that the sub-breed Saklawi got the superior (P<0.05) with other both breeds, though the measurements in the (HeL), (NBP) and (NL); HNP of Kehalan documented a significant (64.60±1.454), (115.60±0.427) and difference (P<0.05) with other breeds as (63.30±1.291) respectively, while the highest discovered in table-8 in the (120-180 values of the (BR) (23.10±0.348) as well as months) group. Table-8 illuminated in the (HNP) (77.90±1.120) were belong to sub- (180-240 months) group that the sub-breed breed Kehalan, though the sub-breed Saklawi caught the top values of the (HeL) Hamadani caught the top of values in the and (NL); (65.60±1.360) and (65.00±1.291) (BE) (18.40±0.452) and (SL) (71.40±0.306). respectively, also the sub-breed Kehalan had There were no significant differences the superiority of the (BR), ((HNP) and (P>0.05) among all breeds according to the (NBP); (24.80±0.359), (79.40±0.957) and HeL, BE and SL, whereas the NBP, NL and 116.40±0.452) respectively, in the other hand BR of Hamadani breeds recorded significant the greatest measurements as (BE) differences (P<0.05) with other breeds, (19.80±0.442) and (SL) (73.00±0.365) were Kehalan sub-breed noted a significant belong to sub-breed Hamdani. likewise there difference (P<0.05) with other two breeds in were no significant differences (P>0.05) the HNP. As usual, sub-breed Saklawi among all breeds in the HeL, BE and SL attained the superiority of the (HeL) and parameters, Hamadani breeds registered a (NL); (65.10±1.329), (63.80±1.263), with significant difference (P<0.05) with other competition in the characteristics of beauty two breeds in the BR in addition to NL the sub-breed Kehalan got the higher values measurements, in the NB parameter the all in the (BR) (24.10±0.458), (SL) three breeds recorded significant differences (72.50±0.373), (HNP) (79.10±0.994) and (P<0.05) with all of them.

Discussion According to my knowledge, this is the this result agree with (16), this may be due to first study for Iraqi Arabian horses in the the highest speed growth rate of Saklawi than region. The study shows a lot different the other sub-breed. Also Saklawi has the results. The conformation of head and neck superiority at the age (36-60) months with has great importance in horses gait specially (HeL), (BR) and (NL). The Saklawi and sport horses (19). The breeding objective Kehalan at the age (60-84), (84-120) and must be focused on conformation traits (20). (120-180) months have equal superiority in The head and neck conformation determine measurements of head and neck, this may be athletic ability (21), in this regard (22) due to the owner interest and wide spreading proposes that good head and neck and neck – of Kehalan sub-breed in the area of the study body insertion are more important than neck (Al-Dewaniya province) that means the length for dressage ability. (21) as well as owners take care with Kehalan sub-breed confirms that the head-neck connection because of its beauty of body conformation should be favorable to achieve free for that they are breeding this sub-breed with movement and flexion. The results in general supplying and paying more for its nutrition. show clearly the superiority of Saklawi in The Saklawi at the age (180-240) months most conformation measurements of head attain the superiority in the (BR), (SL), and neck of Arabian horses breeds. Saklawi (HNP) and (NBP) these results are has the superiority with (HeL), (BR), (BE), axiomatically due to the Saklawi is continued (SL) and (HNP) at the age (12-36) months with acceleration of growth rates among all 67

AL-Qadisiya Journal of Vet. Med. Sci. Vol. 15 No. 1 2016 the ages stages which included in the present the mean of the neck length is 69.47 cm of study with superiority. The females of all Spanish Arab horses, this result has an breeds have the superiority in most of increment about our result and this may be registered measurements which accord with due to the different breeds of horses. also (23) and (24), this results are very important (13) find as a results of their study in the for horses management; this result may be Noriker draught horse that the mean of the due to the genetic variation of musculo- neck length is 85.7 cm, the head length is skeletal conformation of the females body 65.2 cm, forehead length is 28.1 cm, face especially with Saklawi females. The results length is 40.6 and the forehead width is 25.4 also show that the head and neck measure- cm, While (14) document in their study on ments of all breeds which are included in this stallions of west American breeds that the study are increased according to the advance mean of the head length is 52.6 cm and the of age and this fact is axiomatic phenome- mean of the neck length is 81.46. (15) find in non. The horses have many colors (white, their study on Pura Raza Espanol horse that black, red and brown), the results show the the mean of the head length is 61.30 cm, the white color got the superiority without no circumference of the attached part of the significant differences (P>0.05) among all neck with the head is 89.81 and the circumf- breeds or sexes and this may be due to the erence of the attached part of the neck with genetic variation which accumulates through the body is 146.35 cm at the age 4-7 years. thousands of years of horses' life. In the all these results vary from our results and the related study (11) find that the mean of the reason may be the different breed also. All neck length of Arabian horses is 75.58 cm these important results may direct us to and the mean of the head length is 64.10 cm, conclude that Saklawi sub-breed has the but they didn't mention the age which is superiority in most head and neck morpho- included in their study so the present study logical measurements in most age groups, values may be approximately accord with other morphological parameters of Saklawi their measurements in the advanced ages and with other breeds (rather than the mentioned) this may be due to the variation in the ages of may need detailed researches. the animals of study, while (12) mention that

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