O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os índices morfométricos para garanhões, machos castrados e fêmeas da raça Campolina, bem como caracterizá-los morfologicamente. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as medidas lineares de 4.840 garanhões, 19.037 fêmeas e 1.371 machos castrados, obtidas no banco de dados do Serviço de Registro Genealógico da ABCCCampolina, com base nas quais nove índices morfométricos foram calculados utilizando-se seis medidas lineares. A análise de variância foi realizada para avaliar o efeito do sexo e da idade sobre os índices obtidos. Verificou-se que ambos os fatores influenciaram os índices morfométricos. Garanhões apresentaram peso calculado aproximado superior tanto às fêmeas quanto aos machos castrados. De acordo com o índice peitoral, todas as categorias foram classificadas como "longe do chão". Em relação aos valores médios dos índices corporal e dáctilo torácico, garanhões e castrados foram classificados como mediolíneos e eumétricos, respectivamente, enquanto as fêmeas foram classificadas como brevilíneas e hipométricas. Conclui-se que os machos castrados e os garanhões da raça Campolina enquadram-se no padrão da raça para animais tipo sela, mas as fêmeas não. Entretanto, os índices de compacidade 1 e 2 apresentam resultados contraditórios e precisam ser melhor avaliados para fins de uso em classificações. Para a maioria dos índices, os animais castrados apresentaram-se melhor proporcionados que as demais categorias.

Known as an animal of multiple functions, the Equus asinus has always been used for various purposes, such as entertainment, horseback riding, means of transport, agricultural traction and dairy farming. Although, donkeys are associated with a vast heritage of social, cultural, economic and ecological importance, they have lost their importance in the activities of rural properties, both in the developed economies of European countries and in the Northeast region of Brazil. Specific studies of production systems aimed rational exploitation of the donkey species in Brazil do not exist. New perspectives for the use of donkey in the Brazilian semiarid region through the dairy industry has aroused scientific interest and the interest of investors. The donkey, allied to the low production costs and rusticity of the species, has the capacity to contribute to the economy with products of high biological value and therapeutic characteristics. Thus, this review provided a broad view of the donkey bred in the Northeast of Brazil, observing its characteristics and relevance for the region. The benefits of donkey milk and the need to promote the production and marketing of this milk in the dairy production chain will also be discussed.

This study analyzed the demographic and biometric changes in registered animals of the Mangalarga breed over the decades. Information from 206,428 Mangalarga horses born between 1930 and 2018 extracted from the genealogic registry system of the Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Cavalos da Raça Mangalarga was employed. The data referred to sex, birth date, fur coat, breeding site location, score achieved at genealogic registration, and three body measurements. Height at withers and the thoracic and cannon bone circumferences were used to calculate five morphometric indices. Results were submitted to analysis of variance using a completely randomized split-plot design where the plots comprised the sexes and the split-plots comprised the decades of selection. Between 1930 and 1990, genealogic registrations progressively increased, particularly in the 1970s and 80s, when the herd experienced the highest growth rate. In 2018, Mangalarga breeding sites were reported in 23 Brazilian states and the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Bahia held the largest herds. Between 1970 and 2018, the height at withers of mares, stallions, and geldings increased by 5.1, 3.1, and 2.1 cm, respectively. The thoracic circumference of stallions increased by 3.3 cm and the cannon bone circumference of mares decreased by 0.34 cm. It is concluded that the Mangalarga breed is found across Brazil, especially in the Southeast region. Irrespective of sex, the selection of the breed has led to taller Mangalarga horses. In addition, the stallions became heavier and gained thoracic circumference, while mares became hypometric.

The present study used mobile bags to estimate horse nutrient digestibility of tropical grasses found in semi-arid areas of the Brazilian Northeast region. Five female mixed-breed horses with a mean weight of 400±23 kg were assigned to a 5×5 Latin square design with five periods of seven days and five grasses: Tifton 85 hay ( Cynodon spp. ), sixweeks threeawn ( Aristida adscensionis Linn.), Alexandergrass ( Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc), capim-de-raiz ( Chloris orthonoton Doell), and Sabi grass ( [...] ABSTRACT The present study used mobile bags to estimate horse nutrient digestibility of tropical grasses found in semi-arid areas of the Brazilian Northeast region. Five female mixed-breed horses with a mean weight of 400±23 kg were assigned to a 5×5 Latin square design with five periods of seven days and five grasses: Tifton 85 hay ( Cynodon spp. ), sixweeks threeawn ( Aristida adscensionis Linn.), Alexandergrass ( Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc), capim-de-raiz ( Chloris orthonoton Doell), and Sabi grass (

This study aimed to determine the participation frequency and competitive performance of Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador horses in national shows concerning marcha type, sex, and age. To that end, the trial results of national horse shows between 2007 and 2017, comprising 1,781 Campolina and 5,239 Mangalarga Marchador animals, were extracted from the databases of the breeders’ associations of each breed. The results regarding participation frequency in these events and the performance achieved by horses were grouped by breed, marcha type, sex, and age group and then subjected to frequency distribution tests. In both breeds, most animals attended only one national show. However, when the specimens were separated by marcha type, sex, and age, it was observed that 54.39% of marcha batida Campolina males competed twice, with greater participation of adult horses (41.41%) than of young ones (22.22%). For Mangalarga Marchador, irrespective of gait type, the proportion of adult horses (67.22%) that competed was higher than that of young ones (25.63%). For marcha picada competitors, the proportion between young (13.97%) and adult (81.91%) was even higher. It was concluded that, over their competitive careers, most horses of either breed attended only one national show, that marcha picada animals usually compete only when adults, and that marcha batida females compete more often when young. In addition, the age group in which competitors achieve their best performances varies according to the specimen.