Comparative study of the body development of horses from the Breeds Polish Konik and Karakachan Horse

Maya Popova

Abstract: The main body measurements and body indices of 36 horses from the imported breed Polish Konik have been analyzed. The set of data included 264 body measurements. The average values of the body measurements of the Polish Konik horses imported and born in Bulgaria are: height at the withers – 136.00 ± 1.31 cm, height at the back – 129.75 ± 1.19 cm, body length – 149.00 ± 1.77 cm, chest depth – 62.25 ± 0.85 cm, chest width – 38.38 ± 0.70 cm, chest girth – 169.63 ± 2.39 cm and cannon girth – 18.49 ± 0.17 cm. The indices are with the following average values: for chest index – 61.69±1.07%, massiveness – 124.54±1.50%, compactness – 113.64±1.32%, leg length – 54.32±0.39%, body ratio – 100.7±0.4% and for bone development – 13.60±0.16%. A comparative analysis showed that the body of the horses of the Karakachan breed is slightly longer than that of the horses of the Polish Konik breed. The Polish Konik horses are more massive, and the Karakachan horses are more compact in comparison. Both breeds have a well-developed bone system and are with slightly downhill built.

Keywords: body indices; body measurements; exterior; Konnik Polski.

Date published: 2022-11-02