Monitoring of growth and limb conformation of young stallions in Schleswig Holstein. 1st communication: Analysis of growth development of young stallions in Schleswig Holstein

One aspect of the study was the monitoring of growth development of 297 young stallions (Holstein Warmblood) sired by 76 stallions. In addition the influence of the environment and genetics were estimated. Standards of growth of Warmblood horses aged between six and 24 months using polynom and spline approximations were developed. Growth of body weight and height at withers was almost linear within the first year of life and decreased almost continuously afterwards. The fixed effects breeding farm, month of measurement and age compared to the season of birth had a highly significant influence on all four growth traits. Increasing  eritabilities for bodyweight (h2 = 0.07–0.12) and height at withers (h2 = 0.19–0.26) with growing age, showed a higher dependency of bodyweight development by environmental influences. In practise therefore monthly monitoring of growth makes an important contribution to optimize rearing of young horses. Significant deviations from the estimated growth curves make corrections of the rearing conditions reasonable. Regularly weighing and measuring of the height of withers are objective evaluation criterias and together with the judgement of the feeding condition of the growing horses using the body condition scoring they are able to improve the rearing conditions significant. An individual feeding and exercise management balanced on that therefore allow a healthy and optimal growth development.

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