Morphological Characteristics of Pacing Horses and Examination of Breeding
Conditions
This study was carried out in order to examine the body dimensions, colours, markings
and breeding conditions of pacing horses in Afyonkarahisar province. In this study,
morphological characteristics of 117 head different origin pacing horses were examined and,
the conditions of 41 operations and the opinions of 45 horse owners were evaluated.
Height at wither, height at rump, body length, back length, rump length, chest depth,
chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, head length and facial width, was detected
at respectively; 142,4; 142,5; 145,1; 55,4; 49,7; 55,4; 161,4; 17,5; 51,9 and 21.5 cm. Some
body measurements examined, the effect of genotype, gender, and age on the body
measurements were statistically significant. It was determined that horses with native
genotypes and 1 - 3 elder horses had the lowest body size and crossbreds had the lowest body
size among native and foreign genotypes. It was determined that the pacing horses had Bay,
Chestnut, Grey, Black, and Chestnut Paint colours and that the head markings were found in
43.6% of these horses and limb markings were found 34.2% of these horses.
It was found that the operations were tie stall housing and boxed, and the imported
saddle and port bits were widely used in the operations with pacing horses. It is stated that the
training of pacing foals was carried out after the training of the bridle and saddle, with a chain
attached to the horse's foot. It has been determined that, in the selection of pacing horses,
horse owners pay great attention to the past, the temperament, the condition and the foot-nail
structure of horses.
As a result, it was concluded that the pacing horses with native genotypes in
Afyonkarahisar province were smaller than the crossbred and foreign origins. Also, it was
determined that the horses examined had Bay, Chestnut, Grey, and Black colours. Besides, it
was concluded that the breeding conditions of pacing horses should be improved and the
horse owners should be informed about pacing horse training and exercising.
Keywords: Horse, Pacing, Body Measurements, Colours, and Marking, Breeding
INTRODUCTION
Horses have been used in the past for labor force, and are currently being breeding for various
competitions, mostly for sports purposes, and are still used in agriculture in operations with
highlands in some countries (Özbeyaz and Akçapınar, 2005). The number of horses in the
world decreased after the Second World War, and according to the FAO data of 2017,- head horses are in the world. The number of horses in Turkey has decreased in a
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similar way to the developments in the world and is 120040 head horses for the year 2017
(Anonymous, 2019). In Turkey, a significant portion of the horse's presence constitutes
thoroughbred Arabian, British and native horses. Thoroughbred Arabian and British horses are
used in flat racing, while native horses are used in traditional horse sports such as pacing and
javelin.
The pacing is characterized by the limbs moving together on the same side, and when
two feet on one side rise at the same time, the two feet on the other side are on the ground
(Arpacık, 1999). For 2, 3, 4 and 5-year-old foals, pacing runs in Turkey are performed on a
10-meter wide track (Anonymous, 2017d). Anderson et al. (2012) in a study conducted by
pacing horses, named DMRT3 - Ser 301 STOP mutation is reported to have an essential
relationship with pacing. Özbeyaz and his colleagues (2016) found the DMRT3 mutant allele
frequency at the pacing horses in Turkey at 90.7%, 98.40%, 95.80%, and 96.40%,
respectively, in native, Iranian, Afghanistan and Bulgaria origins. Yüceer and his colleagues
(2016b) reported that the pacing horses in Turkey did not differ significantly from the region
regarding genotypically, and that they were considerably different from the Arabian and
British horses and that the allele variety of the pacing horses was much higher than the
Arabian and British horses. In a study carried out by Çağlayan and his colleagues (2010) on
pacing horses in Turkey, the overall average for height at wither, height at rump, body length,
chest depth, chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, and head length was found
respectively; 139,21; 138,28; 141,60; 58,38; 155,30; 17,69; 56,49 cm. In another study carried
out by Yüceeer and his colleagues (2016a), on the Native pacing horses the overall average
for height at wither, height at rump, body length, chest depth, chest circumference, cannon
bone circumference, and head length was found respectively; 138,9; 139,6; 145,5; 61,9;
156,4; 17,0; 52,5 cm. In the studies carried out on native horses in Van and Kars region in
Turkey; Grey, Bay, Chestnut, Roan, Black, Isabel and Buckskin colours were identified.
This study was conducted to examine some body measurements of pacing horses,
determination of colours and markings, breeding conditions in operations, training and
selection of pacing horses.
Material and Method
Material
This study was carried out on 117 head native, crossbred and foreign origin pacing male and
female horses at different ages in Afyonkarahisar province in 2016 and 2017. Moreover, in
this study, the maintenance, feeding and shelter structure of 41 operations and the methods of
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45 horse owners regarding pacing horse training and selection were evaluated. During the
research, measurement, detection, and notifications were recorded in the developed
examination form. In the creation of this form, Yıldırım and Yıldız (2013)’s notifications
were used. The genotype of the horses used in the study was based on the declaration of the
breeder. Also, the age was ascertained by determining the age as well as the declaration of the
breeder. This study was conducted under ethical principles with the letter dated-
and numbered-/105 of the Local Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments at Afyon
Kocatepe University.
Method
Height at wither, height at rump, body height, back length, rump length, chest circumference,
chest depth, frontal cannon bone circumference, head length, and facial width were
determined on a flat surface using the measure cane (Hauptner) and measure strip (Arpacık,
1999). The training of pacing horses, colour and marking, Shelter type, feeding, grooming
condition, and frequency, blacksmith supply, horseshoe using, saddle and gem type, training
obtained from face-to-face interviews with horse owners, training frequency and duration, the
importance of selection of pacing horses and frequently encountered injuries were recorded in
the study form. For statistical evaluations of the obtained body measurements, Yijkl = μ + Gi +
Sj + Ak +eijkl model was used in variance analysis. In this model; Yijk : Observation value, μ :
Expected mean value, Gi : Effect of genotype (i=native, foreign and crossbred), Sj : The effect
of gender (j = male and female), Ak= Effect of age (k=1-3, 4-6 and 7≤) and eijkl : Represents
the random error. In each subgroup, the mean was compared with the Duncan test.
Information about maintenance, feeding, training and selection preferences of horse owners in
operations is given in proportion ( % ). PASW Statistics 18.0 program was used in
calculations (Anonymous, 2008).
Findings
Morphological Characteristics of Pacing Horses
The values of body measurements of pacing horses in the province of Afyonkarahisar are
displayed in Table 1. In these horses, the height at wither, height at the rump, body length,
chest depth, chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, head length and the facial
width for general average was detected respectively; 142,4; 142,5; 145,1; 55,4; 161,4; 17,5
and 51.9 cm. The effects of genotype, gender, and age on some body measurements were
found statistically significant. Concerning genotype, the lowest body size values were
determined on native pacing horses. Regarding age, the lowest body size values were found to
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be 1-3 years old. In this study, it was concluded that pacing horses had Bay (53.0%), Chestnut
(23.1%), Roan (18.8%), Black (4.2%) and Chestnut Piebald (0.9%) colours. Besides, 43.6%
of these horses had head markings, and 34.2% of these horses had limb markings.
Yetiştirme Şartları, Bakım ve Besleme
In this study, breeding conditions, housing, maintenance, and feeding information were
examined in the operations visited. It was found that the shelters were tie stall housing
(75.6%) and boxed stall (24.4%). 3 to 5 kg/day roughage (hay, fodder, alfalfa, vetch) and 3 to
6 kg/day concentrated feed (barley or vetch ration and oats) were reported to be given to
horses in operations. Also, the proportion of giving vitamin - mineral mixtures (powder,
injectable and licking block), dry grapes (raisins) and carrots were found to be 73.17% in
operations. It has been stated that 92.7% of the visited operations were grooming and 68.3%
of them were purchasing blacksmith from outside the operations. Additionally, it was
determined that the horseshoe type mounted on pacing horses is usually close type shoes
(78% is in competitions, 75.5% is outside of the competition, all closed, only the front legs
closed or only the hind legs closed) and imported saddle (73.2%) and a port bit (90.2%) was
used.
During the meetings with the pacing horse owners, only 14 owners said they were
interested in pacing horse training. On the other hand, they expressed the age of manege on
horses as 18, 24 and 25 months. It is stated that horses were given training for 60-120 minutes
per day and the experience of the trainers was over five years. It was stated that the training of
pacing foals was continued by attaching chains to the foal's foot after the training of the bridle
and saddle. During the face-to-face meetings with horse owners, 31 breeders stated that they
exercise their horses regularly and 14 did not. The duration of exercising on horses is between
30-120 minutes, and the majority of the breeders have 60 and 120 minutes of exercising. In
the determination of injuries, the breeders stated that they are mostly encountering, bruise
cupping injuries, tarsus injuries, and mouth or saddle injuries caused by the bridle. Table 2
displays the findings regarding the issues that horse owners pay attention to in the selection of
pacing horse. It was determined that horse owners paid extra attention to their past (71.1%),
temperament (71.1%), condition (68.9%) and foot-nail structure (62.2%) when choosing
pacing horses.
DISCUSSION
Morphological Characteristics of Pacing Horses
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The characteristics of pacing horses in the province of Afyonkarahisar, such as the height
at wither, height at the rump, body length and chest circumference overall averages, were
higher than the values reported by Caglayan and his colleagues (2010) for pacing
horses.When the body measurements obtained in this study were examined regarding
genotype, the values of native genotyped horses were generally lower than those of crossbreds
and foreign origins. Similar to the statements of Yüceer and his colleagues(2016a), this
situation shows that native genotyped pacing horses were smaller than other genotyped horses
examined. In this study, height at wither, height at the rump and body length averages for
native genotyped horses (Kırmızıbayrak et.al., 2004; Bayram et.al., 2005) were higher than
those reported in the studies on native horses in Van and Kars provinces. On the other hand,
the values reported by Yüceer and his colleagues(2016a) for pacing native genotyped horses
and the values reported for thoroughbred Arabian horses in Turkey (Hacan, 2011) were lower
than body size values. This may be due to factors such as genotype, maintenance, and feeding.
Also, it was found that the height of wither of the horses examined in this study was in the
range (133-142 CM) reported for Paso Fino horse and higher than Icelandic horse.
(Anonymous, 2017 a, b). The length values of the back and rump were the lowest on the
native pacing horses. The facial width is similar to the native and crossbred genotypes and is
lower than the foreign origin horses.
In this study, it was found that examined pacing horses had Bay (53.0%), Chestnut
(23.1%), Grey (18.8%), Black (4.2%) and Chestnut Painted (0.9%) colours. Also, in 43.6%
head and 34.2% limb markings was detected. It is known that, Saddlebred (famous pacing
horse), Ayvacık Pony, and Canik Horses had Bay, Black, Grey, Chestnut, and Chestnut paint
colours, in a study, carried out on the Arabian horses in Turkey, Chestnut (47.19%), Grey
(40.43%) and Bay (12.38%) colours were found. (Arıtürk, 1956; Güleç, 1995; Hacan, 2011;
Anonymous, 2017c). The presence of Chestnut, Bay and Grey colours in the native horses in
Kars region is mentioned, in addition to these colours in the horses in Van region, the
presence of Black, Roan, Buckskin, and Isabelline colours have also been reported
(Kırmızıbayrak and et. al. 2004; Bayram and et. al., 2005).
Breeding Conditions, Care, and Feeding
It has been determined that the houses in the province of Afyonkarahisar are tie stall housing
(75.6%) and individual compartments (24.4%). Horses in tie stall housing operations, the
possibility of movement is restricted, which is considered to be a disadvantage regarding
horse performance. Besides, according to observations and determinations made during the
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research; housing measures and ventilation facilities concerning housing conditions are
thought to be improved. While 92.7% of the operations stated that they were grooming
regularly, 68.3% said they were bringing the blacksmith from the outside. Grooming in
operations is an affirmative situation. The saddle used in pacing horses is usually imported
(European origin), and they use port bit. It is considered preferable because the imported
saddle is robust and the port bit gives the rider an advantage in horse control. On the other
hand, almost half (41.5%) of the operations used closed horseshoe on four feet, and 36.5%
stated that they used closed horseshoe on the front legs only or the hind legs only. Closed
horseshoe is considered to be preferred because of the protection of the feet of the horses on
the racetrack. It was stated that horses were given 3 to 5 kg/day coarse fodder (hay, fodder,
alfalfa, vetch), 3 to 6 kg/day concentrated feed (ration or factory feed made of barley, vetch,
and oats) and 73,17% of the operations were given vitamin - mineral mixtures (powder,
injectable and licking block), raisins and carrots. It is a positive situation to use vitaminmineral mixtures to feed horses in an essential part of operations and to pay attention to
nutrition. Hence, the observations and determinations made during the research, the horses,
were seen in healthy condition.
In the meetings held with the owners of pacing horse, it was determined that only 14 of
them were interested in pacing horse training. These breeders expressed the age of the horses
to start training as 18, 24 and 25 months. Also, it has been determined that after the training of
the bridle and saddle, the horse continued with the chain attached to the foot. This practice is
thought to be performed to ensure that the limbs on the same side move together. During the
meetings with the horse owners, 31 (68.9%) stated that they regularly exercise their horses, 14
(31.1%) did not exercise, but they only mount the horse intermittently. The training and
exercising schedule applied to the horses needs to be developed. In the determination of
injuries; 36 of the breeders did not encounter injuries, 9 of them said that pastern, tarsus,
bridle, and saddle related injuries were the most experienced. Such situations can occur during
the use of horses, so this makes the bridle, saddle and foot problems are even more prominent.
Horse owners stated that they paid more attention to the horse's past (71.1%), temperament
(71.1%), condition (68.9%) and foot-nail structure (62.2%) in the selection of pacing horses.
Especially in the relatives of the horse, (mother, father, siblings) pacing is a primary criterion.
Because in studies carried out on pacing horses, it is reported that horses with DMRT3 gene
are prone to pacing, and therefore this gene frequency is high in pacing horses (Anderson
et.al., 2012).
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As a result, it was found that the native pacing horses in the province of Afyonkarahisar
were smaller than those of crossbreds and foreign origins and Bay, Chestnut and Grey
coloured horses were found intensively. Besides, it was concluded that the breeding
conditions of pacing horses should be improved and the horse owners should be informed
about horse training and exercising.
Acknowledgments
We thank the pacing horse owners.
Table 1. Minimum Squares Means, and Standard Errors of Body Sizes On Pacing Horses
Table 2. Selection Of Horse Owners At Pacing Horses
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