Variance analyses for biometric measures of the Pantaneiro horse in Brazil

Data were available on 1034 animals registered in the genealogical registration book of the Brazilian Pantaneiro Horse Breeders Association (ABCCP) from 1991 to 2000. Fifteen linear measures were analyzed using GLM, PRINCOMP and CORR procedures of SAS. In general, the effect of the factors studied were important (p<0.01) causes of variation for all the 15 traits except for month of birth that wasn't significant (p>0.05). Sex is significant (p<0.01) for most traits. Sex did not affect the back loin length. The factor subregion and breeder within subregion were significant (p<0.01) for all measures, except head width, which wasn't significant. This may present a preference for type of animals for breeder within subregion. Of all the traits, body length and chest width were significant (p<0.01) for age. The month of registration wasn't significant for the wither height, croup height and head width. The year of registration wasn't significant for wither height, back height, croup height, midback height and shin bone perimeter. Of the traits examined, the variance coefficients in general were low. The correlation between heights were in general high. The correlation between height and others measures were medium, except for with body width which was higher (0.52). Body width and the other widths had a tendency to have higher correlations. The variation must be carefully monitored along with inbreeding coefficients to ensure that the decrease in variability does not adversely affect the beneficial characteristics of this breed.