MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE EQUINE BARBE BREED IN NORTHWEST OF ALGERIA

Abstract

The Barbe horse occupies a prominent place in the history, culture and traditions of Algeria; it is at the base of the evolution of the main equine breeds in Maghreb. Nineteen (19) measurements were made on 58 pure and presumed Barbe horses (uncertain origins), all aged three years and over. From these, six body indices were calculated and live weight estimated. The cephalic profile survey was also performed. Statistical analyzes were carried out on these different measurements by software R 2.15.2 and XLSTAT2016. The statistical tests used were of the descriptive and analytical type including among others, the calculation of means, standard deviation, and principal componentanalysis (PCA) and ascending hierarchical classification (CAH). We also estimated genetic diversity by Shannon and Weaver index. They find that the Algerian Barbe horse is a eumetric, mediolinear horse with a body index of 0.955, (squared horse), with a median size of (152.5) cm, a chest of (175.5) cm and a posterior
(19.8) cm and anterior (20.6) cm canon. It has a slightly hooked convex cephalic profile and a predominantly chestnut robe. Its characteristics make the horse Barbe of Algeria conform to the standard as defined by the world organization of the horse Barbe.