The Morphological Character of the “Bendi” Horse as Short Distance Urban Transport Modes
that are Environmentally Friendly
Sri Adiani1, Ben J
Takaendengan1, Dordia A Rotinsulu2
1Department of Animal Production and Breeding Technology, Faculty of
Animal Science, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, North Sulawesi, Manado 95115,
Indonesia.
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to search for and
compare the morphological characteristics of the horse minahasa which serves as
a means of urban transport close range. Body measurements and live-weight were
taken on 90 Minahasa horses (32 mares and 58 stallions). A multivariate
approach was adopted to provide description of both body shape and body size of
two Minahasa local horse populations, i.e. Manado and South Minahasa (Minsel).
Statistical methods employed in this study were test of the difference between
two means square and T student. The results showed that the average of body weight and body measurements,
for example such as heart girth, chest width, chest depth, wither height, hip
height, hip width, body length, thigh circumference, head length and face width
of the horse population in the two areas were not significantly different
(P<0.05). Meanwhile character of the head lenght and
neck lenght of the horse population in the two regions were significantly
different (P>0.05), with the horses in Manado has a neck and head size is
longer than the horses in South Minahasa. These results indicate that the
population of horses in both regions have similarities in weight and body
measurements, but have slight differences in the length of the neck and head
were allegedly due to the dominating influence of gender differences in the two
populations in the area.
Keywords: morphological indices, local horses, function
1. Introduction
Characterization of local breeds is very important in
maintaining animal genetic resources (Lanari et al., 2003). Despite the modernization of agriculture,
Minahasa local horse, in North Sulawesi plays an important role in the rural
area. The horses are mainly used in agriculture, light traction, riding and
leisure activities. In order to differentiate variation in both size and shape,
body measurements of animals were used to describe morphological
differentiation in large animals (Gilbert et al., 1993; Shahin et al., 1995.
Nowadays body weight and body measurements are
indispensable in the suspect animal breeds that have been able to adapt to the
environment which would be characteristic of the animal. Obviously the necessary assessment of the properties
of body size and body weight on the horse population in the city of Manado and
South Minahasa Regency is to get an accurate picture about the type and what
kind of horse that can work well and fit the surroundings.
2.
Materials and Methods
2.1
Materials
City of Manado and Minahasa District is two coastal cities still take
the horse as a mode of transport from downtown to the settlement in the range
of 5 to 10 kilometers. A number of local horse called 'Bendi' randomly selected
in this study were 32 mares and 58 stallions. Age was ranged between two and
seven years old. The unhealthy and pregnant ones were excluded. Age was
primarily determined by dentition as described by Owen & Bullock (2002).
2.2
Methods
Eleven different body measurements were taken on each
horse population. These include: wither height, body length, chest width, chest
depth, heart girth, hip height, hip
width, head length, collar length and
face width. Height measurements were assessed by using a graduated measuring
stick, the length and circumference used a flexible tape, meanwhile calibrated
wooden caliper was used for the width measurements. The procedure and
anatomical reference points for the respective body measurements with fewer
modifications described elsewhere by Salako & Ngere (2002). Pregnant horse data were excluded as
sample due to anatomical changes (thoracic size) which can mislead the
measurement. Measurements were done by the same person to avoid from human
error.
2.3
Statistic Analysis
The descriptive analysis such as mean, standard deviation and
coefficient of variability of each body measurement were estimated using
PROCMEANS procedure of the SAS package (SAS, 2000). Test
comparison of two means with unbalanced use of data and continued with the T
test.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Results
Result of the
descriptive analyses of live weight and body measurements of the Minahasa local
horse for both sexes are presented in Table 1. It’s showed that the Manado
horses were slightly heavier than Minsel horses but T test result showed that
the two populations have a body weight that is not significantly different
(P<0.05). The same phenomena were found for heart girth, chest width, chest
depth, wither height, hip height, hip width, body length, thigh circumference
and face width measurements respectively. Considering quite a few measurements,
the horse from Manado and South Minahasa has similar body size measurement
except the head length and neck length.
Table 1. Descriptive statistics and morphological indices of the
quantitative traits of Bendi horse
Variable (cm)
|
District
|
|
Manado (N=57)
|
Minsel (N=33)
|
|
Life Weight (kg)
|
201.26±40.44a
|
191.09±20.40a
|
Heart Girth
|
136.72±8.74a
|
136.58±4.87a
|
Chest Width
|
25.63±2.48a
|
26.64±1.69a
|
Chest Depth
|
50.63±3.95a
|
52.03±2.97a
|
Wither Height
|
116.54±6.12a
|
116.06±4.56a
|
Hip Height
|
117.49±6.47a
|
117.64±4.63a
|
Hip Width
|
33.91±5.17a
|
38.55±2.03c
|
Body Lenght
|
113.80±4.91a
|
115.78±3.16ac
|
Thigh Circumference
|
36.60±2.87a
|
38.21±1.87ac
|
Colar Lenght
|
53.68±4.25a
|
50.61±4.50b
|
Face Width
|
19.54±1.12a
|
19.42±0.75a
|
Head Length
|
47.26±3.07a
|
45.00±1.84c
|
 |
| Manado horse |
 |
| South Minahasa Horse |
3.2 Discussion
The size is
almost similar to the body size of pony breeds at the same age. However, some
local horse populations in Minahasa were speculated that they are originated
from the crossing of many breeds for centuries. Noor (2008) affirmed that
the adaptation to environment which yielded a fertilized offspring were good to
develop as indigenous breeds since the ability to adapt to specific
environmental pressure.
Size of body
measurement variation indicates the existence of selection, and could be due to
the influence of same environment. Although there is a noticeable difference in
the length of the head and neck of the horse in the two populations but
according Takaendengan (2011) in particular, variations in length of head very
slightly due to its close association with the bones of the skull. The possibility
that the differences due to the influence of gender, where the most population
of horses in Manado are male and the reverse in South Minahasa.
The high
variability shown by the large standard deviation values associated with the
measurements can also be a reflection of wide disparity among the sample size which
can not identified yet. Similarities between the body measurements of males and
females have been reported in cattle (Salako and Ngere, 2002).
4. CONCLUSION
Based on this study concluded that the morphological
characters of 'Bendi' horses in the city of Manado and South Minahasa Regency
has the same size with a pony and suitable for use as a mode of short-distance
transport of air pollution-free and environmentally friendly.
5. REFERENCES
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Takaendengan, B.J., R.R.Noor, & S. Adiani. 2011. Morphometric Characterization of Minahasa Horse Its Breeding and
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6. NOTES:
This paper was presented in:
The International Workshop of Tropical Bio-resources for Sustainable Development "The Role of Innovation to Enhance German Alumni in Scientific and Professional Capacities". IPB Internastional Convention Center, Bogor, 13rd-15th August 2014.
The Proceeding was published by:
Directorate of Career Development and Alumni Affairs (CDA), Bogor Agricultural University
Southeast Asia Germany Alumni Networks (SEAG)
Deutscher Akademisher Austauschdienst (DAAD).
ISBN: 978-602-98410-1-5
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