Hide
Show all
Email this article Monterufoli Pony Morphological Characterization and Standard Breed Updating
Abstract
The Monterufoli pony is an endangered Tuscan breed-population, and the aim of this work is the domestic biodiversity conservation. This pony derives from the province of Pisa and in the past was an appreciated driving equine. It derives from wild extinct equines that lived in central Tuscany and has Maremmano, Tolfetano and Oriental ancestors. The selection and the improvement of this population began in the early 1900. Up to now Braccini published the most complete “standard breed” in 1947. Since the 60’s the reduction of Monterufoli pony population began and this equine risked extinction. In the 80’s local and state breeders re-introduced this pony in some areas of Tuscany. The standard breed was updated in this study, and a comparison between males and females was performed. The average sizes were: height at withers of 135.0±1.7 and 128.6±1.7, thorax circumference of 162.4±3.7 and 163.5±4.0, front shank circumference of 17.9±0.3 and 16.2±0.4, for males and females, respectively. The measures of adult females were estimated by ANOVA considering three different classes of age (3-4, 5-6 and over 6 years old). Thorax height, Croup length and bi-ischium height were higher in over 6 year old females. All ponies had dark coat. Monterufoli ponies showed the phenotypical features of the breeds that contributed to improve the local population: over 80% of population had convex nose typical of Maremmano and Tolfetano horses. The comparison between the 1947 standard breed and the actual standard breed showed that the “old” Monterufoli pony was more dolicomorphic than the modern pony.
Keywords: Biometrics, Breed standard, Body Index, Monterufoli Pony, Morphological characteristics
Introduction
This work deals with the preservation of local animal genetic resources, and gives special attention to the Monterufoli pony morphological and somatic characterization. This equine derives from the homonym area in the Pisa province, and its origin goes back to 1913, when the Countess Wrangler Della Gherardesca began the selection of local ponies with Maremmano, Tolfetano and Oriental horses (Arzilli, 2006). Maremmano horse promoted the breed enlargement, while small-sized Tolfetano and Oriental horses given to the breed frugality and endurance (Braccini, 1947; Gandini and Rognoni, 1997; Arzilli, 2006). The Monterufoli pony was adapted to a hard geopedolologycal substrate, characterized by ophiolithic outcrops containing dangerous minerals for plants and animals. These limiting conditions furthered the development of poor pastures for the herbivorous. This natural environment determined some anatomical characteristics: the small size, the compact body, the very strong hooves (Tocci, 2015), and some typical deviation from the normal skeletal structure of legs.
In the 1947, Braccini described the morphological characters of this pony and the author developed the first “standard breed”. The technical and economic development and motorization allowed the end of animal traction, and the Monterufoli pony risked extinction. In the 80’s the recovery of this pony began, and some horse breeders, cooperated in the Monterufoli pony re-introduction. Now this equine is listed in the “Registro Anagrafico delle popolazioni Equine riconducibili a gruppi etnici locali” and it is included in the “Repertorio delle Risorse Genetiche Autoctone Animali della Toscana”, provided for the L.R. (Regional Law) 50/97. In the “Registro Anagrafico delle popolazioni Equine riconducibili a gruppi etnici locali” the Monterufoli pony standard breed are shown with height at withers, thorax circumference, and front shank circumference in males and females. In 1990 there were 59 Monterufoli ponies, now there are 283 individuals: 14 males, 71 mares and 198 foals, distributed in 108 farms (Aia, 2015). The Monterufoli pony main aptitudes are the saddle, especially for children and inexperienced adult riders, and the driving. The aim of the work is the biometrical and morphological characterization of the actual population, also estimated through the comparison with the historical measures of 1947, performed by Braccini, when the Monterufoli pony was widespread.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For biometric characteristics and morphological evaluation, 40 animals, reared in 6 different farms, was chosen. Two state farms: “Corpo Forestale dello Stato” in Cornocchia (Si), and “Comunità Montana dell’Alta Val di Cecina” in Pomarance (Pi), and four private farms in Livorno, Grosseto, Siena provinces. The biometrics were performed on 32 adult females, and in 8 6-year old stallions. The biometics of these males were compared with the biometrics of 8 6-year old females. Female biometrics of different age (10 of 3-4 years old, 8 of 6 years old and 14 over 6 years old) were also compared. Finally, 10 3-4-years old and adult females’ biometrics and the body indices were compared with the homologous parameters studied by Braccini in 1947 in ten 3-4 years old females (Braccini, 1947). The Braccini materials and methods were the same used in this trial.
In this study the following body measures were taken: heights at withers, at croup, and thorax; head lengths (arc and chord in the profile), thorax, trunk, croup, front shank, front leg, neck, back, kidney region, shoulder, arm, forearm, thig, gaskin, fetlock; head, breast, thorax and pelvis widths (bi-ilium, bi-trochanter and bi-ischium); thorax, front shank, and hind shank circumferences (Catalano, 1984). The height at withers and the height at croup were measured by stick, the body widths with a caliper, and the body lengths and the circumferences were measured by tape measure. Moreover the following Body Indices were calculated: Height Thoracic Index (HTI) = height of thorax/height at withers x 100; Corporal Index (CI) = length of trunk/thoracic circumference x 100; Lateral Body Conformation (LBC) = height at withers/length of trunk x 100; Lateral Trunk Conformation (LTC) = thoracic height/length of trunk x 100; Thoracic Circumference Index (TCI) = thoracic circumference/height at withers x 100; Transversal Body Conformation (TBC) = length of thorax/height at withers x 100; Dactyl-Thoracic Index (DTI) = front shank circumference/thoracic circumference x 100; Thoracic Index (TI) = length of thorax/height of thorax x 100; Relative Length Trunk (RLT) = length of trunk/height at withers x 100 (Meregalli, 1980; Catalano, 1984; Meregalli and Giorgetti, 1996). The Monterufoli Pony measures and body indices were compared through GLM for Unbalanced ANOVA with JMP statistical software JMP 10 (SAS Institute, 2013) considering as fixed factor the sex. Same statistical model was used for the female’s body measures and body indices considering three different class of age, and for the differences between the actual and the historical (1947) female measures and body indices. Means were compared with t student test, and when the factors were more than two were compared with Tukey test. Furthermore, in all females and males, the percentage frequency of morphological characteristics were calculated.
RESULTS
Males were taller than females (table 1), which showed lesser height at withers and height at croup. Males also showed higher thorax length and front shank circumference.
Thorax height, thorax width, thorax circumference, trunk length, croup length, bi-ilium width, bi-ischium width, breast width, leg length and front shank length were homogeneous between females and males. Head width, neck length, fetlock length were higher in males and back length was higher in females. Head width, neck width and fetlock length were higher in males. Back length was higher in females (table 2). Dactyl-thoracic Index (DTI) and the Thoracic Index (TI) were higher in males (table 3). In table 4, the variance analysis showed that the 3-4 years old females were well developed; only bi-ischium ended the full development in 6 years old females, while thorax height and croup length reached the maximum develop in over 6 years old females.
http://www.gjasr.com/index.php/GJASR/downloadFile/372/1970
The zoognostic measures (table 5) and the body indices (table 6) didn’t show significant variations.
In table 7 and 8 some measures of the modern Monterufoli pony were compared with the same measures of Monterufoli pony studied by Braccini in 1947, when this equine was widespread. The modern 3-4 years old females have shown similar height at withers, higher thorax circumference, and higher head length than the homologous historical data (table 7). CI and TCI were higher in modern equines. The height at withers of adult females of 1947 was higher than the same measure of modern equines (table 8). All ponies showed dark coat, and two females showed a reddish spots coat. The most part of evaluated equines showed conical head (90.6% and 100% for females and males respectively) and straight profile (87.5% and 83.3% for females and males respectively). The entirety of population showed dark and simple mane. The tail was always black; the 81.2% of females and the 83.3% of males showed smooth tail. The totality of females and the 66.6% of males showed inclined rump with low tail junction. Females and males showed a compact hoof, free from chipping and/or rings. These characteristics indicated though hooves. The hoof was black, and only a female (3.13%) showed a partially depigmented hoof.
Only females were with coronet or fetlock (12.5 %); stars were in females and in males, in a percentage of 12.5 % in both sexes. Two males (25.0 %) showed trace stars. Just males were unsound: 50% was knock-knees in front leg, and another 50 % was cow-hocked in hind limb.
DISCUSSION
Height at withers was comparable in females with the “standard breed” (http://www.aia.it/, 2015) and with Tocci et al., (2007) biometrics. In males, this parameter was comparable with those of Gennero and Calcagni (1985) and Tocci et al., (2007), higher than the actual “standard breed” (http://www.aia.it/, 2015), and lower than those of Arzilli (2006). Thorax circumference in both sexes was comparable with the same parameter reported in “standard breed” and in literature (Gennero and Calcagni, 1985; Arzilli, 2006; Tocci et al., 2007). The males’ front shank circumference was comparable with AIA, Arzilli (2006), and Tocci et al., (2007) biometrics (2015), and lower than that of Gennero and Calcagni (1985) biometrics. The females’ front shank circumference was lower than those of AIA and literature (Tocci et al., 2007) biometrics. Higher thorax length and higher front shank circumference in males led to a higher Thoracic Index (TI) and to a higher dactyl-thoracic Index (DTI). Other indices were homogeneous between females and males, showing low sexual dimorphism. In a previous study (Tocci et al., 2007) TI and DTI was similar. Low sexual dimorphism was also confirmed by the measures of the different somatic regions.
All tables 1 and 2 measures, the Body Indices in table 3, especially the CI, the relationship between the transversal and longitudinal measures, the legs and thorax conformation, the thorax width, showed a mesomorphic type (Catalano, 1984), with features typical of trotter equines (Meregalli, 1980). In females the maximum thorax development finished over 6 years old. This suggested a late somatic develop of thorax, that is very important for the horse dynamic utilization. In account of this it’s important a gradual use of the pony, that can be more exploited over 6 years old.
The ischium region (ischium width) ended the development between 5 and 6 years old, when many females foaled. In account of this, the mares showed a larger croup.
The results of table 5 and 6 reconfirmed that the majority of the zoognostic regions of Monterufoli pony ended their development in 3-4 years old equines, and that this pony showed a mesomorphic conformation.
The modern Monterufoli Pony was less dolicomorphic than the “old type”. The comparison of these biometrics showed that the pony of 1947 was a meso-dolicomorphic type, suitable in speed and in endurance; in this period the Monterufoli pony was an important means of transporting (Tocci et al., 2007).
CONCLUSION
The new biometrics partially meet the “standard breed” (http://www.aia.it/, 2015). The “modern Monterufoli” pony is lower (lower height at withers) than the equine of 1947 and has larger thorax circumference. The “Monterufolino” studied by Braccini was more dolicomorphic, with higher CI than the modern pony.
The selection involves larger reproducers than those “re-introduced ponies” of 80’s which relate the actual “standard breed” (http://www.aia.it/, 2015). The higher at withers and at croup heights showed a pony with morphology and biometrics more similar to the Monterufoli pony of 1947 when this equine was more common and valued. In the future, this trend can increase the interest of many horse breeders, which can exploit this pony for adult peoples and not only for children or inexperienced peoples.
The body structure of modern Monterufoli ponies can suggest other uses: in particular the corporal proportion and the development of thorax suggest a driving use. In the past the driving was the main aptitude of Monterufoli pony.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Authors want to thank private horse breeders: Alessandro Benedettini, Paolo Falchi, Sergio and Paolo Girotti, and Statal horse breeding of “Corpo Forestale dello Stato” of Siena and “Comunità Montana dell’Alta Val di Cecina”.
REFERENCES
Aia (2015). Norme Tecniche, Del Registro Anagrafico Delle Razze Equine, Ed Asinine A Limitata Diffusione, Available at: <http://www.aia.it/CMSContent/NORME%20TECNICHE%20RA_nuovo.pdf>, Date accessed: 10 Dec. 2015.
Arzilli, L. (2006). Cavallino di Monterufoli. In ‘Risorse genetiche animali autoctone della Toscana’. ARSIA: Firenze, Italy. 191 p.
Braccini, A. (1947). Cavallino di Monterufoli. In ‘L’Agricoltura italiana’, XLVIII, 1-8.
Catalano, A.L. (1984). Valutazione morfo-funzionale del cavallo Igiene ed Etnologia. Goliardica Editrice: Noceto, Parma, Italy. 143 p.
Gandini, G., and Rognoni, G. (1997). Atlante etnografico delle popolazioni equine ed asinine italiane. CittàStudiEdizioni: Milano, Italy. 142 p.
Gennero, M., and Calcagni, R. (1985). Cavalli - Tutte le razze italiane a colori. Ed. Equestri s.r.l., Milano, Italy, 109 p.
Meregalli, A. (1980). Conoscenza morfofunzionale degli animali domestici. Liviana Ed., Padova: Italy, 300 p.
Meregalli, A., and Giorgetti, A. (1996). Fondamenti di anatomia, fisiologia e zoognostica. Liviana Ed.: Padova, Italy. 286 p.
SAS Users Guide: Statistics released version 8.0. Statistical Analysis System Institute. Inc., ., 2013. World Headquarters, Cary, NC.
Tocci, R., (2006). Importanza della tutela della diversità animale. Caratterizzazione di due razze toscane a rischio estinzione: il Cavallo di Monterufoli e l’Asino dell’Amiata. Degree Thesis, Florence University, Italy.
Tocci, R., Sargentini, C., Lorenzini, G., Degl’Innocenti, P., Bozzi, R., Giorgetti, A. (2007). Morphological characteristics of“Monterufoli horse”. In ‘Proceedings of Ital. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 6 (suppl. 1)’.pp.657- 659. (Alghero, Italy).
Tocci, R., Sargentini, C., Martini, A., Giorgetti, A. (2015). Qualitative Hoof Characteristics in Anglo-Arabian Horses and Monterufoli Ponies Reared in the Same Farm. Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research, 3(1), 20-29
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2018 Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.