Evaluation of Some Phenotypical Characteristics of Indigenous Horses in Nigeria at Dass, Azare and Bauchi Local Government Areas of Bauchi State

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the management, types of coat colors and body measurements of horses in Dass, Azare and Bauchi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State between February and April 2013. A total of 100 questionnaires were randomly distributed to horse owners in the study areas. This was done to determine the type of horse, age, management, ownership, the purpose for keeping. Bodymeasurements including height at withers (HW), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC) and Body weight (BW) were assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that majority of the respondents were adult males and kept horses for the ceremonial purpose (57%). Out of the 248 horses evaluated only 11 (4.4%) were mares. Among the seven different colour phenotypes identified, Piebald (Bikili) and Black (Akawali) were the most frequent with 22.58 and 20. 56%, respectively. Although no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed, Black horses were found to be the tallest and heaviest with 142 ± 1.16cm, HW and 411.4 ± 26.57 kg BW respectively. This height was below the required standard height of horses, meaning that in FEI competitions horses in the study areas would be considered as ponies. However, more studies to characterize indigenous breeds of horses in Nigeria is necessary.