The main aim of this study was to estimate phenotypic correlations among withers height, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference measured during the growth of Lipizzan horses from the Croatian state breeding studs. The data comprised of 912 horses born between 1930 and 2002 and measured during the growth (at foaling, with six months, with 12 months, with 24 months, with 36 months, and as adult horses). The estimates among different traits related to the same age ranged between 0.44 and 0.84. Phenotypic correlations among different growth periods ranged between 0.43 and 0.88, between 0.13 and 0.73, and between 0.17 and 0.854 for withers height, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference, respectively. In conclusion, the measurements taken during the growth of the Lipizzan horse can be used for prediction of the size of the adult horse.

phenotypic correlation; Lipizzan horse; morphological traits

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia