Sledování růstu teplokrevných hříbat

This diploma thesis focuses on monitoring the growth of warmblood foals. The aim was to evaluate growth allometry, hippometric indexes and correlation dependence between individual body measurements; furthermore, to statistically assess the growth of foals in relation to certain factors (sexual dimorphism, breeder, year of birth, birth order, sire) and to compare the values obtained with growth standards and growth ranges for warmblood horses. Three breeding farms from the South Moravian region were included in the study. The measuring of the foals was carried out between 2013 and 2016, from birth to three years of age, once per month using measuring devices (a measuring stick and tape). The measurements taken were: stick height at withers, tape height at withers, chest circumference, body length and cannon bone circumference. The results indicated that colts are much more susceptible than fillies to the negative effects of external factors and have more difficulty withstanding them. However, the growth rate of colts was higher for all the dimensions assessed. Throughout the monitoring period, fillies exhibited a higher trunk size index, which is a result of the anticipated development of the foetus in adulthood. Due to the demonstrably heavier frame of colts, the cannon bone load index was found to be higher in fillies. The highest growth capability was achieved at the Velké Němčice breeding farm, where foals appear to be provided with the optimal conditions for growth and development. Furthermore, it was established that foals born as the 4th or 5th foal exhibit the highest growth rate. This result can be attributed to the fact that mares (dams) have reached physical maturity and are capable of meeting the needs of foals. Conversely, the weakest growth was achieved with foals born as the 1st, 3rd or 6th foal. After assessing the values obtained against the growth standards, we decided to retain the existing ones with an emphasis on breeders regularly monitoring the growth and development of foals