Analysis of conformation traits of the Slovenian cold-blooded horse

Slovenian Cold-Blooded horse is an autochthonous horse breed in Slovenia, traditionally reared in the North-Eastern and Northern parts of Slovenia. Today the breed is widespread all over the country. Breeding program for the Slovenian Cold-Blooded horse was accepted 2005 when the Association of Slovenian Cold-Blooded Horse Breeders was established, too. The aim of the study was to analyse conformation and gaits traits of the Slovenian Cold-Blooded horse. Likewise, we tried to evaluate fixed effect, affecting the included traits. Data were collected during the classifications of Slovenian Cold-Blooded horse performed from 1996 to 2011. In this study, 1920 horses were included, 52 of which were stallions and 1868 mares. The scoring system included 8 measured and 10 scored traits. Data were analysed by GLM procedure of statistical package SAS/STAT considering sex, age at scoring and birth year as fixed effects. Stallions of Slovenian Cold-Blooded horses were on the average 152.4±0.56 cm high at withers (stick), while mares were 151.22±0.11 cm. Body length (stallions 163.95±1.48 cm; mares 164.28±0.17 cm) was on the average larger than the height at wither thus indicating the rectangular body frame.