Sex and slaughter weight on carcass traits and non-carcass components of horses/Sexo e peso de abate sobre as caracteristicas de carcaca e componentes nao-carcaca de cavalos

The study evaluated the effect of sex and slaughter weight on carcass traits and non-carcass components of 1,489 horses (739 geldings and 750 females, classified into eight groups according to their weight). Data were analyzed under a completely randomized design. Geldings had a higher (P < 0.05) hot carcass yield (HCY) and cold carcass yield (CCY) than females; however, fat yellowness values (b*) were greater (P < 0.05) in females. Slaughter weight (SW) affected the carcass characteristics. Hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), HCY, and CCY increased (P < 0.05) in accordance with slaughter weight, while cool loss percentage (CL%) was lower (P < 0.05) in horses weighing more than 300 kg. In addition, the non-carcass components decreased (P < 0.05) as the weight of the horses increased. In conclusion, sex and body weight are factors to consider in the production of equine meat since they affect carcass characteristics and non-carcass components. Key words: Horsemeat, carcass weight, carcass yield, meat color, non-carcass components. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do sexo e do peso ao abate sobre as caracteristicas de carcaca e componentes nao-carcaca de 1.489 cavalos (739 machos castrados e 750 femeas, classificados em oito grupos de acordo com o peso). Os dados foram analisados em um desenho inteiramente casualizado. Os semeadores apresentaram maior rendimento de carcaca quente (HCY) e fria (CCY) do que as femeas, porem o amarelecimento da gordura (b*)foi maior nas femeas. O peso ao abate (SW) afetou as caracteristicas de carcaca. HCW, CCW, HCY e CCY aumentaram de acordo com o peso de abate, enquanto CL% foi menor em equinos com peso superior a 300 kg. Alem disso, os componentes nao-carcaca diminuiram com o aumento do peso dos cavalos. Em conclusao, sexo e peso corporal sao fatores a serem considerados na producao de carne equina, uma vez que afetam as caracteristicas da carcaca e seus componentes. Palavras-chave: Came de cavalo, sexo, peso corporal, caracteristicas de carcaca.