Energy expenditure (EE) can be estimated based on respiratory gas exchange measurements, traditionally done in respiration chambers by indirect calorimetry (IC). However, the 13C-bicarbonate technique (13C-BT) might be an alternative minimal invasive method for estimation of CO2 production and EE in the field. In this study, four Shetland ponies were used to explore the effect of feeding on CO2 production and EE measured simultaneously by IC and 13C-BT. The ponies were individually housed in respiration chambers and received either a single oral or intravenous (IV) bolus dose of 13C-labelled sodium bicarbonate (NaH13CO3). The ponies were fed haylage 3 h before (T−3), simultaneously with (T0) or 3 h after (T+3) administration of 13C-bicarbonate. The CO2 produced and O2 consumed by the ponies were measured for 6 h with both administration routes of 13C-bicarbonate at the three different feeding times. Feeding time affected the CO2 production (P<0.001) and O2 consumption (P<0.001), but not the respiratory quotient (RQ) measured by IC. The recovery factor (RF) of 13C in breath CO2 was affected by feeding time (P<0.01) and three different RF were used in the calculation of CO2 production measured by 13C-BT. An average RQ was used for the calculations of EE. There was no difference between IC and 13C-BT for estimation of CO2 production. An effect of feeding time (P<0.001) on the estimated EE was found, with higher EE when feed was offered (T0 and T+3) compared with when no feed was available (T−3) during measurements. In conclusion, this study showed that feeding time affects the RF and measurements of CO2 production and EE. This should be considered when the 13C-BT is used in the field. IV administration of 13C-bicarbonate is recommended in future studies with horses to avoid complex 13C enrichment-time curves with maxima and shoulders as observed in several experiments with oral administration of 13C-bicarbonate.

Populations of the six equine breeds registered by the Indian National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources have drastically decreased due to indiscriminate breeding and their low utilization. In this study, 15 biometric indices along with typical breed characteristics were recorded for 50 animals of each breed except Bhutia breed (35) for their phenotypic characterization. On the basis of their heights at wither, Kathiawari and Marwari breeds were grouped under “horse”, while Zanskari, Manipuri, Bhutia and Spiti fell under “pony” breeds. Marwari was the tallest and significantly different from other breeds in most of the biometric indices. Spiti was the shortest breed among all the six horse and pony breeds. Sex-wise differences were also observed in some of the biometric indices in different breeds. In Marwari and Kathiawari breeds, both stallions and mares can rotate their ears at an angle of 180° making the ear tips meet in the centre, which is a typical characteristic of the two breeds. This report aims at providing reference data for identification and comparison of different breeds of equines in India with a view to raise awareness among animal geneticists and breeders for production of true to breed animals, conservation and better management of these precious genetic resources.

The breeding tract of Spiti horses is located in the Kaja subdivision of the Lahul and Spiti district and the Yanthang area of the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh in India. The horses in this area are smaller in height and called Spiti ponies. They are reared as pack animals at high altitude. Their body is well developed with fairly strong bones. The mane is long and has hairs of 25 to 40 cm in length. The body is solid, displaying and alert attitude, the face is convex, the ears are erect and the eyes are black. The tail is medium in length and straight. The horses are docile in temperament. The body colours are grey, brown, black and piebald. On an average, these horses stand 129 cm height, have a body length of 100 cm, a heart girth of 148 cm, an ear length of 15 cm and a face length of 50 cm. Animals are reared on grazing (alpine pasture) from May to November and stall fed from December to April. The breeding season is from February to July. The average age at first fertile service, age at first foaling, gestation period, service period and foaling interval were estimated as 1 054, 1 297, 333, 63 and 516 days, respectively under intensive management at Kamand farm. It has also been ascertained from various sources that their number is declining rapidly, however breed population statistics are not available. There is, therefore, an urgent need to conserve this breed.

Horses were status symbols in central-west Africa in the last millennium. Here, the importance of some very early horse bones is discussed in the context of emerging African society.

The present paper includes an historical briefing, a morphological description of blood polymorphism, and current use of the Chilote pony horse breed. Its characteristics differentiate it from other horse breeds present in Chile.

Historical records, phenotypic and genetic characteristics show that the ancestors of this breed were brought to Chiloé by the Spanish conquerors.

The actual population of the Chilote pony in Chiloé islands, as estimated by the present study, is not more than 300 horses. In order to maintain this genetic material it appears relevant to start with a conservation project for this horse in Chile.