Geometric morphometry as a new method of differentiation of intrabreed types in horse breeding

Abstract

Assessment of type severity and exterior correctness is a necessary breeding measure in breeding work with breeds. Traditionally assessed features demonstrate subjectivism. The assessment of the type severity and the exterior correctness was initially based on the opinion of experts on whether the animal corresponds to a certain type of breed or not. The new method of geometric morphometry, based on comparing objects by their shape without considering differences in size, is of undoubted interest for research aimed at studying the physique features of horses of various intrabreed and breeder types. The key task of the geometric morphometry method is to evaluate the distinctive features of objects in shape, excluding the influence of their differences in size. It is based on the concept of a multidimensional space of forms. The article presents the results of testing the application of the geometric morphometry method for the differentiation of intrabreed horse types of purebred Arabian and performance horse breeds. It is revealed that geometric morphometry within the framework of a theoretical approach can be used as an additional tool to traditional methods of assessing the phenotypic characteristics of horses of various intrabreed types.