van Heel M C V, Kroekenstoel A M, van Dierendonck M C, van Weeren P R, Back W
Derona Equine Performance Laboratory, Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Equine Vet J. 2006 Nov;38(7):646-51. doi: 10.2746/042516406x159070.
Conformational traits are important in breeding, since they may be indicative for performance ability and susceptibility to injuries.
To study whether certain desired conformational traits of foals are related to lateralised behaviour while foraging and to the development of uneven feet.
Twenty-four Warmblood foals, born and raised at the same location, were studied for a year. Foraging behaviour was observed by means of weekly 10 min scan-sampling for 8 h. A preference test (PT) was developed to serve as a standardised tool to determine laterality. The foals were evaluated at age 3, 15, 27 and 55 weeks. The PT and distal limb conformation were used to study the relation between overall body conformation, laterality and the development of uneven feet. Pressure measurements were used to determine the loading patterns under the feet.
About 50% of the foals developed a significant preference to protract the same limb systematically while grazing, which resulted in uneven feet and subsequently uneven loading patterns. Foals with relatively long limbs and small heads were predisposed to develop laterality and, consequently unevenness.
Conformational traits may stimulate the development of laterality and therefore indirectly cause uneven feet.
构象特征在育种中很重要，因为它们可能预示着性能能力和受伤易感性。
研究马驹某些理想的构象特征是否与觅食时的偏侧行为以及蹄部不对称发育有关。
对24匹在同一地点出生和饲养的温血马驹进行了为期一年的研究。通过每周8小时、每次10分钟的扫描取样观察觅食行为。开发了一种偏好测试（PT）作为确定偏侧性的标准化工具。在马驹3、15、27和55周龄时对其进行评估。使用PT和远端肢体构象来研究整体身体构象、偏侧性与蹄部不对称发育之间的关系。通过压力测量来确定蹄下的负重模式。
约50%的马驹在放牧时表现出明显偏好系统性地伸展同一条肢体，这导致蹄部不对称以及随后的负重模式不均。四肢相对较长且头部较小的马驹易出现偏侧性，进而导致不对称。
构象特征可能会促进偏侧性的发展，因此间接导致蹄部不对称。
