The live weight adaptive dynamics of the mares in the conditions of Khakassia Republic

The article presents the research results on the live weight adaptive dynamics of the mares of the aboriginal Khakass group, Orlov trotter, Russian trotter and the Russian carthorse breeds. The main challenge in the process of the horse herd year-round breeding is connected with unfavorable for animal organisms and the long- est winter horse grazing period. The quality of the herd horses wintering depends on the ability to keep the fatness (conditional stability) during this difficult period. The assessment of herd horses kept in winter grazing that is applied nowadays, by means of external examination, does not reveal the beginning of an abrupt loss in live weight, and as a result the animals become exhausted, which causes the increase in the number of abortions in mares and the loss of both young and adult livestock. The research was conducted in order to study the live weight adaptive dynamics of mares in terms of year-round grazing for timely identification of the critical changes beginning. The degree of horse adaptation to the seasonal rhythms in the conditions of year-round grazing of animals is reflected in their annual dynamics of live weight. This indicator is one of the criteria of adaptation to the conditions of breeding. The live weight comparative seasonal dynamics of mares of different genotypes was studied in the seasons of the year according to the formula of A.A. Motorin [1]. During the year, mares of different genotypes differently responded to rapidly changing feeding, temperature, physiological and other factors. The mares of Khakass group were more enduring. They responded less to the existing level of feeding and maintenance, sudden changes in temperature if compared to animals of other genotypes. It is indicated by the change in live weight during the periods of autumn - winter (1.0 to 1.9, against 2.5-3.8 %), autumn - spring 09-17.4 vs 17.0-20.9) and autumn - summer (10.4-11.3 versus 10.8 to 13.0 %), which proves good adaptation of the Khakass group mares to the environmental factors.