The Determination of Situation and Breed Characteristics of Turkish Rahvan Horse in Turkey

This study was conducted to determine body characteristics and speeds of Rahvan horses racing at Pace Horse Races in Turkey. A total of 1258 Rahvan horses racing at 20 pace races between 1 999 and 2000 years in Turkey were inspected. The speeds of 125 winner horses and body measurements of 120 Rahvan horses were determined. The speeds of winner horses racing at different native categories were calculated as 21.66-34.20 km h(-1) for Tozkoparan, 25.11-37.04 km h(-1) for Deste, 28.97-39.07 km h(-1) for Kucuk orta, 30.20-36.63 km h(-1) for Buyuk orta, 27.05-43.06 km h(-1) for Bas alti, 32.26-40.52 km h(-1) for Has, respectively. The averages of head length, neck length, height at withers, body length, height at rump, heart girth circumference, chest depth, chest width and cannon bone circumference as body measurements were found as 56.49, 69.80, 139.21, 141.60, 138.28, 155.30, 58.38, 34.24 and 17.69 cm, respectively. There is no significantly difference for inspected body measurements among age or sex groups, except for cannon bone circumference. The averages of cannon bone circumference of 3 years old horses and mares were found as lower than the others (p<0.05). And the ratio of height at rump to height at withers in mares was higher than stallions (p<0.05). The Pacing speed of Turkish Rahvan Horses was found as lower than the other breeds that can pace in. the World. It was concluded that Turkish Rahvan Horses should be improved with respect to increase height at withers and to lengthen and to thin neck.