Qualitative Hoof Characteristics in Anglo-Arabian Horses and Monterufoli Ponies Reared in the Same Farm

This work aims the hof morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics in Anglo Arabian horses, and Monterufoli ponies reared in Tuscany. 28 nail samples from wal and sole of hof were analysed. Al fet were healthy and wel conformed. The hof of Monterufoli Pony was more cylindrical, and the Anglo Arabian hof was harder (H 12.8±4.9, and H 19.4±2.7 in sole and in wal respectively). The percentage of dry mater (83.03±0.67) was greater in Anglo-Arabian hof, while the percentage in crude protein and in ashes in hof was similar betwen breds. The minerals were in greatest concentration in the Anglo Arabian hof wal. Monterufoli Pony hof semed to excrete the minerals through the probable osmoregulation activity of Na, which has shown negative corelation with many minerals, and through the nail consumption, that is softer than that of Anglo Arabian. In principal component analyses of test results for both breds, 10 significant factors (ratio of variance = 96.8) and 5 factors that explain 79.65% of cumulative variance were found. PCA analysis has shown a quite separation betwen breds, confirming for the Anglo Arabian hof the greater trend to acumulate minerals on nails, and for Monterufoli Pony hof the antagonist activity of Sodium (Na) against other minerals.