Identification of reproduction performance of Thoroughbred and Gayo horses in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Abstract The objective of this research was to identify the reproductive performance of Gayo horses and Thoroughbred horses. This research was conducted in Bener Meriah District, Aceh Province through a survey method. In this case, the research location was chosen intentionally (purposive sampling). The total population of Gayo horses in Bener Meriah is currently 227 horses. Among them, 78 horses were taken as the research samples with minimum requirement that the horses involved have at least given birth 2 times. Furthermore, the required data in this study were the reproductive performance characteristics of Gayo horses and Thoroughbred horses including: (1) estrous cycle; (2) estrous duration; (3) first mating age; (4) gestation period; (5) foaling interval; and (6) postpartum mating age. Based on the results, the data obtained are that the average length of estrous cycle of Gayo horses is 20.75±1.67 days, while Thoroughbred horses is 29±1.59 days. Furthermore, the length of time in estrous for Gayo horses is 5.80±1.20 days, while Thoroughbred Horses is 7.30±1.70 days. In addition, the average first mating for Gayo horse is 3.78±1.19 years, while for Thoroughbred horses is 3.10 ± 0.65 years. Furthermore, the gestational period of Gayo horse has an average of 335.40±5.00 days, while for Thoroughbred horses is 336.66±3.41 days. The foaling interval of Gayo horse is 458.43±37.14 days, while Thoroughbred horse is 477±16.65 days. Last, the average postpartum mating of Gayo horse is 123.03± 37.73 days, while the Thoroughbred horse is 141.26±15.88. Furthermore, the data obtained identified that the reproductive performance of Gayo and thoroughbred horse in Bener Meriah Regency is in normal condition.