The present work aimed to evaluate foals growth of the Mangalarga Marchador breed, by linear measures. Ninety-eight foals, 55 males and 43 females were measured at birth and at each 30 days up to 12 months age. Results of body measures were submitted to analysis of variance and statistical model includes effects of sex, local, nutritional management, herd, month and year of birth. Conformation characteristics studied were not influenced by the effects of sex, herd, nutritional management, month and year of birth. In relation to height in the withers and in the hip measures, it was observed small variation, from 61.6 and 63.3% of mature age, at birth, from 88 to 89% of mature age, at 12th month of age, for males and from 63.2 and 64.1% of mature age, at birth, from 90.0 to 91.1% of mature age, at 12th month of age, for females. Values of body length of foals were of 68.1, 112.6 and 127.1 cm for males and 68.0, 111.6 and 128.3 cm, for females, at birth, 6th month and 12th month of age, respectively. In relation to mature age, the observed values of body length were 43.3, 71.6 and 86.6%, for males and 45.5, 74.7 and 85.8%, for females, at birth, 6th month and 12th month of age, respectively.
foals; growth; measurement
