17 Kacem Nacera Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20242024/12/22 34 6 1388-1395 1018-7081 https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2024.6.0818 <p>The preservation of genetic diversity in Algerian horse breeds is essential for their effective conservation and utilization. However, a current lack of knowledge about their diversity and genetics presents a significant challenge. This study aims to characterize the morphological features of three principal horse breeds in Algeria: Barb, Arabian-Barb, and Purebred Arab. We measured 26 morphological traits, calculated live weight and eight body indices, and evaluated three qualitative parameters: coat color, muzzle shape, and cephalic profile. Average values for these measurements were computed for each breed. We assessed the significance of these averages using multi-factor ANOVA and compared them using the Newman-Keuls homogeneity test with SAS software. The results reveal distinct morphological characteristics for each breed. The Barb breed has a distance between the internal angles of the eyes of 17.27 cm, a neck length of 63.46 cm, a leg length of 38 cm, an average withers height of 154.2 cm, a live weight of 429 kg, a thoracic perimeter of 175.85 cm, and a compactness index of 2.80. The Purebred Arab displays a distance between the internal angles of the eyes of 18.5 cm, a neck length of 59.5 cm, a leg length of 40.01 cm, an average withers height of 150.3 cm, a live weight of 377.64 kg, a thoracic perimeter of 162.8 cm, and a compactness index of 2.44. The Arabian-Barb breed, a result of crossbreeding, is highly heterogeneous and combines desirable traits from both parent breeds. A significant influence of sex was noted on the height at the withers (p&lt;0.05), with males generally taller than females, who present wider chests and larger lower leg circumferences.</p> horses; index; live weight; morphometric traits. Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2023-JAPS-1132