Morphological Characteristics, Behavior, and Growth Performance of White Horses at the Mountainous Livestock Research and Development Center
White horses are a rare and valuable horse line that has been conserved at the Mountainous Livestock Research and Development Center. Through several generations, studies have been conducted to evaluate their morphological characteristics and behavioral traits in order to confirm the breed purity of white horses, serving as a basis for selection, pure breeding, and conservation of the population. Morphological traits and behavioral characteristics were assessed through direct observation, while growth performance was evaluated using body weight measurements. The results showed that white horses possess a well-balanced body conformation, pure white coat color, pink skin, cloudy white eyes with a copper-red iris, and bright red eye reflections under light at night. Natural body openings are pinkish-red, and the hooves are ivory white. These breed characteristics remained stable across generations, with a conformity rate of 93.33%. White horses use their upper lips to grasp feed and preferentially consume grasses, forage plants, and leaves, which are chewed and swallowed. White horses exhibited intermittent drinking behavior, taking 2 - 3 consecutive sips followed by a brief pause. Each drinking bout lasted 10–14 seconds, and a complete drinking event generally consisted of 3 - 4 bouts. At midday, horses continue feeding, drinking, and moving normally, although at a slower pace than at other times of the day. The White Horse is a small-sized breed with a relatively low body weight and stature. At birth, male White Horses weigh 22.2 kg and females weigh 21.0 kg. At 36 months of age, body weight reaches 187.8 kg in males and 174.3 kg in females. The average daily gain from birth to 36 months of age is 153.33 g/head/day in male White Horses and 141.94 g/head/day in females. White horses exhibit relatively stable genetic characteristics across generations. Their feeding, drinking, sleeping, and resting behaviors are characteristic of the breed. The breed is characterized by a small body size and relatively slow growth.
