This work aims to evaluate the morphology of Mangalarga Marchador foals with Factorial Analysis from August, 2000 to June, 2003. Nineteen linear measures relating to height, length, width and girth and 11 angular measures were made at birth's week, in 55 colts and 41 fillies; at six months of age, in 35 colts and 37 fillies; and at twelve months of age, in 19 colts and 31 fillies. The factorial analysis was used to verify the existence of important relationships among morphometric measures. For linear measures, generally were observed six and seven factors and the communality obtained with this numbers of factors were high. However, for angular measures the number of factors was generally six. It was observed very important relationships among linear measures and it was possible to identify the factors as sustentation, height, efficiency, equilibrium, cargo, cephalic, robustness and girth among others, while for angular measures it was possible to identify factors associated with comfortableness, agility, efficiency, impulsion and force for gait.
angular measures; horse; linear measures; morphology
