Like the other equine, the vertebral column of the Caspian miniature horse may show some variation regarding the number of vertebrae in different region of vertebral column.

Paryani, M.R. 1 , *, Gilanpour, H.2 , Sabouri, M.H.2, , Chavoshipour, K.2
1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch, Karaj-Iran.
2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran-Iran.

*Corresponding author’s email: mrparyani@kiau.ac.ir, Tel: 0261-4418143-6, Fax: 0261-4418156

J.Vet.Res. 62,5:301-302,2007 623

(Received 2 May 2005 , Accepted 19 December 2006)

Abstract:

Seven Caspian miniature horses, aged above two years, were used for this study. The skeleton of these horses were cleaned and prepared using appropriate techniques.

The vertebral column was studied and photographed. The vertebral column in one of these horses showed variations in  horacic, lumbar and sacral region.

The vertebral formola was C7, T19,L5,S6 and a pair of 19th rib was fused with the last thoracic vertebra. There are no reports regarding variation in vertebral column of the miniature horse. Like the other equine, the vertebral column of the Caspian miniature horse may show some variation regarding the number of vertebrae in different region of vertebral column.

Key words: anatomy, vertebrae, variation, horse, Caspian miniature horse.