The value of the granula iridica (corpora nigra) for identification of horses

The identification of horses is very important for trade and sport activiti es, but the currently used identification methods offer no absolute certain ty. The use of the granula iridica for identifying horses may be an interes ting alternative method. In this study, the presence and distribution patte rn of the granula iridica have been evaluated in 200 warmblood horses. In a ddition, a follow-up experiment was conducted in order to study the changes in size and pattern of the granula iridica in relation to the age of the a nimal. The results show that the granula iridica are useful as a supplement ary element for identification, However, this method of identification is n ot absolute as the visibility and the structure of the granula iridica migh t be changed by pathological conditions.