Impact of season, age and gender on some clinical, haematological and serum parameters in Shetland ponies in east province, Saudi Arabia

Heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse and rectal temperature were increased in summer in comparison to winter. Values of heart rate proved significant at P < 0.05. The results of blood haematology and biochemistry of the ponies revealed that there was no significant variation between summer and winter in most of the haematological and biochemical parameters, while there was a slight significant difference in leucocyte counts, monocytes, MCH, MPVK+, platelets and AST activity. There were significant differences in serum cortisol concentration regarding season and age but not regarding gender.