List of horse Breeds in India, Complete List of horse Breeds in India, Best horse Breeds in India, Different Breeds of Horse in India, Breeds of Horse in India, Bhutia Horse, Kathiawari Horse, Manipuri Horse, Marwari Horse, Spiti Horse, Zanskari Horse, Kachchhi-Sindhi Horse
Table of Contents
List of Horse Breeds in India
Registered Breeds Of Horse
| S.NO. | Breed | Home Tract | Accession Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bhutia | Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh | INDIA_HORSE_2223_BHUTIA_07005 |
| 2. | Kathiawari | Gujarat | INDIA_HORSE_0400_KATHIAWARI_07002 |
| 3. | Manipuri | Manipur | INDIA_HORSE_1200_MANIPURI_07003 |
| 4. | Marwari | Rajasthan | INDIA_HORSE_1700_MARWARI_07001 |
| 5. | Spiti | Himachal Pradesh | INDIA_HORSE_0600_SPITI_07004 |
| 6. | Zanskari | Jammu and Kashmir | INDIA_HORSE_0700_ZANSKARI_07006 |
| 7. | Kachchhi-Sindhi | Gujarat and Rajasthan | INDIA_HORSE_0417_KACHCHHISINDHI_07007 |
Different Breeds of Horse in India
The country of India is home to some of the most excellent breeds of horses. Horses have been an integral part of our heritage for centuries, and are an important part of the economy in rural India, performing many essential roles such as agricultural labour, transportation and riding. Apart from this, horses also make an important contribution to the culture of India.
Marwari
The Marwari breed, which is distinctly Indian, has its roots in the Marwar (or Jodhpur) region of Rajasthan. Initially bred as a war horse in the 12th century, the Marwari is descended from Arabian horses and local ponies.
These horses are extremely beautiful, characterized by their raised ears, straight face and Roman shaped nose. They have a deep chest, high tail, long back and pronounced croup which gives them an elegant appearance. Overall, the Marwari horse is an impressive breed that will definitely grab anyone’s attention.
Due to their loyalty and strength, they have been the top choice of the Indian Army serving Jodhpur and Jaipur for centuries. Marwaris are also celebrated for their grace and beauty, making them popular for ceremonial parades and other celebrations in India.
The Marwari breed is one of the most popular horses in the world recognized for its stamina and high stamina. With the right training, these horses can perform many tasks and withstand hot environments with limited food and water.
Brief information
| Other Name | Malani, Marwadi |
| Common Uses | Parade, ceremony, riding, drawing carriages, polo, dressage, jumping activities, safari, transportation |
| Behavior | Loyal, noble, brave willing, friendly, adaptable, affectionate |
| Speed | 40Km/h |
| Height | 14 to 16 hands |
| Weight | 340 to 450 kg |
| Life Span | 25 to 30 years |
Kathiawadi
Kathiawari horses come from the Kathiawar Peninsula of India and are quite rugged. They somewhat resemble the Marwari and Arabian horses, however, they are sturdier than the smooth Marwari horse.
Kathiawadi horses are famous for their hardiness and stamina. They were first bred by saddle people to serve as desert warhorses, making them a favorite choice among cavalry riders in the past, and are still often used for activities such as horse riding and sporting events. goes.
Their strength, agility and stamina make them an ideal choice for long journeys over difficult terrain. The Kathiawadi breed is loved by horse lovers because of its unique characteristics. These horses are also used by police departments in India due to their exceptional athletic ability.
Similar to Marwari horses, Kathiawaris are also able to survive on very little food and water, making them ideal for the hot Indian desert.
Brief information
| Other Name | Kathiawadi, Kathi, Kutchi, Cutchi |
| Common Uses | Farming, riding, tent pegging, also used by the Indian Army and mounted police units |
| Behavior | Brave, active, intelligent, affectionate, faithful |
| Height | 14.5 hands |
| Weight | 275 kg to 325 kg |
| Life Span | 25 to 30 years |
Kachchi-Sindhi
The Kutchi-Sindhi, known as the desert horse in India, is the most recently recognized breed, registered by ICAR on 4 August 2018.
These are completely different from the horses of Marwari and Kathiawadi breed in appearance and stamina. Its physical structure is such that it can survive even in the summer desert heat and can tolerate extreme drought. It has armor in its nose, which increases its stamina.
Kutchi-Sindhi horses are in demand because of their special gait style, commonly known as the “Rewal gait”, which makes it extremely comfortable for long distance riding. Key characteristics of these horses include Roman shaped nose, slightly curved ears that do not touch each other, short back, short pasterns, wide hooves for better traction and docile temperament.
Brief information
| Other Name | Kutchi-Sindhi, Sindhi |
| Common Uses | Long-distance riding, transportation, safari |
| Behavior | docile, adaptable |
| Speed | 43Km/h |
| Height | 14 to 15 hands |
| Life Span | 30 years |
Manipuri
The Manipuri is a small breed of horse or pony native to Assam and Manipur in north-eastern India. It has been a part of both the history and mythology of Manipur. The rare horse breed is famous for its use in polo and military disciplines. Notable traits of these horses include a strong body, remarkable stamina, and adaptability.
Manipuri ponies have remarkable intelligence, impressive stamina and agility. They have sloping shoulders, well-built hooves, strong legs and a stooped croup. They are smaller and lighter in weight than other horse breeds.
Brief information
| Other Name | Manipur Pony, Meitei Sagol, Meitei horse, Meitei Pony |
| Common Uses | Polo, racing, riding, military transport |
| Behavior | Tough, versatile, high endurance |
| Weight | 180 to 205 kg |
| Height | 11 to 13 hands |
| Life Span | 28-34 years |
Spiti
Originating from Himachal Pradesh in northern India, the Spiti horse is a small-sized horse breed. They were bred near the Spiti River and hence they got this name after the river.
Spiti horses are incredibly smart, alert and calm. They have exceptional strength, making them an excellent choice for heavy duty work. They are incredibly resistant to cold weather, strong in health and rarely suffer from diseases.
These horses are mostly used as pack animals due to their impressive ability to bear heavy loads while traveling long distances with ease.
Brief information
| Other Name | Chhumurti, Chamurthi |
| Common Uses | Pack animals, riding |
| Behavior | Intelligent, quiet, alert, willing, sometimes nervous |
| Weight | 160 to 180 kg |
| Height | 9 to 12 hands |
| Life Span | 22 to 25 years |
Zanskari
Zanskari ponies are found in the Ladakh and Leh regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India, and are a type of small mountain horse known for their strength and stamina at high altitudes.
The Zanskri pony shares many similar characteristics to the Spiti pony and Tibetan horse breeds. These hardy horses can withstand the extreme conditions of the mountains, such as freezing temperatures and altitudes of 3000–5000 meters above sea level.
Brief information
| Other Name | Jhanskar, Zaskari, Zanaskari, Zanskari |
| Common Uses | Pleasure riding, carrying heavy loads |
| Behavior | Intelligent, obedient, willing to work |
| Weight | 320 to 450 kg |
| Height | 11.8 to 13.8 hands |
| Life Span | 28 to 30 years |
Bhutia
The Bhutia horse, native to the Himalayan regions of India, Bhutan and Nepal, is a breed of small and sturdy horses that are similar in appearance to the Mongolian and Tibetan horse breeds. This breed is suitable for harsh terrain and cold mountain areas.
Since the Bhutia breed has a strong and hardy nature, these horses are commonly used for small agricultural purposes or as pack animals.
Brief information
| Other Name | Bhutan Pony, Bhotia Pony, Bhutani, Bhote Ghoda |
| Common Uses | equestrian riding, light agricultural work, load carrying, transportation |
| Behavior | Strong nature, quiet, willing to work |
| Weight | 260 to 345 kg |
| Height | 12.4 to 14.4 hands |
| Life Span | 30 years |
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