India is one of the largest countries in the world and is home to the magnificent Taj Mahal, as well as some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Although it is not very well known all over the world, India also has some unique and amazing horse breeds.

There are nine common breeds of Indian horses: Marwari, Kathiawari, Spiti, Bhutia, Manipuri, Zanskari, Pimtadi, Shumarti and Sikang. These nine breeds of horses have full or partial origins in India.

Horses play an important role in the economy of rural India. They have many important roles including agricultural work, transportation and horse riding. In addition, horses also play an important role in the culture of India. Read more about each wonderful breed below.

Here are nine indigenous Indian horse breeds.

1. مرواری

Marwari is the most distinguished and distinguished equine breed in India. This breed originated from the Marwar (or Jodhpur) region of Rajasthan, where it was first bred in the 12th century as a fierce cavalry horse, descended from Arabian horses and local ponies.

Thanks to their loyalty, the Marwari were the best choice of the Indian Army in Jodhpur and Jaipur. These unique horses are also famous for parades and celebrations in India. They are strong sport horses that have excellent endurance and are able to withstand hot desert environments.

For decades, the Indian government banned the export of this particular breed. However, from 2000-2006, India lifted the ban and allowed the export of a small number of horses.

In 2008, India began allowing Marwari horses to be “temporary exports” for up to a year for display in other countries.

What distinguishes Marwari horses is their unique ears. Their ears are bent at the top, causing the tips of their ears to touch.

Marwari horses have a high neck, athletic build, and a slick head. They average 14 to 16 hands in height and are available in all colors, except piebald and Skewbald. Marwari horses have many uses including polo, dressage, endurance, hand-jumping and showjumping.

2. Kathiawari

The Kathiawari breed is closely related to the Marwari breed. Kathiawari horses originated from the Kathiawar Peninsula in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Thanks to its remarkable stamina, the Cathay people originally bred the Kathiawari horse as a war horse in the desert. Cathiawars would travel long distances across rugged terrain with minimal food. Like the Marwari, they trace their origins back to the Arabian horse.

Kathiawari horses also display distinctly curved ears that touch the tips. They have a crested neck, an athletic build, and a polished head. Kathiawari horses are between 14.2 and 15 hands long and come in all colors except black.

Because it is sporty, it is commonly used for horse riding, driving, police racking, and tent installation.

3. Spiti

Native to northern India, the Spiti horse is a small mountain pony named after the Spiti River. Although not much is known about its origins, it shares similarities with the Mongolian and Tibetan lineages and is closely related to the Zanskari dynasty.

Spiti ponies are mainly bred solely through traditional breeding methods around their area along the Spiti River. As a result of this, there are only about 4,000 Spiti ponies.

A group of local villages separate the mares from the stallions. Once a year, mares are bred to one stallion, with a different stallion used each year.

Spiti ponies have an average length of 9 to 12 hands and are usually bay, black, piebald or gray in color. They have a compact body with a deep chest and thick coat. These powerful ponies make reliable choices such as packed horses and general riding.

4 – Bhutia

The Bhutia is a small breed of horse from the Sikkim and Darjeeling regions of northern India. It is a strong breed, capable of handling harsh mountainous terrain and climates.

The Bhutia shares many similarities with the Tibetan and Mongolian breeds. Although their origins are unclear, it is likely that they came from local ponies and horses. Because of their tough nature, they are commonly used as horse packs and for light agricultural work.

Bhutia horses average 12.3 to 14.3 hands in length and are usually gray or bay coloured. They have short necks, large heads and deep chests.

5. Manipuri

The Manipuri is a rare breed of pony from Manipur in northeastern India. Experts believe they are descendants of the Mongolian and Arabian wild horses, along with other pony breeds.

Manipuri foals have been bred for centuries in northern India and were once popular choices for war horses. Manipuris was also the first breed to be used for polo.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the British sought out Manipurs as polo ponies. They were crossed with Arabian blood to help improve the Polo breed.

The Manipuri horse has a light head, a broad chest and a well-muscled body. They measure between 11-13 hands long and come in almost every color. They are still very popular today as polo ponies.

6. Zanskari

The Zanskari is a small mountain breed of pony that is native to Ladakh, in northern India. The breed gets its name from the Zanskar Valley.

Zansari ponies show many similarities with Spiti ponies and Tibetan horse breeds. This robust breed is able to withstand treacherous mountain conditions including freezing temperatures and altitudes from 3000-5000 meters above sea level. Their numbers were once in the thousands, however, today there are only a few hundred.

Zanskari ponies have a compact and sturdy build with deep breasts. They stand around 11.3-13.3 hand long and are mostly grey, although they can also be chestnut, chestnut, and back. The primary use of the Zanskari breed is as a pack horse, as they are robust in nature.

7. Bhmthdi

The Bhimthadi horse, or Deccani, is a rare Indian breed that is almost extinct. The breed was developed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by crossbreeding Arab and Turkish breeds with local ponies.

Bhimthadi horses were highly sought after by the rulers in India. They were a popular choice as a war horse and were used to fight the Mughal army. These little horses were highly regarded by the Maratha Army.

During British rule, their numbers declined sharply and today there are only about 100 horses left, despite efforts to save this breed.

Bhimthadi horses have a light but muscular build and are often bay, gray or brown. Its uses include beam work, general riding, and driving.

8. Shomarty

The Chumarti breed is native to the Himalayas, originated in the Chumarti Valley and is found mainly in Himachal Pradesh. It is a small mountain breed that is able to withstand difficult conditions.

The Chumarti pony is similar to the Spiti pony. It is a hardy breed, able to withstand freezing winters at high altitudes, combined with hot summer days. It is also a well built breed, making it a smooth horse to ride.

Chummarti ponies have a solid, compact build and a well-muscled body. They stand at 13 hands or less and come in different colors of coat. These trusty ponies make excellent horses.

9. Sikang

Sikang horses have been used as war horses for many years, including World War II. Although it is not necessarily an official breed, it has a long and rich history.

During World War II, the US Army drove 2,000 horses through Sikang County, however, not all horses were able to traverse the rugged terrain. Then the horses left behind formed semi-savage flocks.

Some of these semi-feral horses were taken back by locals, and bred with local Indian stock. This resulted in a stronger, taller horse and a good muscular body. Sikang horses vary in height and colour, but are notable for their willingness to please.