Horse
Breed Description:
The Indian Half Bred breed of horse is a popular and highly regarded breed in its native land of India. The breed features a narrow chest that lacks power but provides great speed and agility. Overall, the Indian Half Bred breed of horse shows undesirable conformation, as breeding programs in the areas where it is utilized are typically underfunded and lacking in equestrian knowledge. Specimens may vary wildly from area to area and type to type, and are affected greatly by weather and other environmental conditions, as water and nutrients are often scarce. This often results in degeneration of the breeding stock over a comparatively short period of time. The hindquarters are short and compact, with straight and slender front legs. The back and withers are well-formed and in direct proportion to each other, with rounded shoulders that slope slightly downward. Coloring varies greatly with no specific standard, although most Indian Half Bred horses are bay, chestnut, or gray, with different variations of mottling.
Temperament:
The Indian Half Bred breed of horse is a very willing and able worker. Often living in close proximity with humans, the breed has developed a docile and eager nature, making it suitable to be worked by both children and adults alike. The breed is not especially regarded as a superior riding horse, although it possesses great stamina and endurance, and makes an excellent riding horse for those not concerned with refined movement or well-established gaits.
Height:
15 hh to 15.5 hh
Health Problems:
The Indian Half Bred suffers from a number of ailments, although it is unclear whether these are caused by genetic deficiencies or environmental concerns. Specimens that are raised and tended by local populaces tend to fare worse than those that are managed by Indian military and police forces. The breed is not typically found outside of India, so health standards and history has not been established in other parts of the world.
Origin:
The Indian Half Bred was developed by the Indian Army after World War I to be utilized for a number of purposes- especially as cavalry mounts. The breed performs remarkably well at this task, and is considered one the best horse breeds in the world for cavalry, despite its many shortcomings. This is due largely in part to the intensive training program created by the Indian Army, and partly due to the breed’s striking and strong desire to please. Today the breed is used extensively by the Indian military and police, both as mounted companies and as transport animals. 