Horse
Breed Description:
The Marwari breed of horse is a strikingly beautiful and exceptionally rare horse that has been bred in India for at least the last 900 years. The Marwari is most easily recognized by its unusual ears, which are pointed and turn inward to touch at the tips. From the profile position the facial structure is straight and handsome and narrows at the muzzle. The neck is thin and graceful and rises up from prominent withers. The back is long, well-muscled, and ends at a sloping croup. The chest is deep but not wide, and meets the shoulders cleanly, which are somewhat boxy in appearance. The legs are thin and therefore are in pleasant proportion to the neck, with good joints and hooves. The Marwari occurs in many colors such as bay, chestnut, and palomino, while other colors have spiritual or supernatural associations for the people of India. For example, black Marwari horses would be undesirable as they are thought to be unlucky, and white Marwari horses are usually reserved for religious purposes. Less common colorations that are acceptable include gray, piebald, or skewbald.
Temperament:
The Marwari breed of horse has an unpredictable and often fiery disposition. They are well-known for their bravery and unflagging responsiveness on the battlefield and in police and military applications, although their use in these fields has declined significantly. The Marwari matures late and therefore must be trained rigorously and unrelentingly in order to produce an obedient and loyal horse. The Marwari is accustomed to harsh living conditions and therefore makes for an easy keeper. The Marwari is highly intelligent, but somewhat stubborn. The breed can be trained for a great multitude of purposes, but training must be strict.
Height:
14 hh to 17 hh, with most Marwari horses being between 15 hh and 16 hh
Health Problems:
Few health problems are present in the Marwari horse. Bred to be hardy and able to withstand the harshest of desert environments, the Marwari rarely takes ill. Furthermore, the Marwari breed of horse can subsist on meager rations and very little water. Because the breed is exceptionally tenacious and possesses boundless stamina, some Marwari horses may literally work until they collapse from exhaustion or dehydration. The Marwari breed has had significant inconsistencies in breeding practices, and therefore some specimens may experience health issues that are common in the breeds used to develop the Marwari, such as the Arabian and native Indian ponies.
Origin:
The Marwari horse was developed initially on the Indian border with Afghanistan using native Indian ponies and Arabians. The Marwari was used extensively during the period from 1100-1300 as a military mount and cavalry horse, and helped lead various Indian territories to victory against a multitude of aggressors. Due to these battlefield victories, the Marwari was held in high esteem, and at one point was considered a godly being that could not be ridden by any but the most holy or powerful people. However, the Marwari was threatened with extinction when India came under control of Great Britain after WWI, even though the Marwari and Indian soldiers assisted the British during the war. The Brits sought to exterminate the breed and replace it with the Thoroughbred and other British favorites, and they nearly succeeded. Nevertheless, concerned Indian citizens revived the breed in the 1950’s, and this was furthered with assistance from the British during the 1990’s. Today there is a government sanctioned registry for the Marwari, and the breed is being exported to Europe, the United States, and other countries. 