PHILA LOVER: January 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Horses of India

Marwari

It is a rare breed of horse from the Marwar in Rajasthan region of India. Today it is mainly used for riding, sports and light draft and agricultural work. Earlier Marwar rulers used it as a warhorse, reputed for its loyalty and bravery in battle.

It has a long body, a height of 152 – 160 Cms generally, a deep chest, slender legs with small well formed hoofs and a long facial profile. It s most distinctive feature is its natural pacing gait and pointed ears with inward turning tips. Hair whorls and their placement are important to breeders of Marwaris. The breed is today regaining some of its lost popularity due to the efforts of individuals and organizations like the Indigenous Horse Society of India.

Kathiawari

This breed is considered as the oldest of indigenous horse breeds. The Kathi tribesmen and Rajput rulers used it as a warhorse as it can speed across miles of open, dry land with little food or water. Generally this horse has a height of about 147 cm.

This horse has fine muzzle, large evenly placed eyes and well shaped arched neck. The ears are small and curved inward, almost touching at the tips, with a capacity to rotate 180 degrees backward. Black eel strip on the back and zebra markings on the front legs are the special features of these breeds. It is often used in the Police and Army stables in India and comes largely in dun and chestnut colour.

Zanskari

This horse is a Himalayan native, which is generally found in the Leh & Ladakh areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Mainly these horses are gray in colour, but black and copper coloured ones are also found. It can work in extremes of altitude and temperature. It has a height of 120 -140 cms with features like prominent eyes, long and heavy tails and uniform gait. The body hair is fine, long and glossy. The Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu & Kashmir has undertaken breed improvement & conservation through selective breedings.

Manipur

This is a breed developed in India. It is an ancient stock from Mongolian Wild Horse & the Arabian & was probably brought to India by Tartar tribes. It is used for racing and playing polo. It has become a part of social-economic life of the hilly regions facilitating travel and transport. They are generally stands 11 to 13 hands high. They have a light head with a straight profile, set on a well formed neck, somewhat pronounced withers, a deep chest, sloping shoulders, pointed ears & alert eyes. They are in various colours like bay, chestnut, gray, brown and white. In recent years, breed numbers have decreased, and it is believed that only around 2,300 Manipuri Ponies exist today. Manipuri Horse Riding & Polo Association are attempting to promote both the breed & the game.

First Day Cover

Miniature Sheet

India Post issued four set of Horses of India stamps on 09th November 2009, with a denomination of Rs.5.00 each Also issued a first day cover and a Miniature sheet, having a denomination of Rs.20.