---

In this series of blogs, we take a look at horse breeds from around the world. In this post, we head to India to learn about the Marwari.

——————————————————————————————————————–

The Marwari Horse

This breed comes from the Marwar region of India. It is said that the Marwari can be traced back to a period “when the ocean was churned to extract nectar for the Gods; a period when horses had wings”. These forward going, responsive and well-mannered horses are as magical to ride as the folklore that surrounds them.

Marwari Horses – a Firm Favourite

By the 12th Century, this breed had proven itself as particularly well suited to the desert and in battle. With amazing homing instincts, they regularly saved their riders’ lives when lost out in the sand dunes. Marwaris were a firm favourite in the country, and Mogul Emperor Akbar had over 50,000 in his cavalry.

Almost Lost

When going to battle on horseback became a thing of the past, the Marwari breed was almost lost too. However, a handful of people (including riding guide Kanwar Raghuvendra Singh – known as Bonnie) set up studs and breeding programmes specifically for maintaining this special native breed.

Breed Characteristics

The most obvious characteristic is their curved ears, which sometimes touch at the tips. Marwaris have exceptional hearing, which again made them desirable on the battlefield. Both horse and rider had the advantage of an early warning to any impending danger.

Surviving in the Desert

Marwari horses have very thin skin which allows them to withstand extreme thirst and heat. A compact body and long legs also help to prevent overheating, by keeping the main organs away from the hot sand. The average height of a modern Marwari is between 14hh and 15.2hh. They are hardy enough to survive on the limited food available in the Indian desert environment – what incredible horses!

To book your riding holiday please call one of the In The Saddle team on +44 (0) 1299 272 997 or email rides@inthesaddle.com.