Rare Breed Feature - The Marwari
By mosquito
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23rd Jan 2010 •
10,607 views
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5 comments
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This month, our rare breed was once well known in some parts of the world, but is hardly ever seen in equestrian circles in North America, Australia or Europe. The Marwari is an ancient breed of horse found mainly in India, where it has been carefully bred for nearly a thousand years.
The Marwari has its origins in Marwar, or Jodhpur, in India. This is an area that for centuries has been famous for horsemanship – in fact, this is where jodhpurs come from! The Marwari were originally a cross between Arabian horses from the Middle East, and the native Indian ponies, whose own origins are Mongolian ponies. Legend has it that the Arabian ancestors of the Marwari were only a dozen or so Arabians that swam ashore from a shipwreck in the 11th century! Even if that is true, there is no doubt that there has been additional Arabian blood added to Marwari breeding over the centuries, in addition to the native ponies.
The Marwari does show many characteristics of its Arabian ancestors though, although these are pretty extreme today – the Marwari is famous for its inward pointing ears! Like Arabians, whose ears can point inwards at the tips, the Marwari’s ears can actually touch, or even overlap! That said, the Marwari is a breed in itself, taller than either of its ancestors (normally 15 to 16 hands), and with a distinct pacing gait. Marwari also come in all colors, although over the centuries pinto colors have been most popular and sought after, so they have been selectively bred, and black horses are considered unlucky!
For centuries Marwari were working horses. The combination of Arab and native breeding made them very hardy, so they were a popular choice for cavalry duty. They were also used for agriculture and transport. In the early years, during the 12th and 13th centuries, they were considered divine and only royals and the best warriors were allowed to ride them. From about 1500 onward, the Moghuls of India – great horsemen – added their own Turkoman (now the Akhal-teke breed) horses to Marwari breeding, adding more speed and height, and the slender appearance they have today.
The Marwari still have a mythical and spiritual association, and they are thought to be one of the bravest and most loyal warhorses. They even fought in World War I under Indian troops alongside the British. However, the British preferred their own thoroughbreds and Arabian crosses, and under British rule in India the Marwari nearly died out. There was no recognized breed society in India until 1995, but soon after the Marwari started to get more recognition thanks to just a few dedicated breeders. In 2000, the first Marwari horse was exported to the United States, and the first Marwari went to Europe in 2006. Only in 2009 a stud book and registration agency were established in India.
Maybe it’s also their Arabian ancestors, but Marwari have a reputation for being unpredictable and independently minded. However, their extraordinary beauty, intelligence, and athleticism make them valuable riding horses. They aren’t technically four-gaited horses, but they do have a natural amble, called revaal, similar to pacing. They are also trained to ‘dance’ for Indian festivals, performing movements closely related to haute école dressage. They have yet to make their mark in equestrian sports outside of India, but their natural desire to perform, their great endurance, and their athleticism surely means we will one day see them in dressage, endurance, and other competitions around the world.
If you want to own one, you may have to move to India, although the early imports to the United States are being bred in Massachusetts. The Indian government has imposed a ban on exporting indigenous horses until the breed is better established. Some Marwari supporters are trying to negotiate to lift this ban, and establish the Marwari around the world, but until then, it is certainly safe to say that the Marwari must be one of the rarest breeds around!
Want to know more? Visit:
www.horseindian.com, www.horsemarwari.com, and www.friendsofmarwari.org.uk
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Dreamer100
I wish they weren't so rare, because they are very pretty and unigue!
I wish they weren't so rare, because they are very pretty and unigue!
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Jan 24, 2010
• 6,354 views
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Undesired Humor
I LOVE MARWARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE MARWARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jan 24, 2010
• 6,366 views
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Esmeralda Elites
Great Article! I love reading about breed ancestry. My own arabian's ears touch :D
Great Article! I love reading about breed ancestry. My own arabian's ears touch :D
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Jan 24, 2010
• 6,372 views
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Cruisin Past Curfew
I love these horses! I love everything about them! Their ears, personality, beauty! Their ears make them look so cute XP
I love these horses! I love everything about them! Their ears, personality, beauty! Their ears make them look so cute XP
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Apr 3, 2012
• 6,350 views
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