The Marwari horse breed is considered very rare.. It comes from Marwar, an Indian region. The animals gained their fame thanks to the original shape of their ears. In appearance, Marwaris resemble the Kathiyawari, another Indian breed. To horse breeding was successful, it is important to provide them with proper and complete care, as well as a balanced diet.
Origin of Marwari horses
The history of the appearance of these Indian horses goes back to the Middle Ages.Already in the twelfth century, the rulers of the Marwar region, the Rathores, sought to maintain an attractive exterior and endurance characteristics. Therefore, they strictly selected animals for breeding.
There is evidence that Marwaris are descended from horses from nearby countries. The breed is also based on Arabian and Mongolian breeds. At the same time, a distinctive feature of the new animals was their unique ears, which are not typical for any of the species.
In the thirties of the 20th century, the number of Marwari horses decreased greatly. This was caused by improper treatment of animals. This problem has not been resolved to this day. Therefore, it is difficult to buy a Marwari horse. For many decades, animals were prohibited from being exported outside of India. This became possible only in 2000. However, animals are only allowed to be exported in certain quantities.
Characteristics and appearance of the horse
These horses with curled ears are difficult to confuse with other breeds. The animals have a beautiful physique. They are characterized by long legs and a proportional neck. The horses also have pronounced withers. A large head is characterized by a straight profile. The famous ears can grow up to 15 centimeters and rotate 180 degrees. Horses differ in height at the withers. It is 1.42-1.73 meters.
The skeleton also has an unusual structure. The shoulder joints of horses are located at a smaller angle to the legs than those of other breeds. This distinctive feature helps to avoid animals getting stuck in the sand. The unique structure of the shoulders helps the Marwari move softly and smoothly. Every rider will love this feature. In addition, animals are distinguished by durable and powerful hooves. Therefore, horseshoes are not required for them.
A characteristic feature of the animals is their peculiar gait.In the northwestern regions of India it is called revaal. This innate amble is comfortable for the rider. This is especially true in desert conditions.
Horses of this breed can have different colors. The most common are bay and red animals. At the same time, piebald and gray horses are considered the most expensive.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main disadvantage of animals is their high level of care. This requires a lot of time and effort from the breeder. Another disadvantage is the rarity of horses. It is difficult to purchase a horse of this breed.
Requirements for maintenance, care and nutrition
Animals must be kept in separate stalls. Their dimensions must be at least 3.5x3.5 meters. It is important to walk your horses several hours a day. In addition, they need communication with other animals.
Wooden stables should be used for breeding horses. However, there are also good brick buildings. The ceiling height should reach 3 meters.
It is recommended to provide windows and high-quality ventilation in the room. It is important to ensure that there are no drafts in the stable. They often provoke the development of pathologies in animals. It is worth placing paddocks for walking near the stables.
The organization of high-quality bedding is of no small importance. It should be made from peat, sawdust or straw. It is recommended to change the flooring daily. It is worth systematically assessing the condition of your pet’s hooves.
Feeding horses depends on the load, total weight, and individual characteristics. The basis of the diet should be oats and hay. It is also recommended to give animals bran and carrots. Salt should be added to the diet of animals. It is best to ensure that horses have constant access to this product. To do this, a lick briquette is placed in the stall. In the warm season, it is recommended to graze animals in the fields.
You should definitely include vitamins and minerals in your diet. It is also recommended to use apples, beets, and watermelons to feed horses. These products are used as treats. In addition, they contain many vitamins.
It is imperative to provide animals with access to water. For this, it is recommended to use automatic drinkers. It is also acceptable to provide water in buckets before meals. At the same time, it is important to keep the process under control. If a hot horse drinks too much water, there is a risk of serious health problems.
Reproduction and lifespan
With adequate care, the life expectancy of horses is 20-30 years. It is permissible to breed only healthy pets that do not have behavioral disorders. It is important to choose the right pair. It is recommended to ensure that the female is larger than the male.
Animals over 3 years old are allowed for breeding. At this point, their body completes its development. Mating can be carried out naturally or artificially. The best time to breed animals is from mid-March to July. Thanks to this, the baby will be born next spring or summer. During this period it is quite warm and there is a lot of greenery.
Use of Marwar horses
The Marwari breed is considered universal. It is used for riding and transporting goods.In the Middle Ages, animals were used by cavalrymen. Today, the bulk of the livestock is involved in breeding. So far, it has not been possible to completely restore the population of these animals.
The Marwari is considered a unique breed of horse that is rarely found. A distinctive feature of animals is the unusual shape of their ears. For pet breeding to be successful, they require proper care.
