The Marwari
~ Breed Characteristics ~
The Marwari horse is the original desert horse of the Marwar region in the state of Rajasthan in India. Selective breeding by Rajput rulers to meet the needs of their cavalry resulted in the development of this resilient and elegant breed that can survive well in difficult, arid and semi-arid habitats. This breed can withstand intense heat and cold and is capable of covering long distances at speed by virtue of its strong limbs and have hard hooves.
The Marwari horse is of medium height and sturdy with a track record of bravery and loyalty in battle. The ‘Malani’ region of Barmer district of Marwar, the villages of Nagar, Gurha, Jasol, Sindhari, Bakhasar, Patodi, some areas of Bhinmal, Sanchore and Sayala Tehsils of Jalore district are the nucleus areas of the breed of Marwari Horse. Many famous breeders of the Marwari breed are spread all over Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat. The others who are fond of Marwari Horse have taken it to various states of the country like Punjab and even abroad to USA. Today the horses are bred for sports, as police chargers, ceremonial or marriage horses and for personal interest. A good number of Marwari Horses can be seen at fairs of Pushkar and Tilwara and at the Marwar Horse and Cattle Show, the Chetak Horse Show in Mewar and the Shekhawati Horse Show.
The conformation of a Marwari horse has its own distinction. This conformation gives him unparalleled grace and balance, enabling him to excel as a sports and endurance horse. It is an animal which has strong limbs with clearly defined tendons, square frame and a thin coat which has the ability to cope with heat and cold without excessive dehydration. It has a well developed sense of smell and hearing which is very useful in the desert.
The Marwari is an elegant breed with much presence and quality.
| Head : |
The head is overall refined, long with a soft medium muzzle and a sensitive mouth. |
| Forehead : |
Flat and broad between the eyes. |
| Ears : |
The medium sized ears are soft and curved inward at the tips which are often touching, the length varying from 10 to 15 cms located on a 90 degree axis and can rotate 180 degrees. |
| Eyes : |
Large round eyes, set widely apart reflecting intelligence and a placid disposition. |
| Nasal bone : |
It is flat and long and raised in rare cases. |
| Nostrils : |
Spacious, rounded with an outward flare. They are full and sensitive. |
| Jaws : |
Well defined and prominent. |
| Neck : |
The head joins the narrow neck at an angle of about 45 degree, is proportionate with good musculature at the base and is with high head carriage. |
| Wither : |
Medium high and well defined. |
| Shoulders : |
Long, set at an angle of about 45 degree and muscular. |
| Chest : |
Medium and deep. |
| Back : |
The medium saddle back is powerful. The barrel or girth is deep with well sprung ribs. |
| Quarters : |
The quarters are well defined and muscular with a well rounded croup. |
| Stifle : |
Well developed and placed apart. |
| Hock : |
The hock is broad, clean, strong high set and free of excessive tissue. |
| Cannon : |
The cannon bones are strong, both front and rear show a perpendicular position and appear quite broad when viewed from the side. The extensors and flexors are strong and sharply defined. |
| Fetlock, Pastern & Hoof : |
The fetlock is round and strong. The pastern is short, strong and forward sloping. The front hoof is oblong and the hind hoof is round. The sole and wall are hard and strong. They are seldom shoed except in hills and for metalled roads. |
| Tail Setting : |
The tail of the Marwari is well set and carried high. |
| Average Height : |
15.1 hh (14.3 to 16.0 hh or 143 to 160 cms) |
| Average Shank Measurement : |
20.5 cms in male and
20.0 cms in female. |
| Colours : |
A wide range of colours is observed in Marwari horses. The colours in bracket are local names.
The most prevalent body colours are : Dark Brown (Muski or Bhanwar), Bay (Kumet), Dark Bay (Telia Kumet), Chestnut (Surang), Dun (Champa), Grey (Swet), Fleabitten Grey (Kagra), Skewbald (Lal Ablak), Pie Bald (Kala Ablak). |
Members of the Technical Committee
Dr. S.K. Dwivedi
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Dr. Laxman Singh Rathore
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MVSc., Ph.D., FNAAS, |
Ph.D., D.Lit., Vice Chancellor, |
Director, National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar |
Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur. |
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H.H. Maharana Mahipendra Singh Danta
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Dr. Sohan Singh Rathore
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Vice President (West Zone), |
M.S., Ph.D., FISVS, FNAS |
Marwari Horse Society, A prominent Judge |
Ex-Dean, Veterinary College, |
and Breeder of Marwari Horses. |
Punjab Agriculture University. |
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Ludhiana, Punjab |
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Th. Bhawani Singh Pal
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Kr. Gajendra Pal Singh Posana
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Working President, |
Joint Secretary, |
Marwari Horse Society, A prominent Judge |
Marwari Horse Society, A prominent Judge |
and Breeder of Marwari Horses. |
and Breeder of Marwari Horses. |
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Brig. Dr. N.M. Singhvi, VSM
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Col. Dr. Umaid Singh Rathore
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MVSC, Ph.D., FNAVS |
MVSC (Surgery), |
Member Executive Committee, |
Secretary General, |
Marwari Horse Society. |
Marwari Horse Society. |
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Counter Signed
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Gaj Singh
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Yuvraj Shivraj Singh Jodhpur
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Maharaja Marwar–Jodhpur |
Chairman |
Patron-in-chief |
Marwari Horse Society. |
Marwari Horse Society. |
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Heidi Bernsdorff
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President, |
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Indo-German Marwari Horse Society. |
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