India- Horses Issue

 

                                                 A set of 4 stamps on horses Of India was released by Smt Radhika Doraiswamy, Secretary, India Post in Ahmedabad on 9th, November, 2009.

Kathiawari Horse-

The Kathiawari is fairly small and fine featured, light built, but still strong and sturdy horse built much like itsArabian ancestors. They have long backs, sloping shoulders, slender necks and refined faces and a naturally high set tail. Their movement is fairly smooth, as many have the natural ability to pace.In the 17th and 18th centuries, the princely family of various States of Kathiawad, have evolved this ‘Kathiawadi’ breed by breeding the indigenous stock with the ‘Arab’ stallions to fulfill their sporty needs. Some State of old Kathiawad province took special interest and care in the development of this breed and due to their sustained efforts, present Kahtiawadi breed of horse has been developed.

The Kathiawari horse looks like an Arabian, but has curving ears that touch and are extremely movable. The most prominent body colour in KATHIAWARI horses is chestnut followed by bay (body chestnut, Foreleg up to knee and fetlock are black, KATHIAWARI black, Hairs of tail and neck are black), gray (complete white colour) and dun (light chestnut). The physical characteristics of KATHIAWARI horses are concave profile, long neck, short leg and squared quarters. Face is dry and short, triangular from pale to forehead and small muzzle, big nostrils, edge of nostril is thin; small, fine and curved upright ears on 90 degrees axis that can touch and rotate at 180 degrees , broad forehead and large expressive sensitive eyes. Tail is long, not bushy, curved well and touching to the ground, foot round and broad. These horses are friendly, compliant, and smart. The Kathiawari Horses today are used in India’s police force.

Marwari Horses-

This breed is derived fits name from its habitat: Marwar region of the Rajasthan . The Marwari horses are reared mainly for riding and sports and no attempts are being made to prepare them as thoroughbred race animals. The predominant body colour is brown where as other body colours are roan, chestnut, white and black with white patches. The Marwari horses have 130-140 cm long body, 152-160 cm height. The Marwari horses are longer and taller than Kathiawari horses.

 

Manipur Horses:-

Manipuri breed of ponies is one of the purest and prestigious breed of equines of India. It is a strong and hardy breed and has very good adaptability to extreme geo-climatic conditions. It is one of the well-known breeds of India and has been claimed as the oldest polo pony. They are found in Manipur and Assam, and are similar to the south-east Asian type pony.  Mane is generally coarse and upright. It has small pointed pricked ears, eyes are alert and slightly slant .The area between the nostrils is flat not crispy. Withers are not prominent. Face is concave and tail is well set and commensurate with height. Manipuri ponies are intelligent and extremely tough, and have tremendous endurance. Perhaps all these good qualities made it suitable for polo game for which it is globally famous.

 

Zanskari:-

Zanskari horses are bred in the high altitude Zanskar region of Ladakh in eastern Jammu and Kashmir State of India. Physique of this horse is very similar to the Spiti pony but are more adaptable for higher altitude where they are used as work horses.

The predominant body colour is gray followed by black and copper. The horses are known for their ability to work, run adequately and carry loads at high altitude. Horses are medium in size, well built and 120 to 140 cm high. The Zanskari horses have predominant eyes, heavy and long tail and uniform gait. The body hairs are fine, long and glossy. Only a few hundred horses at present exist in the Zanskar and other valleys of Laddakh. The Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu and Kashmir has recently established a Zanskari horse Breeding farm at Leh for breed improvement and conservation through selective breeding.

 Thanks to Mr.Vinod for Images.