The genus of these horses was bred in the Marwar region (currently Jadpur), which is located in India. That is why this breed of horse is called Marvari. Sometimes they can be called malani.
This genus was bred a long time ago, according to one of the high priests of the monastery, they appeared when "when the ocean foamed with the nectar of the gods ... times when horses were winds." In this article we will get acquainted with the Indian breed of Marwari horses, study the features, characteristics and photos of this kind.
The legend of how the breed originated
There are many legends about how and when these horses appeared. According to the most popular of them, a shipwreck of an Arab ship off the coast of India once happened a long time ago. On board were carried Arabian horses, only seven horses of all managed to escape. They were able to get to Kach County on the coast. After some time, the animals were caught by the locals of the Marwar region. Arabian horses crossed with strong and strong Indian ponies. It is believed that there is blood of Mongolian relatives in the Malani horses. The breed was bred by several generations of Maharajas, tempered in the deserts of Rajasthan. As a result, we got very beautiful, hardy and unpretentious horses of the Marvari breed. She is considered the royal breed, the mysterious and the most poorly studied.
Origin
In the XII century, the Rajput clan Rathor began to breed, in the Middle Ages they were the dominant caste in North India. For breeding Rakhtora took only purebred and most hardy animals. They managed to create the perfect war breed for desert battles. Such qualities of Arabian horses as intellect, beauty, extraordinary stamina and special devotion of local animals were taken as a basis. With the advent of the Mongols in the lands of India, low-growing steppe horses and thoroughbred Turkmen horses appear here, who further contributed to the improvement of the Marwari breed. For several centuries, breeders improved the breed, selection was carried out according to very strict criteria.
The Rathors bred very hardy Marwari horses, whose lifestyle goes on badlands. Feeding on the meager vegetation of deserts, they adapt well to climatic conditions and for a long time do without water. These horses are capable of traveling long distances at high speed. An amazing feature of malani horses is the structure of their shoulders: they are at a much smaller angle relative to the legs. This structure makes the front of the animal much easier, which gives him the opportunity to move well on the sand.
On the brink of extinction
For several centuries, horses were used as cavalry horses, but only people with high social status could own them. In the 19th century, India became a colonial country owned by England. The new owners tried to destroy all the customs of this country. Horses of English and European descent were brought to India, and most of the Marvari breed was used for meat. By the thirties of the last century, the animal population had declined significantly.
Since 1950, breeding work has been restored to recreate the Marvari breed. A ban was also imposed on the export of these animals to other countries. In 2000, as an exception, the American Francesca Kelly was allowed to export several heads of horses of this breed from India - only because it was she who organized the society to preserve this valuable breed.
Marvari horses: characteristics
This breed is characterized by very elegant body shapes. Malani horses have a lean body, a small head with a straight profile, and a wide muzzle. Animals have large beautiful eyes, a small mouth, and jaws are well developed. Their neck is of medium length, not thick, the head connects to the neck at an angle of 45 degrees. The chest is quite deep and wide, pronounced withers and long graceful legs. The hooves are very hard, almost no horseshoe horses. Marvari horses have special ears, which no other breed has any more: they are pointed from above and are close to each other. The length can be from 9 to 15 centimeters, touching the tips, they form a heart. Ears have the ability to rotate 180 degrees. It is believed that thanks to such ears, animals have a delicate hearing.
The horses are calm, submissive, able to navigate well in space. Parametric indicators: growth at the withers is from 152 to 163 cm, in some provinces individuals are found having growth from 142 to 173 cm.
Color
The color of the Marvari horse breed can be as follows: bay, white, gray, red, black, piebald.
White horses especially revered. They participate only in sacred rites and rituals.
Animals of gray and similar shades are the most popular among horse breeders.
Blacks or blacks are considered a defect in the breed. For Hindus, black is a symbol of death and darkness.
Marvari horse breed: photos, interesting facts
From history it is known that representatives of this breed participated in the great battles that took place in India. Marvari horses possessed exceptional fighting qualities that allowed them to engage in an unequal battle with the elephant drivers. Very often the Rajupts won victories due to their cunning and ingenuity. For example, in the Middle Ages before the battle, warriors wore specially made false trunks on their horses. The war elephants belonging to the enemy mistook them for small elephants and did not attack. At this time, specially trained horses of the Marvari breed stood with their front legs on the forehead of the elephant, and the rider struck the spear with a spear.
In the Middle Ages, a trained army consisted of fifty thousand horsemen. Horses of this breed are very loyal and loyal to their owner. It is believed that the horse will never abandon the wounded owner, and will carefully guard him and drive away enemies. In that case, if the owner gets lost, then thanks to a special instinct, the animal will always find a way home.
Reproduction and longevity
In 2007, a genetic study was conducted, from which it became known that the Marvar horses were closely related to six other Indian breeds, with Arabian horseback horses and Tibetan ponies. Marwari horses cannot be found in the wild. Only the descendants of special warlike clans in the Marwar region are engaged in their breeding. Breeding and conservation of this breed is supported at the state level. Currently, there is a steady increase in the number of these unique animals, which, of course, pleases horse breeding enthusiasts. Life expectancy of these royal horses with good and proper care is about 30 years.
Marvari in Russia
There are rumors among horse farmers about the presence of two marvari horses in the private stables of very wealthy people. But how they got to Russia is known only to the owners and the horses themselves.
Where to use this breed
The cavalry unit is still operating in the Indian army . But, despite all the outstanding qualities of malani horses, they are rarely used to staff the army. This is due to the fact that the bulk of the livestock is used to restore the population.
Marwar horses are universal in purpose. Use them for riding or transporting goods. Representatives of this breed are often harnessed to crews. In the villages they are used for agricultural work. The best individuals are crossed with purebred horse breeds for an even more universal horse. Marwari horses are used to play water polo, they take part in various festivals, weddings and Indian dances.