The Marwari Horse has acquired it's name from it's original breeding place, Marwar in Rajasthan.

Easily recognized by their proud carriage, upright graceful neck and distinctive aquiline head with deep expressive eyes, the crowning glory are the unique lyre or scimitar shaped ears set high on the poll, touching at the tip, and without exception unique to this noble Indian horse.

The Marwari horse today is descended from the spendid war horses that served the ruling families and warriors of feudal India. Their status was unparalleled, as they were declared divine and superior to all men, including those of royal blood. Accordingly, only the Rajput families and the Kshatriyas - warrior castes - were permitted to mount these exalted animals.

The exotic beauty and vigour of the Marwari horse is their lasting heritage. They were bred to lift the heart in battle and please the eye. The intelligence and natural regal bearing of the Marwari is blended with tremendous equipoise, graceful animated gaits and stamina. They display an alert stillness when in repose and incredible elan vital in action. Hardiness and longevity have enabled the breed to survive wars, famine and droughts, as well as to adapt to different lifestyles and environmental conditions and to perform in various sports and formal riding disciplines.

Loyal, tireless and competitive, the Marwari has evolved from one of the world's ancient breeds to present a new archetype of beauty, brilliance and personality. Today the breed is once again achieving eminence after over a century of twilight status due to the Imperial presence of the British and further, the new Indian democracy.

The Marwari horse somehow survived wholesale slaughter, castration and fearful ignorance during the troubled times preceding Independence and for several decades later. It is thanks to the surviving Rajput families and horse lovers from all communities that the resilient and beautiful Marwari has emerged from the shadows onto a bright and hopeful future and out of the threat of extinction.

 

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The information on this page was taken from FRIENDS OF MARWARI / KATHIAWARI HORSE U.K. Follow the link for more on Marwari and other Indian breeds of horses.