Characterisation of Indian Kathiawari horses

Abstract

SummaryThe breeding tract of Kathiawari horses is the Saurashtra region of Gujrat, comprising of the Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Junagarh and Amreli districts. Kathiawari horses are reared for carting, riding, sports and transportation. The breed is closely related with the Marwari breed of Rajasthan. The most predominant body colour is chestnut in Kathiawari horses and black in Marwari horses. The capital nags of the Kathiawari breed are from 14 to 14.5 HH, sound, sure footed and hardy, fast and decidedly good looking. The herd size at farmer level varied from 1 to 4. In the study an attempt has been made to note the physical characteristics and management practices for rearing these horses in the breeding tract. Body measurement of Kathiawari and Marwari horses were recorded. It was observed that Kathiawari horses had a smaller body, shorter height, smaller heart girth, ears and face than the Marwari horses. The performance of the Kathiawari breed under intensive management was studied. The average age at first fertile service, and at first foaling, herd life, total foals during lifetime, gestation period, service period and foaling interval were 1 658±79 days, 1 989±80 days, 6 499±650 days, 4.93±0.52 foals, 333.58±1.76 days, 257.23±46.49 days and 597.76±49.70 days, respectively.

Characterisation of Spiti Horses of India

“…The ear length was influenced interval was lower than those reports of Panchal et al, (1995) and Pundir et al, (1997). Sex and interaction of sex and location did not affect this trait significantly.…”

“…The age at first fertile service and age at first foaling were lower than the reports of Panchal et al, (1995) and Pundir et al, (1997), for Kathiawari horses. The age at first fertile service and age at first foaling were lower than the reports of Panchal et al, (1995) and Pundir et al, (1997), for Kathiawari horses.…”

“…The age at first fertile service and age at first foaling were lower than the reports of Panchal et al, (1995) and Pundir et al, (1997), for Kathiawari horses. The service period ranged from 10 to 218 days and estimate was lower than the reports of Pundir et al, (1997). The service period ranged from 10 to 218 days and estimate was lower than the reports of Pundir et al, (1997).…”

Morphological diversities and ecozones of Ethiopian horse populations

“…Most of the early information on phenotypic characterization is confined mainly to Marwari, Kathiawari and Spiti breeds (Pundir et al, 1997;Pundir, 2001Pundir, , 2004Singh, Yadav and Mehta, 2002a, b). Further detailed studies on high-quality phenotypes can also give direct insight into genetic quality of these highly structured populations.…”

Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Ashwagandha Root Extract: An Experimental Study in an Equine Model

“…Improvement of animal husbandry and scientific understanding of animal physiology and psychology can yield an effective solution to the problems of the horses. Kathiawari horses were used in the present study, which is a recognized breed from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat state ( 21 ). Kathiawari horses have good temperament, strength, pace, and endurance and are genetically close to the Arabian horses.…”