From the Marwarian region of India comes the Marwari horse. Descended from Arabian horse and native Indian horses, they are said to even have some Mongolian blood.
Noted for its ambling gait and bravery in battle from its history as a cavalry horse, this breed seemed to go extinct by the 1930's. Having been used also for agricultural work and packing, it had lost its popularity until a breed society was formed in 1995. Only about 5,000 of the breed survive today and they have been categorized as endangered.
With the elimination of the export of this animal for many years, it wasn't until the early 21st century before the Marwari began to be seen in small numbers out side of India.
Within the breed is a strain known as Natchini which is said to have been born to dance. It, therefore, only seems natural for this breed to have a natural aptitude to perform. Used for playing polo and for dressage, they have a natural ambling gait.
The breed has a average height of 14 to 17 hands high. These horses are known for their in turned ears, called 'lyre shaped' because it is shaped like the musical instrument. They turn at a 180 degree angle. They can be of any coloring although it is said that the white ones or ones with white markings such as a blaze or four white socks are said to be the most lucky. The pure white ones are used in religious work and are not accepted in the stud books. The black ones are the color of death and said to be the most unlucky. Gray ones are the most favored and valued with the skewbald (with white patches) or piebald (black and white) being second in popularity.
In a continued effort to preserve this breed, scientists have recently found the entire genome sequencing. This came after scientists from several universities studied the DNA of a 17-year old Marwari named Humayun. This breed also holds this in common with that of the Kathiawari and the gene that gave them its ambling gait.
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