Kathiawari horse

Kathiawari

Other names	Kathi, Cutchi, Kutchi
Country of origin	India
Equus ferus caballus

The Kathiawari is a breed of horse from India, originating in the Kathiawar peninsula. Closely related to the Marwari horse, and is believed to decsend from arabian but theory that it cross between kathiyawadi local mare and arab stallion is not acceptable as it can refuted logically and scientifically though some of the points the two breed are matching it does not necessarily mean that it is cross between the two. the Kathiawari was originally bred as a desert war horse for use over long distances, in rough terrain, on minimal rations. They are found in all colors except for black, and are commonly dun with primitive markings. Breeding diminished after India's independence, and today there are very few Kathiawaris left in existence. Originally used as war horses and cavalry mounts, they are currently used as mounted police horses and for the sport of tent pegging. The breed registry and annual shows are organized by the Kathiawari Horse Breeders' Association.

Breed characteristics

This Marwari horse shows the same inward curving ears as the Kathiawari

The best quality Kathiawaris are under 15 hands (60 inches, 152 cm); horses over this height often appear coarse and deviate from the desired breed type. The breed is found in all colors, except for black. Chestnut is the color seen most often, followed by bay, gray and finally dun. Many dun horses exhibit primitive markings, which shows a possible connection to the Tarpan. Pinto patterns do exist, but are extremely rare. The breed has a concave facial profile, with a broad forehead and short muzzle. The neck and body are proportional and relatively short, while both the head and tail are carried high. Although well-proportioned, many Western breeders consider them to be lacking in bone in the legs. However, soundness is an inherent characteristic of the breed. One of the breed's most distinctive features is its ears, which curve inward to touch and sometimes overlap at the tips. The Kathiawari has the most extremely curved ears of any breed of horse. At some points in the breed's history, breeders focused on the preservation of these curving ears, to the detriment of some other, more important, physical characteristics. Like many desert breeds, the Kathiawari can subsist on minimal rations and water and is more resistant to the heat than breeds developed in colder climates. As well as the usual gaits, the Kathiawari also performs a swift, lateral pace, called the revaal. They are known as high-spirited, intelligent and affectionate horses.

They are quite similar to the Marwari horse, another breed from India, having much of the same history and physical features. The main difference between the Kathiawari and the Marwari is their original geographic origin – Kathiawaris are from the Kathiawar peninsula while Marwaris are mainly from the Marwar region. Kathiawaris tend to have slight facial differences from the Marwari, and are slightly taller in general. The Kathiawari also resembles the Arabian horse, which contributed significantly during the development of the breed.

History

Although the earliest origins of the breed remain unknown, horses inhabited the western coast of India well before the Mughal Emperors of 1536 to 1857. Beginning during the Mughal reign, and continuing during the British Raj, Arabian horses were imported to India and crossed with the native stock, creating the ancestors of the modern Kathiawari breed. The Kathiawari may have also been influenced by the Mongolian horse. Traditionally, noble households specialized in their own strain of horses, naming their lines of horses after a foundation mare; 28 of these lines still exist. These noble houses selectively bred horses that could withstand extreme temperatures and minimal rations, carry a man with weapons and armor for long periods in rough terrain, and still be swift and nimble. They bred for wiry, sleek horses that were ideal for war, and Kathiawaris were noted for their loyalty and bravery in battle, often defending their riders even when wounded themselves. This breeding was maintained until India's independence.

Although still mainly bred in the Kathiawar peninsula, it is also found in the Maharashtra and Rajasthan states. The Kathiawari Horse Breeders' Association maintains the breed registry. The Gujarat government maintains stud farms in eleven different locations; one in Junagadh holds both mares and stallions and is tasked with preserving the breed, while the other ten hold Kathiawari stallions that are used for improving the local stock of other or mixed breeds. As of 2007, only about 50 Kathiawaris were held by private breeders. Today, the Panchaal region is renowned for its Kathiawari horses, often producing the most beautiful horses of the breed. In early 2010, the UK-based Friends of Marwari/Kathiawari Horse asked for donations of used bits. These would be given to owners of horses, including Kathiawaris, in India in place of home-made bits, which often have sharp edges that can injure the horse.

kathi kshatriya and kathiyawari breed

File:Kathi rajput horse with silver decoration, jasdan.jpg

horse decorated with silver ornamenets owned by kathi kshatriya of jasdan

The Kathi are said to have given their name to the Kathiawar region and to be mythologically descended from the Sura, an ancient race of sun worshipers found in western India. kathiyawari horse derive its name from region kathiyawar. There is no more trustworthy account of the origin of the Kathiwari horse than there is of the Kathi kshatriya themselves.kathi kshatriya have contributed well in development of kathiyawari breed like rathore contribution in development of marwari. It is probable that they brought mares with them when they migrated from the north.The best horse-breeding district is Panchal in the heart, of the province, mostly ruled by kathi kshatriya including Chotila, Paliyad, Anandpur, Bhimora, and Jasdan. Every requirement to successful horse-breeding is found in the PanchAl, favourable soil for the formation of the foot, hilly ground for the development of muscle, running streams of pure water, most nourishing grasses, and a dry and hot climate. From early times this tract has been visited by agents of Rajputana chiefs and others anxious to secure the Kathi blood. so proud are the kathi kshatriya of their horse that they rarely sold them. captain Grant write in his letter that when kathi kshatriya were on outlaw, while outlaws slept their mare watched by their side, and on hearing a suspicious sound tugged at their owner's sleeves, and horses has been favourate theme of their charan singers.kathi kshatriya are known for best horsemanship and horse breeding.Kathi Kshatriya are horse lovers and they have Kathiawari horses, which are known worldwide

history of brave chetak

Kathi horse(kathiyawadi horse) are brave war horse found in kathiyawad region of Gujarat. There are many stories of bravery, sacrifice, intelligance of kathiyawadi horse.This breed was developed by kathi kshatriya. Kathi kshatriya are said to preserved pure and refined kathiyawari breed like rathore ruler’s have preserved Marwari horses.there are 36 different strains of kathi horse.kathi kshatriya were so selective and precise in breeding and preserving these different strains & breeds that even Arab, which is now considered to be purest & oldest breed of the world, even they have only 12 sub breeds or families of the arab.there are no breeders of the horse in the world who had bred & developed so many different strains & families from particularly just one blood.this goes to show that the horse breeding knowledge, technique and passion was so prominent and horse mastership and horsemanship was very high standard in kathi kshatriya.from the early time kathiyawari has been used as war horse in rajasthan and Gujarat. From the early time kathiyawad has been visited by agents of rajputana(rajasthan) chiefs and other anxious to secure the kathi horse. Some of the famous horse of rajputana was kathiyawari breed. There are many accounts which prove that there was large demand of kathiyawari breed. A Charan woman, maa varudi ji (mother of Baru ji Sauda, of whom Sauda and Souda Barhat are descendants), from khod village of gujarat helped Rana Hamir; she used her own funds to supply him with 500 kathi horses to use in the recovery of Chittor. After the victory, Rana Hamir gave the title of Barhat to Baruji with 12 villages (including Soniyana, Aantri and Paaner). The Sauda were officially declared Barhat ji for the Sisodia Rajput clan in Mewar. Because of business of horse dealing this charan were called sauda (dealer). Sauda barhat are from Gujarat who are also called parajiya charan( charan who live with 3 paraj of kathi kshatriya). Maa deval was a horse dealer. She gave a mare kesar kalmi to pabuji. This mare was called kesar kalmi, kesar is a name of sub-breed of kathi horses (there are 36 sub-breed of kathi horse developed by kathi kshatriya) and kalmi was the name of pabuji’s horse.

File:Horse named shivbaksha given as gift to Maharana fatehsingh by Darbar shri Nangbapu khachar of Paliyad(a kathi kshatriya ruler).jpg

Horse named shivbaksha given as gift to Maharana fatehsingh by Darbar shri Nangbapu khachar of Paliyad(a kathi kshatriya ruler)

Maharana fatehsinghji of mewar heard about a rare horse owned by nang bapu khachar a kathi kshatriya of paliyad (Gujarat). This horse was kathiyawari breed and full black except two front leg which were white, name was shivbaksa. This horse is very rare. Speciality of this horse is that it should not be used for ridding and it is very good to worship this horse on vijaydasmi. Maharana fatehsingh sent his servents and other person to purchase this horse from nang bapu khachar. Nanag bapu said that this divine and rare horse should not be sold . So nangbapu decorated his horse with gold and silver ornament’s and gifted it to maharana fatehsinghji. Maharana fatehsingh was so happy to receive such horse that he invited nangbapu to his court and give very good position to him. Maharana fatehsinghji made his royal dress to wear by nangbapu khachar. Mahrana fatehsingh and nangbapu become very good friends. Maharana fatehsingh always used to worship shivbaksa(horse). and at last we will provide an authentic and well researched history of chetak of maharana pratap. There are many different accounts of which breed chetak belonged. Some of the historian has said that chetak was Arabian, but we have not found any evidence that chetak belonged to Arab. also there are no evidence that chetak was Marwari breed. Chetak of maharana pratap was pure kathiyawadi horse has more strong point. We can find many different account about chetak being kathiyawadi breed. Some of the historian of kathiyawar(Gujarat) believe’s that chetak was from khod village. But this historian has mistakenly taken account of rana hamir as rana pratap. Chetak was from Bhimora village (a place of kathi kshatriya known for its best horse) near chotila(Gujarat).this region is known for pure and brave kathi horses. Charan from bavdi village(near Jamnagar) was given two horse named chetak and netak as gift by kathi ruler of bhimora. This charan reached to chittor and expressed their feelings to meet maharana pratap to sale this two horses. Maharana pratap came to know about this horses. He came to meet this charan. He saw both the horse Netak and chetak. Maharana pratap asked charan about the speciality of this horse. So charan horse trader brought the netak and dug 4 pits on the ground, and buried all 4 hoofs into the ground. And from behind charan made a whip sound, netak jumped out with full strength leaving behind his all 4 hoofs behind. Netak died at the spot and chetak was chosen by maharana pratap.this is a well researched and authentic story of chetak. Many such kathi horses have made their name immortal in the history.such were the kathi horses. Today this brave kathi breed is on edge of extinction due to hybridization with other local breed.

Uses

In the early 1800s, the Kathiawari was used by the Maratha and British cavalries, and was considered superior to other breeds in this capacity. The use by the cavalry was maintained until the end of World War I, but they are used little by the Indian army in modern times, despite being a native breed. Many Indian mounted police units make use of the Kathiawari. The Kathiawari is also used extensively for the sport of tent pegging. Annual breed shows are hosted by the breed registry.

References

• Bongianni, Maurizio (editor) (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 0-671-66068-3. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
• Edwards, Elwyn Hartley (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Horse (1st American ed.). New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 1-56458-614-6.
• Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3884-8.

External links

• Indigenous Horse Society of India (IHSI)
• Kathiawari Horse Society of India