Native to the Marwar region of India, the Marwari horse is an ancient breed, well adapted to the desert conditions in which it was first bred. Their uniquely curved lyre shaped ears swivel in all directions which enhances their hearing and enables them to avoid getting sand in them. Their thin skins help them to withstand thirst and heat, and they do not require shoes. This horse can sustain itself with only small amounts of food. Because of the bone structure in their legs, they are able to more easily deal with deep sand and their long legs keep them high above the heat of the sand. Marwaris are reknowned for their homing instinct, and thus have saved many riders who became lost in the desert. The Marwari's coat is fine and silky. The average Marwari today stands 14-15 hands and may be a bay, chestnut, brown, palomino, piebald or skewbald.

Marwaris were prized as war horses by the Rathore cavalry during the Middle Ages. These horses were thought to be divine and because of this only the Rajput families and the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, were permitted to ride them.


Marwari Image Gallery


Sources:
The Marwari Horse
Mawari Horse