Marwari horses find new home in England
JODHPUR: Horses of the Marwari breed are all set to carve a niche in the international arena as the number of their fans increases. Two mares and one filly, belonging to Hari Singh Champawat, an ardent lover of Marwari horses, would soon be going to England for the first time.
Industrialist Anthony Branford has taken a keen interest in these horses and the mares are being sent for his personal use. ‘‘It is perhaps the most beautiful horse breed in the world, besides being a hardy specie,’’ Champawat said.
"They can cope with the cold of England," said Champawat, adding that the desert too is very cold in winters. Moreover, young mares are being sent so that by the time they grow up, they would be acclimatised with the local weather conditions, he said.
According to experts, Marwari horses are great in endurance and can work with the same efficiency even in a temperature of 50 degrees celcius. Few horses belonging to Marwari breed have also been taken to Spain and USA. ‘‘If horses from abroad can come to our country, why can’t our horses go there," asked Champawat, who has been breeding Marwari or Malani breed of horses for several decades now. ‘‘We raise them like our children. I’m glad that the breed to which Chetak, the horse of Maharana Pratap, belonged would soon be acknowledged worldwide."
However, the lovers and breeders of Marwari horses are upset at the government’s neglect for the breed. ‘‘We are even unable to get our mares insured,’’ said Champawat.
Puja Gehlot of Marwar Horse Society said the government does not take much interest in export of this breed. If these horses are promoted, they would become famous among animal lovers. Though at present a mature mare fetches about Rs 15 lakh, the prices may shoot upto Rs 50 lakh if foreign breeders and horse lovers come into the picture.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Industrialist Anthony Branford has taken a keen interest in these horses and the mares are being sent for his personal use. ‘‘It is perhaps the most beautiful horse breed in the world, besides being a hardy specie,’’ Champawat said.
"They can cope with the cold of England," said Champawat, adding that the desert too is very cold in winters. Moreover, young mares are being sent so that by the time they grow up, they would be acclimatised with the local weather conditions, he said.
According to experts, Marwari horses are great in endurance and can work with the same efficiency even in a temperature of 50 degrees celcius. Few horses belonging to Marwari breed have also been taken to Spain and USA. ‘‘If horses from abroad can come to our country, why can’t our horses go there," asked Champawat, who has been breeding Marwari or Malani breed of horses for several decades now. ‘‘We raise them like our children. I’m glad that the breed to which Chetak, the horse of Maharana Pratap, belonged would soon be acknowledged worldwide."
However, the lovers and breeders of Marwari horses are upset at the government’s neglect for the breed. ‘‘We are even unable to get our mares insured,’’ said Champawat.
Puja Gehlot of Marwar Horse Society said the government does not take much interest in export of this breed. If these horses are promoted, they would become famous among animal lovers. Though at present a mature mare fetches about Rs 15 lakh, the prices may shoot upto Rs 50 lakh if foreign breeders and horse lovers come into the picture.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
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