These horses are believed to be the descendants of wild horses which used to inhabit the alpine region of Spiti, Ladakh and Tibet. There are two strains - Spiti and Konimare (comparatively taller).
Major utility
Work - Transport, riding, draught.
Comments on utility
The spiti horses are primarily reared for transport purposes. The migratory horses kept by shepherds move with sheep and goat flocks and are used as transport carrier and for riding purpose.
Comments on breeding tract
Main breeding tract is Kaja Subdivision of Lahul and Spiti district and Yanthang area of Kinnaur district. Sizable population is found in adjoining districts of Kullu, Mandi and Kangra.
Adaptability to environment
These horses thrive well in the height range of 5000 to 15000 ft above MSL. The majority of these areas are adjacent to permanent snowline with arid cold climate without large vegetation
Population
Year
Population
Other information
2002
4000
Survey conducted by HPKV, Palampur under Network project on AnGR of NBAGR, Karnal.
2013
1010
Source: Estimated Livestock Population Breed Wise Based on Breed Survey 2013. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Government of India, New Delhi
Management
Management system
Backyard
Mobility
Stationary as well as migratory
Feeding of adults
Grazing, Fodder and Concentrate
Comments on Management
In the main breeding tract, all the horses are stationary from December to May. In June, all horses except young ones and pregnant females are shifted to high land pastures for almost five months till they are taken back to homes when heavy snowfall occurs. Herd size ranges from 1 to 3. Kannait community rear these horses.
Morphology
Colour
Highly variable ranging from chestnut to black. Grey colour is most predominant followed by brown and black.
Horn shape and size
Visible characteristics
Limbs and muzzle are of the same colour as that of main body
Male
Female
Overall
Height (avg. cm.)
132.14
131.19
Body Length (avg. cm.)
129.85
122.88
Heart girth (avg. cm.)
143.12
140.56
Body weight (avg. kg.)
240.0
224.0
Birth weight (avg. kg.)
31.85
29.93
Performance
Average
Minimum
Maximum
Age at first parturition (months)
43.68
36.0
58.0
Parturition interval (months)
12.23
Any Peculiarity of the breed
The nuchal ligament in Spiti ponies is very powerful elastic apparatus, which assists the extensor muscles of the head and neck. It is longer in comparison to other breeds of horses, which helps the animal to walk and carry load in steep mountains.
All the above information of following Indian Breed is collected from Public Database of NBAGR, India. We (Digi Vets) just published information in an original format, without making any changes. The value of statistics can be changed in future according to census.
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