The Marwari Horse Shekawati in Rajasthan,tourist spot in shekawati rajasthan & wild life, national parks and palaces in rajasthan

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The Marwari Horse

The Marwari Horse - Dundlod Fort has a breeding stable. The Marwari horse of today have descended from the splendid war horses that had served the ruling families and warriors of India. They were said to be divine and much superior to the human race, even the Royals. That is why, only the Rajput families and the Kshatriyas (warrior caste) were allowed to mount these divine beings .

The Marwari horse somehow survived wholesale slaughter, castration and ignorance during the times of trouble just before independence and several decades later. It is because of the Rajput families and horse lovers from other communities that the divine and beautiful Marwari emerged from its shadows into a bright future.

The Marwari horse's height is usually between 14 and 17 hands depending on its origin. The Marwari comes in wide variety of colors. The most prevalent body colors are Brown (Bhanwar), Bay (Kumet), Dark Bay (Telia Kumet), Chestnut (Surang), Dun (Champa), Grey (Shwet), Flea-bitten Grey (Kagra), Skewbald (Lal Ablak), Piebald (Kala Ablak). Their bodies are powerfully proportioned, compact and elegant with round rumps and muscular thighs and shoulders, making a good all round pleasure horse.

Marwari's have sub classes - Vangli, Chabili, Kesar, Bhutni, Ladki, Sangi, Raktan, Tejan, Kshatriya, Phoolmal, Jagmaal, Tejan Brahmini & Padmini. Marwari's natural tendency to perform makes him particularly suitable for dressage. Marwari's are tough, brave, undeniably beautiful horse and able to adapt and thrive in most environmental conditions.

Marwari is a gaited horse with several gears. Other than posting, cantering and galloping, he engages in the REVAAL. This smooth and comfortable gait with minimal vertical movement is used in the desert to cover long distances in great comfort. The Marwari is often trained for dancing at the many festivals and marriages in rural Rajasthan. This dancing is an ethnic form to the maneuvers of combat of previous centuries.

The Marwari's are naturally horses which are very proud, showy with a high head carriage and very alert. Marwari's neck is beautifully arched in movement. Another unique characteristic of the Marwari are the remarkable curled ears which also form a perfect arch when pricked forward. Marwari head's is straight with a tendency to a roman nose rather than convex. Marwari's eyes are large, luminous and set wide. Marwari's coat is very fine and silky and befits a desert horse and in USA it's known to grow denser in the colder winters.

An example of this Marwari / Kathiawari breed was Chetak, the horse of RANA PRATAP which he rode during the gruesome HALDIGHATTI BATTLE in 1576. Chetak died in this battle. It is said that Chetak had a coat with a blue tinge. That may be the reason why Rana Pratap is referred as the "Rider of the Blue Horse".

It is said that Rana Pratap on Chetak, charged head-on at the Imperial army, hacking his way through the enemy, reached in front of Man Singh's elephant. Chetak then reared high in the air and planted his hooves on the forehead of Man Singh's elephant. Chetak also received a fatal wound on one of his legs. This was the turning point of the battle. After Man Singh was whisked away to safety, Rana Pratap was surrounded by enemy soldiers.

As the Mughal army surrounded the Jhala sardar taking him to be Rana Pratap, Rana left the battlefield on Chetak who was exhausted and seriously wounded, but struggled to carrying his master to safety. 2 miles from the battle site, they came across a small stream, where, while trying to leap across the stream that Chetak collapsed and died. At this spot, Rana Pratap erected a small but beautiful monument for his beloved companion. You can see this cenotaph, near the village of Jharol, Rajsamand District.

Places to stay: Dera Dundlod Lodge

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