• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Horse Breed Information

    Meet The Marwari Horse: A Rare Breed Known For Their Curly Ears

    Modified: May 5, 2020 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Developed in the state of Marwar (Jodhpur), this rare breed of equine descends from the mounts of the famous Rajput warriors. A breed of strength, loyalty, and grace, the Marwari horse is known for its beauty and unique ears, but did you know these interesting facts about this rare breed? 

    The Marwari horse is a loyal and brave war horse

    Marwari horses were used in battle for various reasons. They remained loyal to their riders and were known to always be able to find their way home, carrying an injured or lost warrior miles to safety through the desert. These horses also have exceptional hearing, notifying their masters when danger was near even before they were able to see it.

    Portrait of a chestnut marwari horse.

    A horse of many legends

    The Marwari horse is a subject of many tales. One of which is about a horse named Chetak. The famous stallion was believed to have carried Maharana Pratap, a warrior who slayed the last of the Moguls in the battle of Haldighati. The grey stallion was brave enough to take on an elephant and reared to allow Pretap to kill the Mogul on top of the war elephant. Even after being wounded by the tusks, the horse carried his master for miles before dying near a river.

    Some people even believe that the Marwari horses can be traced back to the period of the gods and their horses with wings. There is an ancient Indian legend that many believe surrounding these horses. It was believed that if a soldier was wounded in battle, a truebred Marwari would always carry his rider to safety.

    Head shot of Marwari horse with characteristic curved ears.

    It was illegal for a Marwari horse to leave India

    Because the breed is rare and faced extinction, there was an export ban placed in the 1930's and no Marwari horses were able to leave India. It wasn’t until 2000 when the first shipment of six horses was sent to the US to Francesca Kelly, a horsewoman with a passion for Marwari horses. Today, the breed is still rare with fewer than 5,000 purebred horses in the entire world. Kelly hopes to help restore numbers by breeding in the US today.

    Marwari Horse

    A horse studied by scientists

    The Marwari horse was the first breed of Asia to have its whole genome sequenced. Because of being endangered, scientists wanted to help try to restore the breed. They were able to trace back the breeding input of Arabian and Mongolian horses. Additionally, they were also able to pin the gene connected with their unique feature, their inward turning and sometimes touching ears being linked to the Kathiawari horse, another rare and old breed.

     

    Marwari horses are a breed set apart from many in that they become one with their masters, even willing to die for them. Even though the breed is rare and has faced extinction, people respect these beautiful horses and have given back the same level of loyalty in hopes to increase numbers and continue breeding the pure and unique Marwari horse.  And who can resist those ears?

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    Have you ever gotten the chance to see a Marwari horse in real life? Share with us in the comments section.

    marwari horse

    More Horse Breed Information

    • A white Azteca horse with black patches tied to a tree.
      Azteca Horses: Everything You Need to Know (with Images)
    • The Strongest Horse Breeds in The World
    • Five Horse Breeds Known For Their Graceful Gait
    • Equine 411: All About The Paso Fino

    Sharing is caring!

    8.1K shares
    • Share8.0K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christie Lynn

      February 07, 2022 at 11:18 pm

      I would love to see more marwari horses and encourage the breeding in the United States for sure!! I hope to follow This magnificent breed!

      Reply
      • Amary Grewal

        July 11, 2022 at 3:53 pm

        I use to ride them in India when I was young. Never realized there significance in history.

        Reply
    2. Susan Williams

      January 24, 2023 at 10:16 am

      I do business in India and have seen this breed in Jodhpur. It was pulling a cart.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 17 Beautiful Spanish Horses Breeds (Rare Photos)
    • 7 Breathtaking Horseback Riding Rides in Texas
    • 7 Ways to Get Rid Of Dandruff on Your Horse
    • The 7 Hands-Down Best Horse Documentaries
    • 7 Proven Methods to Teach Your Horse to Stand Still

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    8.1K shares
    • 8.0K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy