The Marwari horse of today is descended from the splendid war horses that have served the ruling families and warriors of feudal India.
Then, and throughout most of India’s history, their status was unparalleled.
They were declared divine, and superior to all men, including those of royal blood.
The Marwari horse is native to the Marwar region of India, and its origins are entwined with local folklore.
The Rathores, a warrior clan of the Raiputs, were driven from their kingdom of Kannaju around the 12th century.
The harsh and desolate land in which they resettled was known as “Maru Pradesh,” the land of death, and it required a rugged horse.
The native Marwari horse proved well suited for both the desert and its role in battle for the Rathore cavalry.
With their long history as warrior horses in the desert, the Marwari are adaptable and agreeable in a variety of rugged environments.
In the desert, their smaller frame and light weight help them negotiate uneven and soft desert sand.
The Marwari breed has long been noted for its exceptional hearing: allowing both horse and rider early warning of impending danger.
The Marwari horses have several distinctive physical characteristics.
They have an extremely proud bearing, distinctive aquiline head and deeply expressive eyes.
Perhaps most noticeable are the ears with their unusual lyre-shape which often appear to meet at the tips.
This is unique to the breed. They are noted for their graceful, active gait and their good nature.
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Link: About The Marwari Breed
Link: Saving The Raja’s Horse ~ Smithsonian Magazine
Simply Marvelous Horse World 
What beautiful animals! When I saw the ears I thought I had seen or read something about them before. Then I saw your links and knew where. We get the Smithsonian.
I just reread the article from your link. That breed really does have a colorful and fascinating history.
Wow…very neat breed! Great entry too!
Hi Jolynna,
They certainly are unique. Found the Smithsonian article very interesting. Such a wonderful magazine. Would love to see a Marwari, sometime.
Sabrina:
Thanks. It’s amazing how many fascinating breeds there are in the world … each with interesting backgrounds.
Definitely a unique breed.
Beautiful horses!
Their ears are VERY unique, just as much as their history-wow!
Hi, I stopped by from Tracey’s at Carpenter Creek. Excellent post and quite educational. Thank you.
The story below about the Santa Fe Race: I walk on parts of the Santa Fe Trail quite frequently as it passes through our town and not far from our neighborhood. There is a lot of interest in the trail right now and within in the next several years plans are to completely reconnect it and make it available for a full-length hike/walk. No motorized vehicles.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I’m so glad you did as now I get to read yours! Gorgeous photos and great information. What’s your other blog?
Hi Paul,
Very interesting about the reconnect of the Santa Fe Trail. And how great that there will be no motor bikes etc.
What a wonderful way to keep that part of our history alive. Thanks for the info and your comments.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for visiting. I very much enjoyed reading your blog.
Here is my other blog about my little “farm” and about life with my horses and assorted other members of the “family”. Would love to have you visit.
Strawberry Lane: http://strawberry-lane.blogspot.com/
hallo
i liked your site very much. bythe way i am working with Air india. i am from udaipur . i am really very intresting about horse etc also i have horses
i would like to be contact with you
thanks
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Hello Lalit,
Thanks for your message. Always happy to hear from people who love horses!
I first saw these horses in “The Jungle Book” Starring Jason Scott Lee, and looked them up online. Awesome!!
Dear all,
Thought you might like to know more about Marwari and Kathiawari horses, if so see http://www.horseindian.com or the UK Overseas Chapter site which is http://www.friendsofmarwari.org.uk Mission Statement:
“A non profit making organisation working towards international recognition of, and dedicated to the improvement and preservation of, the Marwari and Kathiawari Horses of India”
“The majestic Marwari ~ The Raja’s horse, with their distinctive curly touching ears, unflinching stamina & a spirit rarely found in other breeds, they have been depicted for centuries as the horse of the Rajput warrior”
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Caroline,
Thank you very much for the links to more information about these magnificent horses.
1 of the biggest lover of marwari horses i have 27 female marwari and 22 male marwari horses our horses are the best horses in whole gujarat….
i liked this site very much
i love marwari horse
I love the Marawari horse. It is such a beautiful horse. I want one soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad, I would just do anything to have one. Althouogh I should be thankful that my grandpa is looking for a nice, and quiet horse for me. The thing that i love about the Marawari horse is its curved ears. I just think that they look so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Marawari is probably my favorite breed. I like the black one that I printed out from your website. I like this horse so much, I could just sit here all day, just talking about to all of my friends and my whole family.
I know almost everything about the Marawari horse. Like did u know that the Kathawari is related to the Marawari. Anyway I have to go.
LOVE YOU. ASPEN
This is one of my favorite breeds and they are so unique and splendid even though i have never ridden one i think that they are perfect to ride they have strange ears that are rather strange i love horses very much and love to look at pics of them.
P.S I LOVE THIS BREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m writing my PhD on the horse culture in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East and LOVE this post! It would be wonderful to keep in touch with a fellow horse lover! I have a dissertation blog [and a family blog], let me know if you’re interested!
I’m sure many people would be very interested !
I first saw these magnificent horses at the Palace in Udapiur. Subsequently I searched for the opportunity to ride one & did just that over two days in 2006. I fell in love them from the first moment I laid eyes on them.
love the pics. My mom loved them!
like you I’ve been fascinated to know ‘why the Malawi ears turn in’.I got the answer from the brilliant Dr Robert Miller, http://www.robertmiller.com.He’s the author of foal imprinting, So finally we have an answer.Dr Miller says it is most certainly a genetic aberration that someone decided they liked and then selectively bred in order to perpetuate.i found this out whilst doing reasearch for a game, if you would like to order a copy then email me at horse@equus101.com-its gonna be huge! 🙂