Photo: Raghvendra99674010 · CC BY-SA 4.0 horse breed · 671 on Animalso
Kathiawari Horse: Indian Breed from Gujarat
- Animal
- Horse
- Type
- Riding horse
- Origin
- India
- Height
- 1.4 cm
The Kathiawari, also called Kathiawadi, is a horse breed from the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat in western India. It was developed as a desert war horse for long distances, rough ground and limited rations. Today it is used for riding, harness work and sports, with some police and tent-pegging use.
What the Kathiawari is
The Kathiawari is an Indian riding horse from the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat. It is associated with the Kathi people and was bred as a desert war horse for long-distance travel over rough terrain with minimal rations.
Origin and background
The breed began in India. It was used historically as a war horse and cavalry mount. Arab horses influenced it, and it is closely related to the Marwari horses of Rajasthan.
What it is used for
Kathiawaris are used for riding, harness work and sports. Some are also used as police horses or for tent-pegging.
Points to know
Its coat may be any color other than black, with chestnut seen most often. Its recorded height is 1.4.
Breed records
A stud-book is maintained by the Kathiawari Horse Breeders' Association, which also holds annual shows.
Who may want another breed
Someone seeking a horse with a different origin or role may want to compare other horse breeds. Readers focused on Indian breeds can browse horse breeds from India.
Is the Kathiawari a fit?
Choose this breed if its Indian origins, desert-war history and present-day riding, harness or sports uses match your plans. Its close relationship to the Marwari may also interest people comparing regional Indian horses.
What stands out
- Bred for long-distance travel across rough desert terrain
- Used today for riding, harness work and sports
- Closely related to the Marwari horse
- May be used as a police horse or for tent-pegging
Worth knowing
- Black is the only color not recorded for the breed
- Its history centers on a specialized desert war-horse role
- The listed height is 1.4
Suits
- Riders interested in an Indian desert horse
- Harness, riding or sports use
- People comparing Kathiawari and Marwari horses
Think twice if
- You want a breed from outside India
- You need a horse chosen for a role other than riding, harness or sports
In short
The Kathiawari suits readers drawn to an Indian horse with a clear history of desert travel, cavalry work and association with the Kathi people. Its modern roles include riding, harness work and sports, with some police and tent-pegging use. The breed is most commonly chestnut, but black is the one color not recorded for it. Consider the Marwari when you want a closely related horse from Rajasthan.
Questions
Where does the Kathiawari come from?
It comes from the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat in western India.
What was the Kathiawari bred to do?
It was bred as a desert war horse for long distances, rough terrain and minimal rations.
How tall is a Kathiawari?
Its recorded height is 1.4.
What colors can Kathiawari horses be?
Their coats can be any color except black, and chestnut is the most common.
What is the Kathiawari used for today?
It is used for riding, harness work and sports, and may also serve as a police horse or take part in tent-pegging.
Is the Kathiawari related to the Marwari?
Yes. The two breeds are closely related, and both have been influenced by imported Arab horses.
More horse breeds from India
Bhimthadi horse India Photo: John Lockwood Kipling · Public domain 
Manipuri pony India Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain 
Marwari horse India Photo: Virendra.kankariya · Public domain 
Other riding horse breeds
Ader Niger Photo: Ssmiling · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Amurski horse People's Republic of China Photo: N. Bunin and others · Public domain 
Anglo-barb horse Algeria Photo: Monod · Public domain 
Photo credits13 photographs on this page
- Kathiawari — Raghvendra99674010 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Bhimthadi horse — John Lockwood Kipling · Public domain · file page
- Bhutia Horse — Andreas Lederer · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- Manipuri pony — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
- Marwari horse — Virendra.kankariya · Public domain · file page
- Spiti Horse — Anshul24Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Zaniskari — BasinField · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Ader — Ssmiling · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- American Quarter Horse — José Reynaldo da Fonseca · CC BY 2.5 · file page
- Amurski horse — N. Bunin and others · Public domain · file page
- Anglo-barb horse — Monod · Public domain · file page
- Arab-Barb — Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Araber-Haflinger — Nomygon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.