The Kathiawari is a riding horse from the Kathiawar peninsula, also called Saurashtra, in Gujarat. It is known for endurance and a strong build; its small ears curve in until the tips overlap, and a brown stripe along the spine is typical of the breed (NBAGR database). NBAGR registers it as a horse breed of Gujarat (NBAGR register), and NRCE describes it as the oldest horse breed of India (ICAR-NRCE).
How to recognise it
- Ears: small and fine, turned inward so that the tips overlap (NBAGR database). The horse can turn them through 180 degrees (ICAR-NRCE).
- Head: a broad forehead that bulges above the eyes and a concave, dished face (NBAGR database), with large, expressive eyes, a small muzzle and big nostrils (ICAR-NRCE).
- Colour: mostly chestnut or bay, often with a white star and stripe on the face and white socks or stockings on the legs (NBAGR database). NRCE lists chestnut as the most common colour, then bay, grey and dun (ICAR-NRCE).
- Mane, tail and back: long, curly hair on the mane and tail, and a brown stripe along the spine (NBAGR database). The tail is long and reaches the ground (ICAR-NRCE).
- Body: a long neck, short legs, square hindquarters and round, broad hooves (ICAR-NRCE).
- Height and weight: NBAGR's averages are about 151 cm at the withers for stallions and 148 cm for mares, with stallions weighing about 337 kg and mares about 321 kg (NBAGR database). NRCE gives an average height of 147 cm (ICAR-NRCE).
What it is good for
- Riding. NBAGR lists riding as the breed's work and notes its endurance and strong build (NBAGR database). NRCE adds security work and safaris (ICAR-NRCE).
- A special gait. The Kathiawari is famous for its own gait, called rewal (NBAGR database).
- Ceremonies. Kathiawari horses are also used at ceremonies (ICAR-NRCE).
- Foals. One at a time. Mares have their first foal at about 55 months, or 4.5 years (NBAGR database).
Where it comes from
The breed takes its name from Kathiawar and is native to the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. NBAGR's breed record names Surendranagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Amreli districts, and notes Kathiawari horses in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana too (NBAGR database). NBAGR suggests the breed may carry Arab blood and that of dun-coloured Mongolian horses (NBAGR database), while NRCE traces it to the wild horses of Kathiawar and Arab horses (ICAR-NRCE).
The 2013 breed survey counted 57,112 Kathiawari horses (NBAGR database), and NBAGR's 2022 Breed Watchlist puts the breed in its "not at risk" group (Breed Watchlist).
Looking for Kathiawari horses?
Kattutharai works across India. Search “Kathiawari” in the app to look for Kathiawari horses, or browse horses for sale near you. The seller names the breed and Kattutharai does not check it, so look at the horse yourself before you pay.
Rearing tips
- Care and training. In its home area, the Kathiawari is kept in stables on fodder and concentrate, with great care and regular training (NBAGR database).
- Stable, feed and hooves. Give a dry, airy stable, good fodder, clean water at all times and regular hoof care: see how horses are kept.
- Health. Vaccinate with your vet, and keep a newly bought horse apart from your others for the first weeks: see keep horses healthy.
Buying tips
- Check the signs: small ears with overlapping tips, a broad forehead bulging above the eyes, a dished face, a brown stripe along the spine and a long, curly mane and tail (NBAGR database).
- Kathiawari or Marwari? Both have inward-curving ears. NRCE notes that the Kathiawari has smaller, narrower ears, a broad forehead, a shorter face and back and a concave profile, while the Marwari is taller, with longer ears and a convex nose line (ICAR-NRCE). See Marwari horse: breed, height and how to recognise it.
- True animals take checking. NRCE warns that India's native horse breeds are losing quality for lack of planned breeding (ICAR-NRCE). The breed name in an ad is the seller's word, and Kattutharai does not check it. Ask about the parents, and check the horse yourself.
- Age, soundness and papers: read the teeth, have a vet check the horse, and get the papers your state asks for: see buying a horse.
- Pay safely. Never pay an advance for a horse you have not seen: see paying safely.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is a Kathiawari horse?
About 151 cm at the withers for a stallion and 148 cm for a mare on average; stallions weigh about 337 kg and mares about 321 kg (NBAGR database).
What is the rewal gait?
It is the special gait the Kathiawari is famous for (NBAGR database). Before you buy, ask the seller to show the horse moving under a rider.
How can I tell a Kathiawari from a Marwari?
Look at the head: the Kathiawari has smaller ears, a broad forehead and a dished face, while the Marwari is taller, with longer ears and a convex nose line (ICAR-NRCE).
Is a Kathiawari good for a first-time owner?
It can be, if you buy a calm, trained horse and learn from an experienced rider. In its home area it is kept with close care and regular training (NBAGR database).
Next
Compare the Kathiawari with the Marwari of Rajasthan. Read Horse rearing in South India: care, buying and health for care, buying and health, and browse horses for sale.