With a view to promoting charm of horse keeping, the Anand Agriculture University is all set to host Swarnim Gujarat Major Horse show from 2nd to 4th January 2011. First of its kind in Anand, it is likely to display around 350 horses of Kathiyawadi and Marwari breed from Saurashtra-North Gujarat and Central Gujarat, which also includes 70 to 80 police horses. Large many horse racing, galling and dancing competition are on anvil.

Best specimen of horse breed would be on display, which is judged by its height, face, marking, ear, mane, tale, and its potential as race horse. Normally the Arabian breed horses are good for racing. Horse can cover 15 to 20 k.m of distance at a stretch, at the speed of 40 to 50 k.m per hour. We have many other means of transport today, so horse keeping has remained limited up to racing and fancy purposes. People are also involved in horse keeping considering it as a status symbol.

Horse should be kept in best possible environment. They need to be taken out regularly for exercise; otherwise horse faces problems like obesity and joint swelling. Having a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, horses are considered to be longer day breeders, i.e. horses are chiefly summer breeders, pregnancy period is around 340 days, Dr. J.V. Solanki adds that in our country natural breeding methods are adopted, but .semen bank is available in foreign countries. Horse is 100 percent vegetarian. The power of machine is measured in the unit of horse-power (H.P) which indicates the potentiality and power of the horse.

Principal and Dean, Anand Veterinary College, Dr. J.V. Solanki has informed that horse needs to be de-warmed at regular intervals. Horse has having 180 degree vision; horse is the only animal which can see behind. Full grown horse eats around 15 to 20 k.g of green grass, plus sore gum and Gotar of Ground Nut. Organisers have planned to release Horse Management Booklet and technical bulletin during the show. On 3rd of January, they are hosting a cultural event which includes a Lok -Dayaro too.

The star, strip and snip on the head add beauty of the horse. The Panch-Kalyani horse has five white markings- that include one mark on the head and white marks on all the legs. The Devmani breed has whirls on their mane. According to legend, the 36 whirl pattern (circular hair patterns) may be found on horse’s body, which was considered as good and bad omen. Horse can also rotate its ear in circular motion, adds Dr Jignesh Vadaliya.

In India, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and many other states are known for horse keeping. In Europe, South America and Middle East people keep horse for hobby and as a symbol of status. It is said that the most precious horse- Fazal is pure Arabian horse, a rare breed with very high potential- is with the king of UAE. However, no horse in the world can run Rewal Chal (it is the running pattern of horse causing little strain to the rider) except the Kathiyawadi horses.

History is replete with the incidences’ of horse’s faithfulness to his master. The Chetak of Maharana Pratap, Manki Ghodi of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Liludi Ghodi of Kadu Makarani and Jadpo horse of Ra-Navghan (the king of Junagadh) are known for their war potential and faithfulness. The Ashtha Mangal, Devmani, and Panch Kalyani breed horses are praised for their qualities and faithfulness by our poets in folk literature. Dr. Solanki has invited all to watch the Major Horse Show.