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| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
| Country of origin | India |
| Distribution | Zanskar valley ofLadakh |
| Standard | Indigenous Horse Society of India |
| Use | |
| Traits | |
| Height |
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| Colour | |
TheZaniskari orZanskari is abreed of small mountain horse orpony fromLadakh in northern India.[6] It is named for theZanskar valley or region inKargil district.[7] It is similar to theSpiti breed ofHimachal Pradesh, but is better adapted to work at high altitude.[8] Like the Spiti, it shows similarities to theTibetan breeds living on the other side of the Himalayas in neighbouring Tibet.[4]: 197 It is of medium size, and is oftengrey in colour. The breed is considered endangered, as there are only a few hundred alive today, and a conservation programme has been started atPadum, Zanskar, in theKargil district of Ladakh.
In 1977 the population of Zaniskari horses was estimated at15000–20000.[2] The breed was listed as "not at risk" by theFAO in 2007.[1]: 61 However, it has been endangered by indiscriminatecross-breeding with other horses and it is thought that only a few hundred pure-bred animals now remain, mainly in the valleys of Ladakh, including theZanskar Gorge from which the breed takes its name.[3] The Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir operates a farm atPadum, Zanskar, for thebreeding andconservation of the breed.[3] The population has declined rapidly due to mechanisation and to increases in the number of roads in its native area. However, the population did not in 2006 show signs of any significantgenetic bottleneck.[9]: 199
In 2013 there were approximately9700 of the horses. In 2022 theconservation status of the breed was listed inDAD-IS as "at risk/critical maintained", based on a reported population of346 animals.[2]
Agenetic analysis of five Indian horse breeds in 2007 found the Zaniskari to beclose to theManipuri,Spiti andBhutia breeds, and more distant from theMarwari.[10] A study of all six Indian breeds in 2014 grouped the Zaniskari with the Bhutia, Manipuri and Spiti breeds, and found it to be most closely related to the Spiti.[11]
The Zaniskari is strong, compact and well built, and is particularly adapted to work in thehypoxic environment of Ladakh.[7]: 60 Height is usually between 120 and 140 cm (12 and 14 h);[3]thoracic circumference is 140–150 cm (55–60 in) and body length about 95–115 cm (38–45 in). The most usualcoat colour isgrey;bay, brown,black andchestnut also occur.[6]
The Zaniskari is particularly adapted to work as apack animal in the high altitudes and challenging conditions of its native region, which lies between3000 and 5000 m above sea level, and where temperatures may reach−40 °C. It is strong and sure-footed, and has good stamina.[5]: 57 The Indian army in Ladakh uses it as a pack-beast. It is also used forriding and forpolo.[5]: 58
