Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2021; 9(2): 1326-1331 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 Ponies and their socio-economic importance in www.entomoljournal.com JEZS 2021; 9(2): 1326-1331 North-East India: An overview © 2021 JEZS Received: 01-01-2021 Accepted: 05-02-2021 Dibyajyoti Talukdar, Sourabh Deori, Ningthoukhongjam Linda, Dibyajyoti Talukdar Athokpam Donin Luwang and Papori Talukdar Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Abstract College of Veterinary Sciences In India, six different breeds of horses are available. Out of that Manipuri and Bhutia are the only breeds and Animal Husbandry of equines which are found in the North-Eastern region of India. They are having light head with a Central Agricultural University, straight profile, set on a well-formed neck, well muscled shoulders, chest and loin. Manipuri ponies are Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India distributed in small number throughout the home tract of Manipur. Bhutia breed is a breed of small mountain horse from Sikkim distributed in state of Sikkim, northern parts and in the district of Sourabh Deori Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh. For centuries the Manipuri breed has been playing an important crucial Scientist, Division of Animal role within the society of Manipuri by its socio-cultural association. It is rightly regarded as original polo Health Division of Livestock Production, ICAR- Research pony as the modern polo is derived from the traditional Sagol Kangjei of Manipur. Due to urbanization, Complex for NEH Region there is lack of grazing land and the natural habitat become destroyed; which is one of key factor for the Umiam, Meghalaya, India declining the pony population. Scientific feeding and management of ponies will help to save the animals from extinct. Ningthoukhongjam Linda Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Keywords: ponies, North-East India, habitat, population, conservation Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics Introduction College of Veterinary Sciences [1] and Animal Husbandry According to NBAGR , there are seven different breeds of horses in India, viz., Marwari, Central Agricultural University, Kathiawari, Manipuri, Zanskari, Bhutia, Spiti and Kachchhi-Sindhi. These breeds are distinct Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India for their adaptation to different agro climatic regions but also due to their unique performance. All the four Indian breeds except Marwari Kathiawari and Kachchhi-Sindhi are called ponies Athokpam Donin Luwang for their small size [2]. The Manipuri (INDIA_HORSE_1200_MANIPURI_07003) and Bhutia M.V.Sc. Scholar, Department of Animal Reproduction, (INDIA_HORSE_2223_BHUTIA_07005) are the only breeds of equines which are found in Gynaecology & Obstetrics the North-Eastern region of India. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has College of Veterinary Sciences regarded Manipuri pony breed as “one of the purest and prestigious breed of equines in India” and Animal Husbandry [3]. Central Agricultural University, In a genetic based study on analysis of microsatellite DNA, conducted among the different Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India breeds of equines in the year 2007, it was found that Manipuri pony and other Indian pony Papori Talukdar breeds (Spiti, Bhutia and Zanskari) are genetically close and are distant genetically from the Assistant Professor, Department Marwari breed. None of the breeds (Manipuri, Spiti, Bhutia and Zanskari) were found to be of Animal Nutrition College of closely associated genetically with the thoroughbred. The physical differences among the Veterinary Science, Assam breeds were attributed to different ancesters. The Marwari horse is closely associated with the Agricultural University Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, Arabian breeds, whereas the four other breeds (Manipuri, Spiti, Bhutia and Zanskari) are [3] India thought to have been descended from the Tibetan pony . The Manipuri pony is known for its fastness, intelligence, surefooted moves and high endurance and is referred to as the only living original polo pony [4]. Out of various Indian breeds of horse, the Manipuri Pony has been bred over centuries in Manipur of North-East India and is an indissoluble part of the history of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur. They were referred and mentioned in most of the general literatures on equines and the breed is Corresponding Author: believed to be the descendant of Asian wild horses possibly developed either from the Tibetan Dibyajyoti Talukdar Pony or a cross between the Mongolian wild horse and the Arabian thorough breed. The state Assistant Professor, Department is the birth place of the game of Polo which is also known as Sagol Kangjei in local dialect of Animal Reproduction, [2] Gynaecology and Obstetrics (literally translated into English as hockey on horseback) . The state government of Manipur College of Veterinary Sciences has declared Sagol Kangjei as state game. Manipuri ponies were used as cavalry horses and Animal Husbandry throughout the 17th and 18th centuries [3]. It has close association with the socio-economic life Central Agricultural University, of the people of hilly region through travel, transport and hunting. Some of the physical Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India characteristics of Manipuri ponies are that they have light head with a straight profile, set on a ~ 1326 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies http://www.entomoljournal.com well-formed neck, well muscled shoulders, chest, loin. (1 hand = 4 inches=10cm, 44 to 52 inches, 112 to 132 cm) in Sloping croups, strong closed hooves (shoeing is unknown for height [5]. The body measurements of Manipuri pony are this in Manipur) with sturdy legs and well-proportionate to depicted in Table 1. The breed is available in 14 different the body enables this breed in excelling games and other colours viz. bay, chestnut, grey, mora white, leiphon white, activities that requires adequate stamina and endurance. The sinai white, stocking, liver chestnut, roan light gray, reddish Manipuris grew with the ponies and is reflected with the brown and dark bay [6]. The adult body weight generally socio-cultural through well defined history and creation of ranges between 441 to 450 pounds (200.034 kg to 204.117 mankind, where this breed played a role defining emotional kg) which is 584 pounds lighter than the average horse breed and spiritual passage between a man and a horse since time [7]. All the horses are very quick and manoeuvrable. immemorial. Manipuri ponies generally stand 11 to 13 hands Table 1: Body measurements of Manipuri pony [8] Trait Male (cm) Female (cm) Overall (cm) Face length 48.33 ± 0.33 49.00 ± 0.38 48.46 ± 1.04 Ear length 15.54 ± 0.16 15.43 ± 0.19 15.47 ± 1.26 Neck length 51.98 ± 0.44 51.97 ± 0.52 51.86 ± 2.82 Height at wither 129.69 ± 0.79 128.267 ± 0.59 128.85 ± 3.25 Body length 131 ± 0.79 129.8 ± 0.93 130.5 Chest length 145.95 ± 0.97 143 ± 1.15 143.62 Tail length 41.00 ± 0.43 43.17 ± 0.51 41.65 The Bhutia breed is a breed of small mountain horse from are main feature of Bhutia horses which are coarse & hairy. Sikkim distributed in state of Sikkim, northern parts and in There hooves are open at the heels. The usual coat colours of the district of Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh. The breed Bhutia breed is bay and grey. Bhutia horses are mainly used was found genetically similar to other pony breeds found in for riding and for carrying loads. The male animal stands 145 India and also have similarities with Mongolian and Tibetan cm in height and mares are 125 cm in height and body weight pony/ horse breeds. The breed is locally known as Bhotia, ranges between 260-345 kgs. Bhutani, Bhutan Pony, Bhote ghoda in Sikkim. As mentioned The temperament of Bhutia horses are very good, they remain in the Wikipedia, they have large head, small eyes and ears, quite normally and no noises were made such. The said breed straight shoulder, deep chest, strong legs, short and muscular have the will to do hard work and they are very much adapted neck and have powerful hindquarters. The neck is short and with the cold climate of mountains and rough lands or terrain, thick and their jaw is pronounced. Bhutia horse has straight however it finds difficult for them to endure temperature and profile and low withers, sloping quarters, deep chest and warmth of flats. straight shoulders. The tail is well set and short. Strong legs [7] A. Bhutia Pony B. Manipuri Pony C & D. Rearing of Manipuri Ponies Fig 1: Ponies of North-Eastern region of India ~ 1327 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies http://www.entomoljournal.com Habitat and Geographical distribution single horse was recorded in urban areas. Among the Indian breeds, the Manipuri Pony has been bred over centuries in Manipur in North-East India and is an Management system inseparable part of the history of the erstwhile kingdom of The pony breeders of Manipur rear this animal in semi- Manipur [3]. They were referred and mentioned in most of the intensive till today. Traditionally, ponies are left in the open general literatures on equines and the breed is believed to be herds and are mostly found to be grazing at marshy areas such the descendant of Asian wild horses possibly developed either as lakes or fields where there are fresh grasses are available. from the Tibetan Pony or a cross between the Mongolian wild When services are in demand, say for polo, umang lai horse and the Arabian thorough breed. The state is the birth haraoba (festival of forest deity), equestrian etc. ponies which place of the game of Polo which is also known as Sagol are from around three to ten years of age are caught from the Kangjei in local dialect (literally translated into English as lake and open range and kept in the paddock of farm or stable hockey on horseback).