Indian Half-Bred

The Indian Half-Bred was developed in India primarily at the army studs to produce suitable cavalry horses. They are descended from a cross between the native Kathiawari, oriental stock, the Australian Waler and a substantial amount of English Thoroughbred. Around the beginning of the 20th century, large numbers of Walers were imported to India for use within the Indian Cavalry and remained the principal method of transport until the start of mechanisation. The army had used mostly Arabian, and Arab part-bred stock for their requirements, but had then started to import the larger and more suitable Australian Waler as replacements. The Half-Bred is now produced all over India especially at the army remount depot at Saharanpur and army stud at Babugarh. As well as in the army, the Indian Half-Bred is also widely used by the police force in the towns and especially in the rural areas. The Half-Bred can be any colour and stand between 15 and 16 hands high.

References

• Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies - by Tamsin Pickeral