Recently I came across another breed that’s not very common or known. The Marwari horse with curled ears. Like a crown😉
Are they related to our AT? What is the thought about this breed? They have stud farms in India where they are adored by locals and high class. Just curious to hear about them
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Great question!
The Marwari is another beautiful, noble breed developed in the Mawar region of India. Turkoman horse blood highly influenced early development of the breed, especially during the invasion of Mughal invaders during the 1500s. They are also thought to have been influenced during Mongolian occupations. They are very similar with overlap in history and region with the Kathiawari horse (who also has the unique curved ears), but the Marwari horse has very little Arabian influence by comparison. Yet they are also highly adapted for harsh environmental conditions like the Arabian and Turkoman.
They were used in mounted warfare in similar ways to the use of the Turkoman, pitted in the heat of combat to carry and defend their warrior riders. They have powerful hinds and good agility, allowing them to stand and strike out under saddle against enemies. Even today they can often be seen performing some of these wartime maneuvers at breed demonstrations and displays. They are fiercely loyal and brave horses.
The breed underwent a major decline during British control of India. As it recovered the breed was permitted to be exported for a brief period in the early 2000s, but since I believe its export has been re-banned to protect its numbers. It seems there are less than 5,000 left and they are designated as an endangered breed like the Akhal-Teke.
So yes, they are a descendant of Turkoman horses and many of the characteristics shine through still today! Hope this satisfies some of your curiosity. 
Thank you so very much for the detailed information about the Marwari breed! It’s amazingly how many breeds are still so unknown and undiscovered while they have such great potential and quality and served the human so well during wartime back in the days. And nowadays should be used for(in)breeding because their great fysiek quality shouldn’t be lost either! Because 5000 isn’t a lot. I find it a bad idea to focus only at KPWN and other well known kind of breeding horses in the preforming sports today. There should be much more diversity in the equestrian world. Now a group of people with big money setting the tone and rules. I hope some day that it will change
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I hope to see a shift to more inclusion and diversity within the horse world too!