Ponies and their socio-economic importance in North-East India: An overview

Abstract

In India, six different breeds of horses are available. Out of that Manipuri and Bhutia are the only breeds of equines which are found in the North-Eastern region of India. They are having light head with a straight profile, set on a well-formed neck, well muscled shoulders, chest and loin. Manipuri ponies are 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 Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh. For centuries the Manipuri breed has been playing an important crucial role within the society of Manipuri by its socio-cultural association. It is rightly regarded as original polo pony as the modern polo is derived from the traditional Sagol Kangjei of Manipur. Due to urbanization, there is lack of grazing land and the natural habitat become destroyed; which is one of key factor for the declining the pony population. Scientific feeding and management of ponies will help to save the animals from extinct.