Status and conservation of equine biodiversity in India

India is bestowed with precious equine germplasm and equines have contributed significantly in the development of human race from the time immemorial. India possesses about 0.54 million equines as per 2019 livestock census. Major population of equids comprising of donkey, mule, horse and ponies provide livelihood to the rural and semi-urban societies. There are seven registered horse breeds i.e. Marwari, Kathiawari, Kachchhi-Sindhi, Spiti, Zanskari, Bhutia and Manipuri and three registered breeds of donkeys, namely Spiti, Halari and Kachchhi. The management of genetic diversity is a major factor of any program of preserving species and breeds to protect genetic resources of animals. Therefore, it is important that breeds of horse and donkey are preserved and conserved both in-situ and ex-situ especially in view of their reducing populations in India.