Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part B (2024)

Author(s): Saalom King Jose, Jeyakumar Mani and Jannathul Firthous Ibrahim

Abstract: India possesses valuable horse DNA, and horses have played a major role in the evolution of the human species since the beginning of time. India has approximately 0.54 million horses according to the 2019 livestock census. A significant number of equines, including horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys, support rural and semi-urban communities. Three registered donkey breeds namely Spatiti, Halari, and Kachchhi and seven registered horse breeds are Marwari, Kathiawari, Kachchhi-Sindhi, Spiti, Zanskari, Bhutia, and Manipuri are also recognized. A key component of any effort to preserve species and breeds and safeguard animal genetic resources is the management of genetic variation. Consequently, it's critical to maintain and conserve horse and donkey breeds both in-situ and out-of-situ, particularly in light of their declining numbers in India.