management in Rajasthan

Aim: To study the socio-economic status, horse feeding and management adopted by horse owners of Rajasthan. 
 
Materials and Methods: Primary data was collected through specially structured proforma by personal interview method 
from the horse owners of Hanumangarh (50), Churu (42), Jhunjhunu (30) and Jalore (40) districts of Rajasthan, India. 
 
Results: The district (Churu and Jhunjhunu) is mostly rain fed, Hanumangarh is canal-irrigated whereas Jalore is tube well 
irrigated. Majority of respondents engaged in horse rearing were of other backward class (OBC) & general category. Literacy (%) among the horse owners was more than 80% in Hanumangarh and Jhunjhunu districts, whereas it was less than 50% in Churu and Jalore districts. Majority of the respondents were maintaining other livestock along with the horses. The average dry roughages provided were 4.82±0.22, 8.143±0.348, 5.267±0.69 and 6.105±0.196kg per horse in Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu and Jalore, respectively. The average concentrate offered was 2.81±0.138, 2.452±0.145, 2.933±0.160 and 1.950±0.200kg per horse in Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu and Jalore, respectively. It was observed that horse owners were providing green fodder, dry roughages and concentrate depending up on the availability/production of these items in that region. Majority of horse owners were allowing covering of estrus mares between 3rd and 5th day of estrus. Paucity of quality stallions for covering the mares was observed throughout the area surveyed. The respondents had to pay between Rs. 1100/- to 5100/- as covering fee with no guarantee of conception. Most of mares were rebred during foal heat and majority of the respondents were not aware about the symptoms of estrus mare. Vaccination, insurance and use of disinfectants were not adopted in the study indicating the least awareness among the horse owners about the importance of vaccination, insurance and disinfectants. 
 
Conclusion: Horses were being maintained for ceremonial purposes and breeding, their feeding in terms of fodder (green & dry) and concentrate were observed area specific and were fulfilling the minimum nutrient requirements. There was paucity of true to breed stallions in the areas studied.


Introduction
Hence, the study was planned to know socio-economic status, horse feeding and management adopted by Horses are used as draught animals in many parts horse owners of Rajasthan, India. of world On the basis of their geographical localization; two breeds of horses (Marwari and Kathiawari) doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.470-475

Results and Discussion
one respondent was maintaining 55 horses for safari & breeding, otherwise the pattern of horse owning was Rajasthan is scattered over a large area and not different among various districts studied.Majority divided in nine agro-climatic zones [4].The desert state of the farmers of Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu and Jalore faces both the temperature extremes (winter and were maintaining Marwari horses only while in Churu summer).The district (Churu and Jhunjhunu) is mostly non-descript horses were more prevalent.Majority of rain fed (Transitional Plain of Inland Drainage), the respondents were also maintaining cattle, buffalo Hanumangarh is canal-irrigated (Irrigated Northand goats along with the horses.The interests of respondents Western Plains) whereas Jalore is tube-well irrigated in rearing other livestock in Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu (Transitional Plain of Luni Basin).Agricultural and Jalore may be due to sufficient feed and fodder farming and animal husbandry is the major source of resources as well as irrigation facilities.Pattern of income of the people of Rajasthan.Socio-economic maintaining other livestock was similar in Hanumanstatus and family inventories of respondents are garh, Jhunjhunu and Jalore.In Churu, only 76% of depicted in table 1. Majority of respondents engaged in respondents were maintaining other livestock that may horse rearing were of other backward class (OBC) & be due to scarcity of feed and fodder in the area.general category.Only a few people of minorities and Majority of the respondents of Churu, Jhunjhunu and scheduled castes were involved in this enterprise.
Jalore were using the mares for ceremonial purpose and Literacy (%) among the horse owners was more in earning between Rs 1100-3100 per ceremony whereas Hanumangarh (86%) and Jhunjhunu (80%) districts, horse owners of Hanumangarh were maintaining whereas it was low in Churu (43%) and Jalore (45%) horses mainly for breeding and riding purpose.districts.Family size of respondents was significantly (P<0.05)different among the districts studied.Family Feeding Management: The quantity of feed and fodder size was highest in Jalore and lowest in Jhunjhunu and offered to horses in four districts of Rajasthan are it was affected by literacy level of the owner.was fed in two equal instalments during morning and Land holding was higher in the districts where water evening hours.The respondents were supplying was available for irrigation indicting farmers were mineral mixture (46%), locally made masala (46%) taking keen interest in agriculture.
and mineral mixture+masala (8%) regularly to their Majority of the respondents were maintaining horses.The composition of traditional herbal mineral other livestock along with the horses.Mean herd size of combination adopted in north-western Rajasthan has horses ranged between 1.95 to 6.13 in different districts been reported [5].Majority of the respondents were studied.Mean horse strength of Jhunujhunu was offering feed additives in the form of ghee and or milk significantly higher than other areas studied because to their horses especially during winter.Out of these was significantly (P<0.05)different among the 42% were supplying ghee and milk both where as 28% districts.Concentrates were offered in largest quantity were supplying ghee only.
in Jhunjhunu, where as lowest in Jalore.Concentrate In Churu district, horse owners were supplying feeding to the horse was more in Jhunjhunu and Hanumangarh districts may be due to the awareness green fodder seasonally not regularly; groundnut among the owners about the nutritional requirements straw, moth straw and bajra karbi as dry roughage, of the horse as the literacy % among these districts was barley, gram, bajra (Pearl millets) and moth dal as high.It was observed during the survey that horse concentrate to the horses.The total concentrate was fed owners were providing green fodder, dry roughages in two equal instalments during morning and evening and concentrate depending up on the availability/ hours.The respondents were supplying mineral production of these items in that region.Hence, fodder mixture (15%), locally made masala (19%) and sendha (green & dry) and ingredients of the concentrate were and common salt (33%) regularly to their horses.Only observed area specific.It was also recorded that 48% respondents were offering feed additives (ghee chaffed green fodder and dry roughages were offered to and or milk) to the horses during winter only.
the horses in all the three area except Jalore where un-In Jhunjhunu district, horse owners were offering chaffed fodder/roughages were being offered.lucerne, oats, dub and jowar grass as green fodder, Possibilities of wastes of un-chaffed fodder are more.moth straw, wheat straw, bajra karbi and dry grasses as Hence, it must be avoided.It is well established that dry roughage, barley, gram, bajra and moth dal as farmers of Hanumangarh and Jhunjhunu are concentrate to the horses.The total concentrate was fed comparatively prosperous than the farmers of other in two equal instalments during morning and evening two areas and the same could be seen in pattern of hours.The respondents were supplying mineral feeding of horses, as high quantity of concentrate, feed mixture (47%), locally made masala (6%) regularly to additives (milk & ghee) and mineral mixture were the horses.Majority of the respondents (67%) were offered in Hanumangarh and Jhunjhunu regions.offering feed additives (ghee or milk) to the horses Literacy among the horse owners of Hanumangarh and during winter & pregnancy.
Jhunjhunu was also higher that could be another reason In Jalore district, horse owners were providing of adoption of feed, fodder and other practices.lucerne, mansa grass and dub grass as green fodder, Average body weight of a Marwari mare is around bajra and jowar karbi (un-chaffed) as dry roughage, 350 Kg.While considering moisture 90% in green and bajra as concentrate to the horses.The total fodder and 10% in concentrates and dry roughage.The concentrate was fed to the horses in the morning only.
dry matter intake (DMI) in mares at Hanumangarh Majority of the respondents were not supplying district was 2.44% of body weight consisting 0.72% mineral mixture, but common salt was being offered concentrate, 1.24% dry roughage, and 1.64% green occasionally to their horses.One respondent was fodder.The DMI in mares at Churu district was 2.83% occasionally supplying Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schr.
of body weight consisting 0.63% concentrate, 2.08% (tumba) to each horse as an appetizer and dewormer.
dry roughage, and 0.12% green fodder.The DMI in Majority of the respondents were not offering any feed mares at Jhunjhunu district was 2.25% of body weight additive, only 10% were supplying mustard oil during consisting 0.0.75% concentrate, 1.35% dry roughage, winter season.and 0.15% green fodder.The DMI in mares at Jalore The average green fodder offered to the horses district was 2.26% of body weight consisting 0.5% was highest in Hanumangarh and lowest in Jhunjhunu concentrate, 1.5% dry roughage, and 0.20% green district but in Churu it was provided during rainy fodder.season only.Green fodder feeding to the horses was The total DMI in Marwari horses in Rajasthan is significantly (P<0.05)different among the districts.
ranging from 2.25% to 2.83%.DMI in Marwari horses Horses of Hanumangarh area were being provided in field conditions was similar to the National highest quantity of green fodder due to ample Research Council (NRC) recommendation of 2 to 2.5% availability in the region; whereas in Churu they were of their body weight in dry matter [6].However, in being offered least quantity and that too seasonally Churu district DMI was 2.83% of body weight, it may only might be due to least availability of green fodder be due to comparatively high intake of dry roughage due to scarcity of irrigation facilities in the region.Dry due to less availability of nutritive green fodder and fodder feeding to the horses was significantly (P<0.05)concentrate.Surveyed equines were apparently different among the districts and it was highest in healthy and no major health problems related to Churu and lowest in Hanumangarh district.The possible nutritional deficiency was noticed so it may be reason of low supply of roughages in Hanumangarh concluded that current nutritional practices in these might be highest supply of green fodder and the animal areas is providing the required protein, energy and was fulfilling the dry matter requirements from the minerals sufficiently.green fodder, whereas in Churu region the green fodder supply was negligible and all the dry matter Housing Management: Housing management adopted requirements of the horse were met through the dry in four districts of Rajasthan is depicted in floor to the horses.Horse is very sensitive animal; no respondent was maintaining stallion.They were benefits of rearing of horses on kutchcha floor are well fully dependent on the outside stallions for breeding established.Pucca floor is a major cause of laminitis in their mares that comes from other areas i.e Haryana, horses.Majority of respondents of the area surveyed Punjab during breeding season of mares.The have erected roof of stables either on pucca walls or respondents had to pay between Rs. 1100/-to 5100/-as pillars.Roof of stables was pucca in Hanumangarh covering fee with no guarantee of conception.Stallion area where as in other areas studied the availability of generally moves in 15-20 KM radius for covering of thatch roof was more common.However, some of the mares for 2-3 days.The mares available in heat period farmers provided tin and asbestos roof to their horses were being covered without keeping attention of day of which is comparatively un-comfortable during harsh heat.Due to the over use of stallion, conception rate environmental conditions.It was reported that 44% of was reported very low.All the three areas where mule producers of Haryana, Uttrakhand and UP provide stallions were available the mares were not covered rd kutchcha thatch shed to their equines [7].Majority of before day 3 of estrus.But in Churu, 10% horse horses were provided with pucca manger in the area owners were getting mares covered even on second day studied except Churu district where wooden mangers of heat.The mares remain in estrus for a long period were common.The wooden manger could be shifted and ovulation takes place before the end of estrus [8].from one place to another depending upon the need and Hence, mares should be got covered keeping in view they are easy to clean.Majority of respondents were the stage of estrus not as per the availability of stallions.offering water to the horse in buckets in most of the During the survey it was observed that most of the areas studied except Hanumangarh where pucca water owners get their mares covered on two consecutive rd th th th troughs were provided for watering that was common days i.e. 3 and 4 or 4 and 5 which may not be for all the livestock they were maintaining.Location of scientifically correct as stallion spermatozoa remain manure pit was at distant place in majority of the cases viable for 36-48 hours in mare's reproductive tract [9].studied.The respondents were using horse dung for Hence, mares must be covered on alternate days from compost preparation by mixing it with the dung of th day 4 onwards till the mare remains in estrus.Age at other livestock.No other utility of dung was reported first covering was reported as 31 months by most of the by the respondents.In veterinary practices use of respondents which is before the mare becomes adult disinfectants is recommended as these play significant indicating that equine owners breed their mares before role in controlling infection and leads to good health.
the optimum breeding age.Most of the respondents Respondents (12%) of Hanumangarh only were using were getting their mares covered 2-4 coverings per disinfectants in the stables indicating the least awareness cycle.Most of mares were rebred during foal heat only.among the horse owners about the importance of Majority of the respondents were not aware about the disinfectants.
symptoms of estrus mare.Majority of respondents Breeding and health management: Table-4 depicts the were regularly grooming their horses and also caring breeding and health management practice adopted in hooves of their horses regularly.Practice of hair four districts of Rajasthan.There was paucity of quality clipping was not reported by the respondents but they stallions throughout the area surveyed.Only 15-20% were clipping the hairs of mane only.Shoeing was respondents of Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu and Jalore common in stallions and the mares being used for were rearing stallions for covering whereas in Churu ceremonial purpose.At present the equine breeding services in the were well satisfied with the services of veterinary form of superior Marwari stallions and artificial hospital and the free supply of veterinary medicines insemination (AI) facilities at the field level are not they received for their horses [15].Insurance of available.Although, the technique of stallion semen livestock including horses is must to protect the horse freezing for laboratory and farmers' door has been owners against livestock losses.But, none of the standardized [10-13] but extension efforts need to be respondent responded that they were adopting strengthened as to make equine owners aware about the insurance of their horses due to one or another reason.merits of use of AI in mares and Animal Husbandry Similar observations were also reported in equines Department of State Government should also take from other states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, initiative for AI in equines by getting their veterinarians Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh [6,15].trained through National Research Centre on Equines

Conclusion (NRCE). The technique could be utilized for providing
Horses were being maintained for ceremonial the superior quality frozen semen to the owners and it purposes and breeding, their feeding in terms of fodder will also help in conserving the true to breed stallions of (green & dry) and concentrate were observed area any breed and the frozen semen could be used for AI.specific and were fulfilling the minimum nutrient Colostrum provides passive immunity against requirements.There was paucity of true to breed various diseases during neonatal period [14].Most of stallions in the areas studied.the equine owners feed the colostrums to the foal within one hour of foaling.Average age of foal at

Table - 1
. Socio-economic status and family inventories of respondents

Table - 2
. The quantity of feed and fodder offered to horses in Rajasthan

Table - 3
. Housing management of horse in four districts of Rajasthan