- Indian Half-bred -

The Indian Half-Bred was developed in India primarily at the army studs to produce suitable cavalry horses.  They are descended from a cross between the native Kathiawari, oriental stock, the Australian Waler, and substantial amount of English Thoroughbred. Around the beginning of the 20th century, large numbers of Walers were imported to India for use within the Indian Cavalry, and remained the principal method of transport until the start of mechanization. The army had used mostly Arabian and Arabian part-bred stock for their requirements, but had then started to import the larger and more suitable Australian Waler as replacements.

The Half-bred is now produced all over India, especially at the army remount depot at Saharanpur and army stud at Baburgarh. As well as for use within the army, the Half-bred is also widely used by the police force in the towns and especially in the rural areas. There are an increasing number of horses being used in civilian riding clubs, and in more competitions, at which the Half-bred does very well. India is not the ideal horse breeding country because the climate is extremely harsh and the soils and grasses poor. These factors have, in part, led to the tough and hardy nature of the Half-bred, which has evolved to cope with both the climate and the food, or lack thereof. They can vary quite a lot in physical characteristics and generally those bred at the army studs have better conformation.

They are, on the whole, however, excellent horses of some quality and substance, with exceptionally calm and willing temperaments. In appearance, they are mostly attractive horses which clearly show the influence of the Thoroughbred. They have quality heads with a kind eye and alert ears. Sometimes the ears will curve in toward each other, which is a throwback to their Kathiawari genes. The neck is of good length and muscular, the shoulder nicely sloping and ideal for a riding horse, although poor examples of the breed will be upright in the shoulder. They should be deep through the chest, which can be quite narrow, have a fairly straight and long back, rounded hindquarters and good, well-made, strong legs. They can be any color, and stand between 15 and 16 hh.

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