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Spiti – the horse for Bhutan?

11 April 2009

horse1The national horse breeding programme in Batpalathang, Bumthang, is carrying out an intensive trial on a new breed of horse called spiti.

So far, 19 horses have been supplied on a trial basis to farmers from different ecological zones like Nabji Khorpu, Lower Kheng, Dovan and Lauri. Two males and two females were also supplied to the farmers of Chokortoe Gewog in Bumthang.

Dr Padam Gurung, the manager of the national horse and brown swiss cattle breeding programme, said, “Spiti looks quite promising but there needs authentication.”

First, 14 mares and 3 stallions were brought into the country from Himachal Pradesh, India, in 2000. Spiti horse is medium-sized and looks much like the local horses. It can carry a load of 70 to 80 kgs.

Horse population in Bhutan has been declining at a fast rate because of adarukha disease. This disease was first detected in Adarukha, Wangdue, hence the name adarukha. It is caused by the consumption of a purple plant called eupatorium adenophorum which causes swelling and bloating of stomach. The plant is supposed to have its origin in Mexico.

The disease is common in places like Trashigang, Pemagatshel, Shingkar Lauri, Dorokha, Sombaykha, Tsirang, Nabji Khorpu and Zhemgang

. Spitis took over haflinger, a hybrid horse from Austria, after haflinger was found unsuitable for the Bhutanese environment. Following a government order, the breeding and supply of haflinger was stopped and the remaining horses were castrated and auctioned to the farmers.

Haflinger horses first came to Bhutan in 1968 as a gift to the third Druk Gyalpo from the Austrian government. They were kept in Gogona, Wangdue, and put to work in a Swiss project farm.

Another batch of horses was imported in 1976 to improve the local breed.

Haflinger is an elegant looking horse which has its origin in the Southern Alps. Before stopping its breeding in the country, the cross breed horses were sent to Trashigang, Trashiyangtse and Wangdue.

Between 1997 and 1998, a survey found that farmers were not happy with haflinger horses because they were too large and not sure footed enough for the Bhutanese terrain. They were also found to be clumsy on narrow tracks because they were mainly used for pulling carts and logging purposes outside Bhutan.

The search for a suitable breed of horse for Bhutan went as far as Nepal until spiti was found to be most suitable for Bhutanese geography and climate for it came from the Hindukush region.

The only National Horse Breeding Programme in the country was started in 1987.

BY ESHORI GURUNG

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Posted by Chime · Filed Under Community, News 

Comments

3 Responses to “Spiti – the horse for Bhutan?”

  1. Jannaca Chick on September 19th, 2009 5:47 am

    I met Dr Gurung in Spiti in 2000 when he was there purchasing the Spiti horses. I am a Canadian woman who is hoping to contact Dr Gurung again. If there is any way you could put me in touch with him, I would very much appreciate it.

    Thank you, Jannaca

  2. Padam B. Gurung on May 11th, 2010 5:13 pm

    Dear madam,

    I remember meeting you. You can contact me at the above address for further information.

    Regards

    Dr. Padam Gurung.

  3. Padam B. Gurung on May 13th, 2010 6:49 pm

    Dear madam,

    You can contact me at gurungpb@live.com.

    Regards

    Padam

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