Cross Sectional Study of Current Status of Equine Husbandry in Haryana, India

Abstract

Equines played pivotal role in past in terms of agriculture, war, peace, transportation etc but, nowadays governmental welfare activities are ignored so, their population is declining day by day. Government should pay much attention to this precious equine family in all aspects. The study was aimed to analyze current status of equine husbandry in Haryana, India. Total 303 randomly selected equine farmers were interviewed during January-March, 2022 in four districts viz; Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind and Rohtak.  It was observed that 24.8 per cent equine farmers reported scarcity of veterinary services, 11.8 per cent reported reluctances of staff at veterinary hospitals, 29.7 per cent reported that veterinary doctors expressed lack of expertise in providing treatment to equines, 44.6 per cent reported hiring of private services and 10.5 per cent reported application of ITK for treatment of ailing equines. As far as loan and insurance are concerned, 67.6 per cent reported lack of loan facilities while 70.3 per cent reported inadequate insurance facilities for equines. As far as breeding is concerned, 49 per cent reported non-availability of a good stallion, 55.1 per cent reported lack of Artificial Insemination facilities and 44.6 per cent reported hiring of a stallion for breeding of mares. Majority of respondents (94.4 per cent) reported non-availability of pasture land; 95 per cent reported nutritional issues, 76.6 per cent reported metabolic health problems and 81.2 per cent reported purchase of additional feed/fodder in absence of open air grazing. Despite above situation, equine husbandry has potential to improve livelihood of equine keepers where a good number {38.6 per cent (moderate) + 41.6 per cent (high level} reported help of their family members and 67 per cent wanted training in equine rearing.  A total of 42.8 per cent agreed that equine rearing is a profitable enterprise and 53.1 per cent wanted to continue with equine rearing. Finally it is concluded that equine rearing has immense potential as profitable enterprise and bright future in Haryana state.