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Zanskari

Equus ferus caballus

Zanskari pony in the high mountains of Ladakh
Photo: BasinField — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A cold-hardy mountain pony of Ladakh — sure-footed at high altitude, where it carries loads and people.

TypePonyBest asDraft & drivingOriginIndian native

How to spot it

A small, compact pony of about 11.3 to 13.2 hands (around 120 to 135 cm) with a thick coat for the cold, strong legs and hard feet. Grey is common, along with bay, black and brown.

Temperament

Calm, tough and dependable — the steady nature needed for narrow mountain tracks and thin air.

What it's bred for

Native to the Zanskar valley of Ladakh, it is a pack and riding pony built for high altitude, once used by mountain cavalry and still valued for trekking and polo in the region.

Care & upkeep

Exceptionally hardy in cold, high country and thrifty on sparse feed. Like the Manipuri it is a threatened breed, and conservation herds are maintained in India.

Health & lifespan

A hardy pony, generally around 20 to 25 years. The pressing concern is the breed's small, declining population.

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