Manipuri Pony – Re-Integration Into Polo
The Manipuri Pony is a traditional breed of small horse native to the states of Assam andManipur. Known as the Manipuri, the Pony is a native of the northeastern states and has appeared in history and mythology throughout the region. In ancient times, the Pony was used in warfare and polo. Its resurgence in popularity is a result of efforts to bring this equine back to its native regions.
Manipuri Pony’s ancestor
The Manipuri Pony is closely related to the Batak, Sumba, and Burmese Ponies. They are between 10 and 13 hands tall and have a distinctive wedge-shaped head with alert ears, a broad muzzle, and a thick mane. Their bodies are compact, with well-sprung ribs, muscular quarters, and a low action. However, there are several notable differences between these breeds.
The Manipuri Pony is a breed of small, hardy, and muscular horse, and is considered an ancestor of the Arabian and Mongolian wild horses. The pony’s short legs and sturdy build make it a useful military and polo horse. Although its exact origin remains a mystery, many people believe the breed was created by crossing two wild horse species, the Mongolian and the Tibetan. Historically, the Manipuri Pony was bred in the northeastern part of India. The Manipuri pony was first recorded in the 1584 Royal Chronicle, and was later referenced in Manipuri literature.
The history of the Manipuri Pony goes back to the 1470s, when Khagemba was born at Kabaw Kyangkhampat. His cavalry career reaches its apex with the sack of Sagaing by the Garibniwaz in 1738, and ends with the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826. The story of Khagemba’s equine experience begins in Bengal where he fought the Muslim mercenaries who were in the service of the Cachar king. Khagemba and the Sandang were forced to settle in Manipur and became a symbol of the high potential of the Pony.
The Manipuri pony is a very distantly related breed of horse. However, genetic studies have revealed that it shares genes with all other Indian breeds except the Marwari horse. Therefore, genetic studies using the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region have been a useful tool in understanding the origins of the domestic horse, as well as the relationships among breeds around the world. Researchers studied the Manipuri pony’s maternal lineages by comparing them to other Indian breeds, including the Marwari and the Sumba horse.
In addition to the polo sport, the Manipuri Pony also has other uses. It was used for the entire Manipuri version of the sport. During King Mangyamba’s reign in the late 16th century, it was introduced to horse racing. Maharaja Churachand introduced Tape Chongba, a version of the British steeplechase. In the early twentieth century, the Manipuri Pony was also used in polo.
Its re-integration into polo
With a growing number of polo fans across the world, the Manipuri Pony’s re-integration into polo is getting a new lease on life. The state of Manipur was once home to thousands of ponies, but urbanization has decimated their numbers. Now, the state is trying to save the sacred animals by re-integrating them into the sport.
In the midst of this challenge, the state government and NGOs have been working to save the species. A government-appointed veterinary and commerce minister, Govindas Konthoujam wears a white tunic with a red stripe. His moustache is charcoal, and he wears two golden rings and three smart phones. In an attempt to save the pony, he has lobbied the state government and convinced officials to adopt a policy that will preserve the breed’s survival. He is launching a 10-point program to protect the species from extinction.
The state government is bringing back the Manipuri Pony to the game by providing food, clean water, and a place for the animals to roam. The state government hopes to reintroduce polo to the state’s equestrian culture, and the Manipuri Pony is a key component of it. With a thriving social enterprise, Huntre! Equine is dedicated to saving this unique equestrian animal. The book features articles written by equestrians working to preserve Manipur’s sacred pony.
In the United States, the Manipuri pony is a popular equestrian animal and a growing number of players have chosen to rescue these animals. The USPA, through a partnership with Manipur, has introduced goal-handicapped polo and women’s polo, and has worked with the state to promote equestrian sports. The state’s government is also re-integrating the Manipuri pony into polo, with the goal of ensuring that Manipuri ponies can play alongside the men.
The Manipuri Pony is critically endangered. In the United States alone, around 500 Manipur ponies remain, but their numbers are decreasing at a rapid rate. Conservation efforts have led to the re-integration of the pony into the sport, as a number of polo tournaments in the state now require the use of the Manipuri Pony.
Its decline due to urbanisation
The number of Manipuri ponies has been on the decline for decades. There are only around 500 left in the state, and the majority of them are malnourished, skinny, and red-eyed. Their grazing grounds have been reduced by urbanisation, and they have few places to practice the ancient sport. Fortunately, there is a new plan to save the Manipuri pony from extinction: scientific feeding.
The loss of grazing grounds and a lack of investment is two of the major factors contributing to the decline of the Manipuri pony population. Another reason is smuggling. The Manipuri pony is sought after in Myanmar and neighboring states as a horse tonga. Sadly, many of the pony’s owners earn their livelihood through other sources. They must pay R500 to municipal officials each time their animals are detained.
With these problems in mind, the BBRC has started a PROJECT to save the Manipuri pony. The project’s aim is to reverse the decline of this iconic breed through ecological conservation, economic sustainability, and respect for the horse’s heritage and culture. The initiative is being run by local Manipuri horse enthusiasts. If you are interested in preserving this endangered species, you can learn more about the project here:
Today, Manipur is home to one of the world’s most celebrated polo tournaments. International participants include England, Canada, Argentina, Morocco, India, and the U.S. The polo tournament has brought the Manipuri Pony into the limelight, and the upcoming national championship is a big opportunity to revive the breed. This is an exciting time for Manipur, and we hope to see more of them in the future.
As a custodian of the Manipuri Pony, Roy is also an advocate for the preservation of traditional culture. He brought international attention to the game and helped build the Sagol Kangjei (Manipuri polo) stadium. This equestrian sport is not just a rich man’s game – many village-level players still use the Manipuri Pony for polo games. The main tournaments are played on three traditional polo grounds in the city. The Manung Kangjeibung is the inner polo ground, which is only open to royalty, while the Mapan Kangjeibung is the outer polo ground, which is used for public games.
Its re-integration into equestrian sports
The Manipuri Pony was once revered for its strength and ability to fight. The ponies were primarily used for ceremonial rituals and were not commonly used as pack animals. The state government attempted to establish pony preserves but failed when funding ran out. The government has since been in conflict with farmers who cultivate land for the preserves over compensation amounts. The continuing dispute raises questions about the need for the ponies in the region.
Today, the Manipuri Pony is a symbol of the culture of the state of Manipur, which is the birthplace of modern polo. The breed is also valuable for cultural and religious purposes, and there are fewer places in Manipur to practice polo due to urbanization. In the near future, the Manipuri pony’s re-integration into equestrian sports may be a long-term solution.
The Imphal government’s policy on the pony’s re-integration into polo and other equestrian sports includes a 300-acre sanctuary, a multidisciplinary board of pony experts, a national equestrian research center, and an allowance program for owners of the remaining ponies. Despite its successes and failures, the Manipuri Pony is a symbol of equestrian heritage that should be celebrated.
The Manipuri Pony is an endangered breed, living in semi-wild conditions in Manipur. Habitat loss causes Ponies to resort to contaminated food and water sources, and road accidents a large part of the pony’s population. In 1859, British tea planters were impressed by the royalties playing polo in Cachar and founded the first polo club in Silchar.
The Manipuri Pony is an ancient breed of horse native to India. In ancient times, Manipur was an independent kingdom rival to the Kingdom of Ava in present-day Myanmar. It was a great place for the Cavalry to train, and their skills were valued by the British. It was an independent state until 1819 when it was occupied by the Burmese.
A recent study of genetic differences between Indian and Manipuri breeds has shed light on their ancestry. Although the Manipuri Pony’s ancestors may be ancient, their mtDNA is diverse, with seven major mtDNA haplogroups identified. This indicates that Manipuri breeds may have multiple origins.
