Himachal’s Chamurthi Horse Take Center Stage at Historic Lavi Fair
The legendary Chamurthi horse, a hardy native of Himachal’s high-altitude deserts, is ready to trot into the spotlight. In a first, the upcoming International Lavi Fair in Rampur will showcase this unique breed to horse breeders from across North India, hoping to share a piece of the state’s heritage.
Driven by the district administration, invitations have been sent out to equine enthusiasts and breeders in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
“The Lavi Fair isn’t just a fair; it’s a living tradition centuries old, and the Chamurthi horse has always been its crown jewel,” said Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap. “We want breeders from the plains to see for themselves what makes this mountain breed so special. They can experience its strength and resilience up close, and if they fall in love, they can even take one home.”
More Than Just a Horse: A Living Legend
For generations in the snow-clad, remote valleys of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, the Chamurthi horse has been more than just an animal; it’s a lifeline. Revered as the ‘Ship of the Cold Desert,’ this sturdy breed is a testament to survival. Standing at a modest 12-14 hands, it possesses an almost mythical ability to endure temperatures as low as -30°C and work for long hours on little food.
Believed to have roamed these valleys since the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, the Chamurthi’s story began in the Tibetan plateau. Traders later brought them across the mountains, where they thrived in the harsh terrain. Today, they are one of India’s six recognized indigenous horse breeds, famed for their sure-footedness in deep snow.
A Fair with Flair: Races, Seminars, and Balloon Bursts
The horse exhibition, running from November 1 to 3, 2025, promises to be a vibrant affair. The event kicks off with horse registrations, followed by a seminar for breeders on November 2. The final day will see a flurry of excitement with the selection of the best horses, a playful balloon-bursting competition, and the thunderous thrill of 400m and 800m races, with winners being honored by a chief guest. In a thoughtful touch, the Animal Husbandry Department will provide free fodder to all participating horses.
A Breeding Success Story in Lari
The Chamurthi’s journey hasn’t been without peril. Once teetering on the brink of extinction, its future is now brighter thanks to a dedicated conservation effort. The Horse Breeding Centre established in Lari, Spiti, back in 2002, has been instrumental in this turnaround.
Nestled near the Spiti River, the centre has successfully boosted the population of this “heritage breed” from the edge of disappearance to a thriving community now numbering in the hundreds across Himachal.
A Deep-Rooted Culture with a Challenging Tradition
The horse’s history is deeply intertwined with Tibet, from where its ancestors, the wild horses of Chhumurti, originated. While the breed is now celebrated, its expansion faces a unique local challenge. In the Pin Valley, a belief that selling non-sterilized horses displeases the local deities means only sterilized horses are traditionally sold.
Animal experts note that this age-old custom, while respected, poses a challenge to broader breeding efforts. Yet, the community continues its own methods of breed selection, gathering new foals each spring to choose the finest specimen for future generations, ensuring the legacy of the magnificent Chamurthi horse continues to gallop forward.
