干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Horses of Spiti breed, which are mainly available in Lahaul-Spiti, Kulu and Kinnaur districts in Himachal Pradesh have acquired some genetic traits, which have enabled these horses to thrive in cold desert condition such as scarcity of food, very low climate temperature (-45 degrees C) and longer journey at high altitude (Anon, 2000). At present, this breed of. horses is on the verge of extinction. Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, has opened a equine farm at Lari, Lahaul and Spiti district for the conversation and preservation of this breed. The aim of this study is to develope base line data on normal haematological and biochemical values of Spiti horses.