Bhutia and Spiti Pony
The Bhutia Pony, also know as, Bhote ghoda, Bhutan Pony, Bhutani, or Bhutua Pony is found in Nepal, Bhutan and the Sikkim and Darjeeling regions of India. They are a riding and pack animal, similar to the Tibetan Pony but less broad. They are most often white (gray) or bay in coloration.
The Bhutia and Spiti are very similar and originate in the Himalaya region of India. The native Tibetan pony also shares very similar characteristics with both the Bhutia and Spiti, probably as a result of interbreeding between the three breeds over the years, and it is not uncommon for all these Indian breeds to be referred to simply as, "Indian Country Bred." This is an umbrella name to cover the various breeds in India, many of which have interbred so extensively that some of the individual breed characteristics have been lost.
BOth the Bhutia and Spiti are basically suited to mountainous regions, both in terrain and climate, finding the humidity and warmer temperature of the flats hard to endure. India is not a great horse breeding country - the climate is not suitable for many breeds and there is always a shortage of good fodder, which affects their growth and development. The horses, therefore, have naturally become extremely tough and self-sufficient, and are , by necessity, frugal feeders and economical to keep.
The Bhutia and Spiti are working ponies and are largely kept in the mountainous regions for purely functional reasons. They are not widely used for leisure. They have great stamina and endurance and are very willing and quiet to be around. They make excellent pack ponies, as well as being suitable for riding, although the occasional one can have an unreliable temperament.
In appearance, their conformation is not always great and they do exhibit some faults. They have a large head with a pronounced jaw and a straight profile. They tend to have a short neck, with low withers, a straight back, sloping quarters, deep chest, Straight shoulders, and a well-set tail. The legs are between 12hh and 13.2 hh
The Spiti is essentially a smaller version of the Bhutia, and is primarily found
in the Spiti Valley of the Himachal Pradesh. The Spiti range in color from gray
to dunn, but can be any solid color, and rarely stand above 12 hh.