The
Zaniskari, also known as Zanskari, is a
breed of small mountain horse or
pony from
Ladakh, a region of
Kashmir administered by India. It is named after
Zanskar, a valley or region in
Kargil district. It is similar to the
Spiti breed of
Himachal Pradesh, but is better adapted to work at high altitudes. Like the Spiti, it shows similarities to the
breeds of neighbouring Tibet. The Zaniskari is of medium size, and is often
grey in colour. The breed is considered endangered, as there are only a few hundred alive today, and a conservation programme has been started at
Padum, in the Kargil district of Ladakh. This Zaniskari horse was photographed in central Ladakh.
Photograph credit: Eatcha