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The Indian Half-bred is a horse type from the subcontinent of India. It is a cross-breed between Thoroughbred stallions and local and imported mares of various types. It is raised mainly by the Indian Army as a cavalry mount; it is also used by the Indian Police Service, as a polo pony, and for recreational and competitive riding.

History
In the 19th century the Indian cavalry used mainly Arab horses. Later, large numbers of Walers, at that time considered the best cavalry horses, were imported from Australia. In the twentieth century Thoroughbred stock was used to sire half-bloods. The Thoroughbred stallion Thomas Jefferson was imported from Britain and stood both at the army stud at Babugarh and at the remount depot of Saharanpur, both in Uttar Pradesh. At the Partition of India in 1947, India retained four French and eight British Thoroughbreds.

The mares are often local country-bred stock. Imported brood-mares have included Argentines, Bretons from France, and Malapolski and stock from Poland.

Characteristics
The Indian Half-bred is wiry, hardy and well adapted to the climate and terrain of the country. Conformation is very variable; the horses generally stand about at the withers.

Modern uses
The modern day Indian Half-bred is now produced all over India, most consistently by the Indian army at Saharanpur and Baburgarh. The military is able to keep their stock well-fed, helping to maintain the strength of the breeding program. They do not break the horses until they are four years old, at which point they begin a meticulously monitored nine month training program. The horses produced by the military are used primarily in mounted army units and animal transport, while some of the animals find homes in police and civilian capacities. The Indian Half-bred is widely used by the police force in cities and even more often in rural communities. There are an increasing number of these horses being used in riding clubs and competitions, such as polo and recreational riding. While the existing inconsistencies in the physical characteristics of the breed have resulted in a wide range of specimens and even some subspecies, half-bred horses continue to be refined for a variety of competitive and functional purposes both in India and abroad.