Barmer/Bikaner, Aug. 28 -- The experts of equines have called for the need for a National Sports Policy that formally recognises and promotes competitions involving indigenous horse breeds. At a national workshop on "Development of Equine Sector in India" organised on Tuesday at the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), Bikaner, SC Mehta, organising secretary of the workshop and head of NRCE's regional station, expressed concern that India has over 340,000 horses, of which only about 10,000 are exotic breeds, yet most racing tracks, clubs, and facilities cater exclusively to them. "For our 3.3 lakh (330,000) indigenous horses, there is practically nothing," he said. Mehta said: "For institutional support to develop horse-based sports better suited to Indian breeds, such as horse safari, Redi and Tanga races, Rewal Chaal, endurance events, dressage, and arena polo." Citing the example of Jallikattu's legal recognition under regulated rules, he questioned why traditional horse competitions cannot be similarly recognised. "Unless the National Sports Policy outlines and legitimises indigenous horse sports at state and national levels, this mission will remain incomplete," he stressed, urging policymakers to take immediate steps....