Horse
In Religion and Mythology
Kalki avatar
One of the navarathnas (nine gems) that surfaced during the churning of the divine ocean ( Sagara manthana ) was a seven-headed flying horse named Ucchaishrava, which along with Airavatha, is employed by Lord Indra. The horse is said to be snow-white in colour. Kalki avatara , stated to be the tenth and final avatara of Lord Vishnu (which is yet to manifest) is also depicted riding a white horse.
In Religion and Mythology
Lord Vishnu as Hayagriva along with His consort Lakshmi Devi
The chariot of Lord Surya is pulled by seven horses. Hence, he is sometimes referred to as Saptashva (Lord of Seven Horses).
One of the minor manifestations of Lord Vishnu is Hayagriva, where His face resembles that of a horse. Lord Kubera, the Hindu God of wealth sometimes uses a horse as his vehicle. In South India, terracotta horses are offered to the folk deity – Aiyanar, who is believed to ride them. The Gonds of Central India worship a horse-God, ‘ Koda Pen ‘ in the form of a shapeless stone.
Scientific Name: Equus caballus Linn.
Common Name: Horse, Ghoda (Hindi), Kudirai (Tamil), Ashwaha (Sanskrit)
Distribution: Throughout India
Conservation Status: Domesticated