Healing Horses in Ladakh

Tsering Namgyal

In the past, when modern veterinary services were scarce, Ladakhi horse owners relied on skilled practitioners like Tsering Namgyal from Kaya village and Tashi Gyalstan from Skyu village. Aba Tsering treated various horse ailments using a rare text called Staspey. He graciously allowed us to copy the full text, one of the few remaining in Ladakh, available in both Ladakhi and Hindi. Namgyal was unsure of the translator of the Hindi version, as it had been in his family for generations.

Tashi Gyalstan is among the few trained in genetic surgeries on horses, having learned from his teacher in Kaya, who was mentored by someone from Chilling. According to Tashi, surgeries known as Shet-Chatches or Shat la tangskan (gelding) were typically performed around the age of three to help reduce aggression. The summer heat increases the risk of infection, while the harsh winter cold in Ladakh can freeze wounds, leading to complications. Therefore, spring was considered the ideal time for these procedures.   

Tashi Gyalstan

                                                                                                     

Mahadeva Solkha.

Aba Tsering Dorjey, 88, from Markha village in Leh, Ladakh, recounts that his ancestors originally came from Chilling village. It is widely believed that the people of Chilling are descendants of Newari craftsmen from Nepal, who were invited by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century to create the Sakyamuni Buddha statue at Shey Palace. The name Chilling (Phyi-gling) translates to "place of the foreigner." The community holds Mahadeva as their principal deity and conducts a special prayer called Mahadev Solkha in his honor.