64
"It was noticed that more covering certificates were produced at this Show than at previous ones; but
there is still room for improvement in this respect."
"It was observed that in Class II not a single colt appears to have been gelt. The majority were quite
old enough to do harm. The judges would suggest the advisability of their being castrated as soon, after twelve
months' old, as possible."
"The judges consider that pony-breeding in this district promises so well, has been in force for so long a
period, and that the ryots take such a keen interest in this industry, that there is no reason why, with a little
more encouragement from Government, horses suitable for Native Cavalry should not be bred here at no remote
period ; for instance, the colt which obtained first prize in Class II was by the Arab " Sultan," was 13 months
old, measured 13 hands 2 inches, and 6½ inches below the knee, and was full of quality and substance; the animal
would certainly be 14 hands 3½ inches as a five-year old, if properly cared for, and would compare favourably with
the majority of young stock bred in the north. Rs. 200 was offered for him by a private individual and refused
by the owner. This the judges believe is more than the Government pay for yearling colts up-country."
"Among the brood mares was a mare ten years old by " Parfait Amour" (Government stallion), the
model of a pony brood mare ; she has taken many prizes and looks now as fresh and well as she did as a three
year old ; a daughter of hers took third prize in the brood mare class."
"The stallions appear to be the right sort for the work, short and compact with blood, bone, and sub-
stance, especially " Sultan," the grey No. 11, and the bay No. 9 (Mistrust)."
411. With reference to that portion of the above extract in which the
Judges feel sanguine that horses suitable for Native Cavalry might be bred
in this district at no remote period, the Board of Revenue, in their Resolution
dated 3rd July 1895, say:—
"The judges' general remarks have been perused by the Board with much interest. The Board is, how-
ever, unable to fully share their sanguine expectations as to the progress of pony breeding throughout the
Presidency, for these appear to be based upon results which must, for reasons stated in paragraph 7 of the Col-
lector's endorsement, always be exceptional; and having in view the failure of the attempts at horse-breeding
made fifty years ago, it does not consider that any attempt at horse-breeding would succeed."
Paragraph 7 of the Collector's letter quoted in the foregoing extract,
states:—
"I fear other ryots, however well-to-do they might be, cannot successfully compete with the Palayakotta
Pattagar and his relations in raising stock. He and his ancestors have been well-known breeders for generations
and have the advantage of owning extensive lands which they keep fallow for their young stock."
412. I fear it must have been entirely on the young stock exhibited by this
particular ryot, that the Committee based their opinion. I entirely agree with
the Board of Revenue in thinking that horse breeding in this part of India
cannot succeed. All that can be expected is to improve the breed of ponies
and to so add to the Transport in the country. I base my opinion on inspec-
tions held during the cold weather at Tiruppur and Erode in the Coimbatore
district. At Tiruppur 60 mares were collected and at Erode 16; the average
height of these mares was 12-2. Fifty per cent. were good sturdy mares, broad
chested with much better fore legs than those inspected in the Salem district,
and with their hocks set on wider apart; the remaining fifty per cent. were
very small mares. As these may be considered typical mares, which are to
be found in the district of Coimbatore, I think it can safely be asserted that
nothing but pony breeding should be attempted; in fact, so impressed was I
with this fact that I represented to the Government of Madras that in future
no stallion over 13-2 should be employed; this being agreed to, I purchased
6 Arabs from 12-1¾ to 13-2 in height for this Government.
Adamancottah
Pony Show in
Salem District.
413. This year the Show of this district was removed from Mecheri to
Adamancottah, Dharmapuri taluk, and the Committee assembled, report it
inferior in numbers and quality to that held at Mecheri last year.
The Committee report proceeds as follows:—
"All the classes were of poor quality and little progress, if any, could be observed."
"Three Government pony stallions were at the Show—two fresh ponies and one of some standing; these
are smaller than have been in use heretofore and will probably suit the mares better."
"The same want of attention to the feeding and care of ponies and young pony stock was noticeable on this
occasion as at the previous Shows, and the owners have not yet apparently grasped the necessity for careful
feeding in order to rear sizeable animals."
414. I fear that the Salem district will only breed second class ponies. I
held an inspection of mares of this district at Hosur during last cold weather
when I was particularly struck with the smallness—the average height being
11-2, as well as with the malformations noticeable. The majority of the mares
presented for my inspection being narrow-chested, flat-sided, animals with the
very worst of hind legs.