10
Remounts for
Native Cavalry.
51. There can be no doubt that the Native Cavalry experience some difficulty
in obtaining remounts of four years of age; this is due to two causes—first, ow-
ing to the fact that few zemindars have sufficient capital to keep them to that
age, and secondly, if they do keep them, they are generally unsound as they
are ridden when very young.
52. It is, however, a question whether the Native Cavalry avail themselves
of every opportunity offered. During the past year I have adopted a system with
a view of helping this branch of the service; it has been to inform Officers
Commanding Regiments of any new Fair which is likely to produce remounts
and which is in close proximity to the stations in which their regiments are
quartered. I regret to say that, in many cases, the information has not been
acted upon; this no doubt is due to the fact that it is frequently impossible to
spare an officer owing to the many duties expected of them, still, it is a matter
for regret that officers are not deputed to these Fairs, as even should they be
unable to obtain any remounts at their first visit, their presence there would
assure the zemindars that they could have obtained a market for their stock
and in time a trade would undoubtedly spring up.
53. This was specially noticeable at the Shows held at Jaithu in the Nabha
State and also at Kapurthala, and I would draw attention to Veterinary-Lieu-
tenant Larnder's remarks which will be found recorded under these head-
ings. (Vide pages 107 and 109.)
54. The Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan has also remarked on
the absence of Native Cavalry Officers at Quetta Show, and I have recorded
my opinion in the review of this Show that it is to be regretted that such an
opportunity of obtaining remounts was lost.
Two points, I think, must therefore be granted:—
(i) That Native Cavalry could obtain more remounts than they do if:
they were in a position to send Purchasing Officers to more Shows.
(ii) That with the present arrangements even if they did avail them-
selves of every opportunity, some difficulty would exist.
55. To obviate the difficulty now experienced I would suggest that the
Native Cavalry should purchase a certain number of young stock annually. It
is not within my province to enter into the question as to the number that
could be bought without reducing the efficiency of a regiment, but I feel
convinced that if this system could be adopted, our Native Cavalry would be
mounted on far better horses than they are at present.
56. There can be no doubt that there is a large number of young stock that
could be purchased; take for example two Shows, Sibi, at which 310 head
were present, of which only 17 were purchased by the Remount Agent, and
Dera Ghazi Khan, at which there were 280 exhibited, of which 24 were bought
for British Cavalry.
57. To ensure success, whatever young stock is purchased, should, in my
opinion, be reared regimentally, by which I mean that when a regiment moves,
the young stock should move with it, and if my suggestion is deemed worthy of
consideration, arrangements could I think be made to form the runs which
would be necessary on the grass lands now in possession of most regiments.
58. As this system has been tried in the Regiment of Queen's Own Corps of
Guides, I asked Colonel Egerton whether he would let me know how the system
worked, and whether it was one that was likely to prove successful, and I feel
certain that this officer will pardon my making the following extract from his
letter. He says:—
"Judging by the results we have obtained in the Guides, I think it would pay every regiment to try the
experiment if sufficient grass-producing land could be given them. The young stock having the free use of their
limbs develop into well formed animals with straight fore-legs and true action, instead of having the turned
out toes and shuffling gait of so large a proportion of the three and four-year olds brought up for sale at the
Horse Fairs. Being fed on good wholesome food instead of being fattened up on Masalas into dealer's condition,
they develop muscle instead of fat; in fact, they are given every chance of growing up in a healthy natural
manner instead of passing the three most important years of their life tied up by picketting pegs and possibly
their fore-legs tied together in addition.
"I will now answer your questions categorically—
"(a) What is the best age to buy at?