123
511. In the North-Western Provinces and Punjab, the two large employers Produce,
of District Board stallions, the following number of foals were dropped, (vide
Table D. page lxxxii):—
North-Western Provinces ... ...
North Punjab
...
...
South Punjab
...
...
Number of foals
dropped
704
309
827
1,840
Number of results
not known.
386
255
492
1,133
Average per
stallion
employed.
18.5
16.26
16.21
This shows a marked improvement on last year, and when we take into
consideration that 1,133 results were not known, if we add the same percentage
of foalings which have been ascertained, viz.,38 per cent., we can safely add 320
foals to the 1,840 reported above as having held.
With reference to the class of produce, the Superintendent, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states:—
" The most satisfactory point with reference to breeding by aid of Provincial stallions, is that in the
case of mares that had foals at foot, the foal promised to be much better and bigger than the dam; in several
instances, I saw little mares with foals at foot a few months old, and the foal almost as big as the mare; this
fact was noted and remarked on by the President of the Special Judging Committee that attended the different
Fairs in these Provinces."
This Officer's remarks, on this subject, will be found quoted in paragraph
420, page 65, of this Report.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, states
as follows :—
"I would call attention to the advance made in the District Board pony-breeding operations. The success
attained is, in my opinion, much greater than figures show. Many of the pony stallions now in my districts
are of good size and quality and well-fitted to cover small, well-shaped mares of which there are many too under-
sized to be branded. Not only does this improve the breed of ponies, but the result of such mating in many cases
will, if a filly, be big enough for branding."
Mares unbrand-
ed or
branded
for district horse-
breeding.
512. Table F. (page lxxxix) shows the number of mares supposed to be
available for horse or pony-breeding by District Board stallions. I do not place
much reliance on this Statement, as difference systems are adopted in the en-
umeration of these mares in different districts; for example, in Jullunder the
total number of mares in the district is given, no calculation having been made of
the number fit for horse or pony-breeding; again, the districts of Ludhiana,
Kangra, Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh sent in blank Returns.
Branding is not resorted to in the case of mares covered by District Board
stallions. This, I think, is correct. I would much prefer to leave the District
Authorities totally unfettered, and I feel that the results will be a gradual
improvement in the breed of ponies in the various provinces.
After careful consideration of the above facts, I feel convinced that the
Government of India will agree with me in thinking that our best thanks are
due to the various District Authorities and to the District Boards who are in-
teresting themselves in this most important work.
Stallions.
513. As of course the whole success of the scheme must entirely depend on
the class of pony obtainable, I am pleased to be able to report that a better class
of stallion is being obtained. The various District Boards recognize that a few
hundreds of rupees, representing the initial cost, is but trifling. I am, how-
ever, still occasionally asked to provide District Board stallions at Rs. 500;
this I can do at times, when a racing pony that has broken down, is offered
for sale, but few of these are such as would make good sires. When, however,
a young and sound Arab pony is required, it is impossible to provide a good
animal for this sum; it has to be taken into consideration that the following
expenses have to be met:—
Stable Commission, Bombay
...
...
...
Contingent expenses, Bombay, loading,&c.
...
...
Kail, syces, &c., from Bombay to Babugarh ...
...
Gear and clothing
...
...
... ...
Average cost of 6 months feed and keep in Depôt
...
Rs.
17
15
75
30
90
227
A.
0
0
0
0
0
0
P.
0
0
0
0
0
0