6
28. Our real horse breeding centres being North-Western Provinces, North
and South Punjab, and Baluchistan, it is gratifying to note an increase as fol-
lows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ... ...
South Punjab ... ... ... ...
Baluchistan ... ... ... ...
6.3 per stallion.
10.39
„
8.22
„
Whilst I have to note a decrease of 4 46 in North Punjab. This decrease can,
however, be accounted for by the fact that, during the year under review, the
frontier districts of Kohat and Peshawar, in which stallions were placed ex-
perimentally, are included. Two other frontier districts, Dera Ismail Khan
and Bannu, both of which were transferred to North Punjab, during the year
under review, added to the reduction in the average of mares covered; still, at
this cost, I feel it would be unwise to remove the stallions, as Kohat and
Bannu at least, if not, also Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan, promise well.
29. Rajputana shows a better average than last year, whilst Central India,
as will be found stated elsewhere, shows a falling off. As, however, only eight
stallions are employed in Rajputana and Central India, the loss is but trifling.
Demand
for
stallions.
30. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"The zemindars of the north west still retain their old love for the Norfolk Trotter or the Hackney, and
as I said last year, it is not necessary that be should be the best shaped to be the greatest favorite, so long as he
is dark brown or black in color and has a good crest, the natives will bring their mares miles to be covered by
him, even though he be light of bone and calf-kneed. They are inclined to be well disposed towards the
Australians, and the three that were employed during the year did good work, but the Arab and thorough bred
are not favorites. Natives say they are more difficult to keep in condition, and their young stock are delicate
and do not thrive on rough usage like the produce of the Norfolk Trotter and Hackney."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
"With regard to the demand for stallions, I can only repeat my remarks of last year in which I forcibly
advocated the claims of the thorough-bred, whether English or Australian. The breeders have in every district
in my Circle almost without exception, come to the conclusion to which they have been guided by the in-
creased selling value, better shapes, etc., of their young stock, that the thorough-bred is the sire to which to put
their mares. I do not deny that a strain of Hackney or good Norfolk Trotter blood is required in many
mares before the best qualities of the thorough-bred can be produced in the next generation. By good Norfolk.
Trotters, I mean such horses as "The Model," "Mottle," and "Buno," whose stock is almost invariably good.
I am pleased to be able to state that the necessity for more thorough-breds has become so apparent that a
greater average has been imported, including eight beautiful Australian horses of the best blood procurable, of
which I have been fortunate enough to obtain three for the North Punjab. These will be fit to cover their full
complement of mares next season.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, states:—
"Regarding the demand for stallions, I am of opinion that judging from the stamp of mares inspected by
me and from the young stock seen in the districts and at the Fairs, that the thorough-bred English or Austra-
lian are mostly needed, provided these are possessed of good bone and power. I found in so many parts that the
mares are heavy topped with legs more or less tied in below the knee, also short in the rein and heavy and
straight in the shoulder, as the result of too long a continuance in the use of Norfolk Trotter stallions. This
can only be rectified by crossing with the good boned thorough-bred, in order to produce the stamp of stock
required for remounts. But there are districts in which the mares show want of substance and in which the
stallion, of the Hackney type, is needed for a time.
"I could not help remarking, during my tour through Dera Ghazi Khan, what a pity it was so much
Norfolk Trotter blood had been introduced, for here the mares are naturally of an excellent stamp and very
suitable for crossing with the thorough-bred English or. Australian, and the introduction of so much coarse
blood had not, in very many instances, been productive of desirable results. In some parts of this district, as
the extreme North and South, as well as in other districts, there were small mares most suitable for mating
with the Arab.
This officer then proceeds to state that in course of conversation with the
leading zemindars of the districts, through which he travelled, they, with few
exceptions, expressed their opinion in favor of thorough-bred stallions; this was
more noticeable in districts where horse breeding was best understood.
31. The above are the opinions expressed by the Superintendents in charge
of the largest breeding centres; in Baluchistan none but thorough breds or
Arabs should be used, unless we except a small well bred Hackney such as
"The King" imported this year.
32. Several purchasing officers have remarked on this subject.
Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander, Commanding 16th Bengal Cavalry, in
making certain recommendations on the Multan Show, remarks:—
"Recommended that thorough-bred and Arab sires be only issued, as the produce of the Norfolk Trotter and
country-bred mares is unsatisfactory."