102
As Sir John Watson's time in this country was limited, a show in each
horse breeding Province was selected, and by the above it will be seen that he
was able to see a large collection of brood mares and young stock at each.
In addition to this, he was able to visit the States of Bahawalpore,
Faridkot, and Ulwar, to see the different systems adopted for the improvement
of horse stock.
I accompanied him in his inspection of the country bred remounts of
the 18th Hussars stationed at Umballa, and he was also able to see those of the
5th Lancers at Muttra, accompanied by the Director of the Army Remount
Department.
I was pleased to have this opportunity of discussing the question of the
supply of stallions suitable for this country with this officer, and at the same
time of pointing out to him the faults so commonly seen in the country bred
mare and which I am so anxious to avoid in the stallions sent out.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Horse breeding
in Ajmere
Merwara.
469. Two stallions were employed in Ajmere-Merwara during the year under
report; one was stationed at Ajmere the other at Kekri, having been removed
from Deoli where he stood for some time without success. The transfer of this
horse to Kekri took place on 2nd November 1895, and the result has been
disappointing, as, during the five months that have elapsed since the horse
arrived at Kekri, only 11 mares have been served by him.
The total number of mares covered by both horses was 54, being an
average of 27 per horse as against 12 last year. On this point the Principal,
Ajmere Veterinary School, who is in charge of horse breeding in Ajmere-
Merwara, states!
"Of this number 35 came to 'Purwana' and only 19 went to 'Seoni'. This number, though far below
that required by regulations, is an increase on last year's coverings and should I think, be considered encour-
aging. As before stated, I have not visited the districts in which 'Seoni' has been stationed, so therefore
cannot offer any reasons why his services have not been in greater demand, but, the Deputy Magistrate at Kekri,
in reply to my official enquiries, states that the small number of coverings at Kekri may, in his opinion, be
attributed to the fact that the transfer was not widely known in the District, and thinks that when the horse's
presence at Kekri becomes more generally known, his services will be in greater request. Under these circum-
stances, I would recommend that the horse be allowed to remain for another year.
"The number of mares brought to 'Purwana' shows that his popularity amongst owners of mares has
increased since last year, and if his young stock should prove to be satisfactory, his services will, it is hoped, be
in greater request during this and future years."
"The pony stallion belonging to the Beawar Municipality has, I am informed by the Assistant Commis-
sioner of that place, covered 13 mares daring the year.
With reference to the class of mare brought to the stallion at Ajmere,
Veterinary Captain Hagger is of opinion that the number of mares suitable for
breeding purposes should be sufficient to require the services of two stallions.
Branding of mares. On this subject, Veterinary Captain Hagger states :—
"The regulations regarding branding, which has been held in abeyance up to the 2nd September of the
year under report, were introduced after that date, and have since then been enforced in the case of all mares
brought to the horse at Ajmere; and, as was anticipated, owners seem to have no objection to the system after
its objects have been explained to them. The number of mares brought for service since branding was intro-
duced was only ten, of which two were rejected, one for being below the required height, the other for marked
hereditary unsoundness of limb, The branding order has not yet been enforced at Kekri."
Results of coverings. On this point, Veterinary Captain Hagger states :—
" I regret being unable to afford any information under this important head, for the reason that not only
have I no authority to visit the districts, but the present system allows no staff or any other means by which it
is possible to ascertain the result after a mare has been put to a horse. And here, I would be allowed to repeat
what I stated in last year's report in reference to this question viz., that until the Superintendent, Civil Vete-
rinary Department in Rajputana, is placed on a footing similar to that of Civil Veterinary Officers in other
Provinces, who are allowed the services of Munshis, Zilladars, and other Native subordinates to collect and
furnish information, it cannot be expected that horse breeding will make satisfactory progress in Rajputana.
So far the attempt has consisted in posting two Government stallions in Ajmere-Merwara district and in distri-
buting notices in the villages containing the bare announcement that a Government stallion has been stationed
in a certain place where his services are available for mares free of charge. Such procedure may be quite
sufficient in the North-Western Provinces, the Punjab, and Baluchistan, the zemindars of which provinces have
long since realised that horse breeding is a remunerative industry; but the Rajput, besides being conservative
is extremely suspicious, and until he is persuaded to the contrary, refuses to believe that a foal, the produce of
his mare by a horse belonging to the 'Sircar', is absolutely and entirely his own property. To overcome this
distrust, which in ignorant zemindars is only natural, especially when they are asked to have their mares branded
with the Government mark, I would suggest that the district Civil Veterinary Officers should be instructed to