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visit villages, see the mares, and explain the meaning of the brand, and if possible convince owners that it would
be more to their advantage to breed a better class of young stock by a Government sire for which a ready market
at a good price is obtainable, than to produce inferior animals by a common horse"
A portion of these difficulties have been overcome. A sum of money
sufficient to cover Veterinary Captain Hagger's expenses whilst touring in
Ajmere-Merwara, has been sanctioned by the Government of India for 1896-97.
This will enable this officer to tour through that part; and proposals, with
reference to this important measure, have been submitted for the consideration
of the Agent to the Governor-General.
I would not feel justified to recommend the appointment of a Zilladar or
any other establishment, considering that there are only two horses employed
and that even these do but very moderate work; later on, when horse breeding
improves, it will be for consideration whether one Zilladar should not be
appointed.
Horse breeding
in Central India.
470. Horse breeding in Central India must be looked upon as very unsatis-
factory. Six stallions have been employed during the year and have covered
only 118 mares. Feeling that the falling off in the number of coverings could
not be allowed to continue, as we could not possibly afford to keep these
stallions in comparative idleness, I addressed the Commandant, Central India
Horse, asking him whether there was any chance of an improvement taking
place or whether he would recommend a reduction in the number of stallions
employed. He consulted the Officers Commanding, 1st and 2nd Regiments,
Central India Horse, in whose charge the horses are; the former officer states
that in his opinion it would be undesirable to withdraw the three stallions
employed in the district, adding that the Political Agent had distributed notices
throughout the District urging proprietors to send in their mares more fre-
quently and that he anticipated favourable results therefrom.
The latter officer asks that the question of a reduction in the number of
stallions should be deferred for another year, when there will be more reliable
data for arriving at a decision on the subject.
For the above reasons, I would not consider it advisable to interfere with
present arrangements, until March 1897; but if then, no improvement takes
place, the question of the advisability of removing all or a portion of the
number of stallions employed, will have to be considered.
Horse and mule
breeding beyond
the border. Kur-
rum.
471. During the year, at the request of Mr. Merk, Commissioner and
Superintendent, Peshawar Division, a donkey was supplied for the Kurrum Valley
and is placed in the charge of the officer on special duty, who reports as
follows:—
" Since the arrival of the donkey stallion in Kurrum in April last year, only 19 mares were covered as
follows:—
April 1895
May „
June „
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
10 mares.
8 „
1 mare.
" It further appears that after the month of June the people of the Valley do not bring in their mares to be
covered. I am making further enquiries on this point which if confirmed and considering the severity of the
winter in even lower Kurrum, it may be found necessary to send the stallion to Hangoo".
This is most disappointing, as it was thought that if a donkey were sent
he would cover his full number of mares; with the great demand for donkeys,
we cannot afford one to remain idle. I shall therefore address the Punjab
Government on this subject, pointing out that it will be necessary to remove
the donkey if, after another year's trial, more satisfactory results are not
obtained.
Tochi Valley.
472. During the year under review, a proposal has been received from the
Political Officer, Tochi Valley, through the Punjab Government recommend-
ing that a horse and donkey should be stationed there. This Officer states that
on enquiry he finds that 210 mares, exclusive of the large number owned by
the Bannu Waziris, are available, and that the Maliks are anxious to obtain the
services of these stallions. This Officer adds that this would have a good effect;
that many of the animals are 15 hands high, well shaped and well bred. This
matter is now under consideration.