52
Department, attributes to the scarcity of fodder, owners not being able to get
their animals in show condition. This officer adds:—
"On the whole I was disappointed with the show and the quality of the exhibits. I know very well that
there are some very line animals in the district and I look upon the Kassur and Chunian Tahsils as being amongst
the best in the whole of the North Punjab Division. Very few, however, came from these tahsils probably on
account of reasons above mentioned."
Alluding to branded mares, this officer states:—
"Forty-four competed against 57 last year, amongst which were some very nice mares, though they
showed a marked falling off when the prize winners were taken out."
318. The President, Special Judging Committee, was, however, much
struck with the mares which he states were the best he had seen at any of the
Punjab Horse Shows. I think he must have alluded only to the prize win-
ners ; these certainly were splendid mares, but the rest were poor.
Referring to young stock, this officer states:—
"The produce of the Norfolk Trotter seemed here of a better and more shapely class than usual. Arab and
Norfolk Trotter produce divided the prizes practically among themselves. Very few thorough-bred English
produce was exhibited and that not of the best."
319. The foundation of this stock was laid some years ago by two stud-bred
sires and most of the best brood mares in this district can be traced back to
one of these. The Norfolk Trotter strain can then be used when we have a
foundation of this description and if not persevered with too long, the produce
is as described " shapely." I attended this show and in my notes I find the
following entry:—
"The most noticeable feature was the excellent stock by Arabs, especially by " Rocket," " Young Ruby,"
and " Cowasjee."
320. Remounts.—The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
states: —
"No remounts were bought for British service, though seven nice ones were purchased last year. I attri-
bute this to the fact that all saleable animals were picked up by the various dealers before they came into the
Show. Eight remounts were bought for Native Cavalry : about the same number as last year."
321. On the subject of remounts for Native Cavalry at this Show, the
President, Special Judging Committee, reports as follows:—
"From conversation with zemindars I found them very unwilling at Lahore to keep youngsters after they
were two years old. Most of them were in debt and all hard up. Now Native Cavalry are not allowed to buy
such young stock, therefore the zemindar finds that practically the dealer is his only customer. Therefore
dealers have it all their own way and every remount over three years at Lahore must be purchased from dealers,
for the zemindar does not keep such an article.
"Only two remounts under three years old were purchased ; both from the zemindar ; but only one remount
over three was purchased from a zemindar and this was a white horse with pink eyes, of indifferent shape that only
remained in zemindar's hands because no dealer would buy it. Under such conditions the dealer is absolutely
indispensible to the breeder, for if the dealer does not buy the latter's two year olds no one else will (except the
pick taken for the British service). The zemindar, like all small owners, wants quick return for his money and
cannot afford, or will not afford, to wait a couple more years, face the increased expenditure on food and fodder,
and take the risks of death and disease. The dealer is master of the situation until Native Cavalry are allowed
to buy 2 year olds."
Multan
Horse
Show.
322. This Show was held no the 9th and 10th March 1896. In last year's
Administration Report, I remarked that horse breeding had been allowed to
decline owing to a want of interest in the matter. I at the same time noticed
that the Deputy Commissioner was anxious to promote horse breeding; the
result of this interest has been fully shown in this year's show—
Number of animals present ... ...
Number competing for prizes ... ...
1894.
904
348
1895.
715
309
1896.
970
436
This is very satisfactory especially as fodder has been scarce in the district,
owing to the scanty rain-fall.
323. The branded mare class I considered to be a moderate lot, and speaking
from experience of 13 years ago, I would say that they have improved, but I
have the same fault to find with this district that I found then, viz., that their
owners cared for them badly. One fact struck me very forcibly, this was that
whilst a most marked improvement has taken place in color in other districts,
in Multan there is still a great preponderance of parti-coloured horses.