5
constantly appeal to me when on tour for more and with good reason, for, not only has the
average of produce per stallion been much higher during the last two years, but an observer
cannot fail to be struck with the large admixture, sometimes two or three successive crosses of
Norfolk Trotter blood in the mares of some of the best districts: certainly there are many very
fine mares of Norfolk Trotter blood, but they frequently show a tendency to heavy tops, heavy
crests, insufficient hone and carrying power, and 1 feel convinced that the time has now come
for the Thoroughbred English to neutralise this tendency. I think after the T. B. E. the
Australian Thoroughbred may be depended on to give good results. It is very difficult to
procure well bred Arabs of sufficient size to beget big horses, though, so far as I can judge from
a limited experience, I am greatly in favour of the Arab being used for the small and purer
country-bred mare of the frontier, till we have produced a larger breed and can then utilize our
larger sires.
"Were they available I could place 10 or more T. B. E. or Australian
Thoroughbred
stallions to great advantage in the North Punjab, and since the Northern portion of the Derajat
has been included in my Circle, I could place five more Arabs.
"From the experience gained by inspecting young stock at Fairs, remounts purchased at Fairs
and Shows, produce brought for my inspection while on tour, &c., I have no hesitation in saying
that I consider the Thoroughbred English the most suitable stock getter for the Army. I do
not deny that the Norfolk Trotter blood is largely responsible for size and other advantages, but
with the increased facilities for careful selection of mares for branding and the rejection of light
weedy animals, I feel sure the Thoroughbred English is by far the best stallion for the districts
under my charge."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, re-
marks:—
"The demand for stallions of the Hackney type is still steady in the South Punjab. The
crossing of these stallions with the mare of the country has resulted in giving us youngsters fit
for cavalry purposes, but when crossed again and again, the produce is apt to become too heavy
and coarse, and in order to give quality as well as power, it has been found necessary to add a
strain of Thoroughbred English blood.
"For instance, in the Ferozepore district many of the mares have three or four strains of
Norfolk Trotter blood, and it was noticed at the Fair that many of them were inclined to be heavy
topped, short and thick in the neck, and heavy in the shoulder; as these are faults to be avoided
in the troop horse, it is considered that more Thoroughbred English stallions are required in this
and other districts where similar faults exist in the mares.
"Judging from the Remount Officers' Rolls, one is led to the conclusion that the produce
of Thoroughbred English and Arab sires are most popular with the purchasing officers.
"In considering this question of stock suitable for the Army, the stamp of stallions which
we receive has to be taken into consideration.
"It is generally acknowledged that mares possessing a strain or two of Norfolk Trotter or
Hackney blood produce very serviceable horses for the Army when mated with good compact
Thoroughbred English or Arab stallions, but how difficult it is to get these Thoroughbred Eng-
lish or Arabs of the proper stamp."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan, states:—
"If stables can be built and other centres opened out, the demand for stallions in the Agency
will be largely increased; for the present I recommend that two Arabs and one Thoroughbred
English more be allotted to the Agency in addition to those received since the 1st April 1895.
"After carefully noting the young stock at Shows, and in the districts, I am quite satisfied
that those by Thoroughbred English horses are the best for Military remounts, that is if the
sire is a big boned horse with a short back and nice light shoulders. Some of the largest breeders
in the Agency talk a great deal about the stock of a Thoroughbred Australian horse "Blue
Light," that stood in the country some years ago, and I should much like to see some more of this
class in Baluchistan."
16. After careful perusal of the opinions of the abovenamed officers, it can-
not be denied that the demand for horses of the Thoroughbred class is increas-
ing.
In the North-Western Provinces, there can be no doubt that the most
popular sire with the zemindars is the Hackney, but this is due to ignorance;
the liking of the native for a big over-topped animal is well known, the fact
that he possesses a heavy overloaded shoulder or that he has not got legs
sufficient to carry his own body, does not in any way detract from his value
in his owner's eyes; but this is not the class of horse that is required for the
Mounted Branches of the Service. I was much struck with the overtopped
class of stock which was exhibited at many of the Shows in the North-Western
Provinces, and this fact was generally remarked on by the various Remount
Officers. This is entirely due to too long continuance of strains of Norfolk
Trotter blood and must be remedied as soon as possible by the introduction
of more Thoroughbred or Arab blood.
I quite agree with the views expressed by the Superintendent, South Pun-
jab, as to the necessity of maintaining a certain number of Hackneys to keep