36
I quite agree with this, and have endeavoured, as far as possible, to intro-
duce this system into other shows. The awarding of small prizes just pays a
zemindar's expenses whilst he attends a show.
110. During the show, 82 mares were branded.
111. The Deputy Commissioner, in his report, brings forward the advisa-
bility of awarding some prizes to Powindahs, and says :—
" The award of some prizes to Powindahs can partly be justified on the grounds of expedi-
ency. They are our subjects for half the year, and they possess the finest brood mares in the
district. There is therefore a reasonable chance that the produce reared by them will eventually
be disposed of in India."
I would much like to foster horse-breeding amongst these border tribes,
and shall place myself in communication with the Deputy Commissioner on the
subject.
112. It is to be regretted that no purchasing officer attended this show.
Only two remounts were purchased by the police authorities.
Dinanagar
Horse Show.
113. This show, held on 26th and 27th March 1895, was the first one attended
by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab ; it can
scarcely be termed a show, but should be looked upon more as an annual
gathering of the horse stock of the district.
114. No prizes were given from Imperial funds, but Rs. 400 was awarded
by the District Board.
115. Two hundred and sixty eight horses and mares and six mules were pre-
sent, but none were suitable either for the Remount Department, and very few,
if any, for Native Cavalry.
116. Neither the Imperial nor District Board stallions appear to have
done as well as they might have still the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, reports:—
" There are signs of the District Board stallions being appreciated by the zemindars, and
several young stock by these looked promising. Two fillies sired by them were branded for
Imperial horse breeding."
This is most promising. It is the first occasion on record in which the
produce of these stallions has been reported to have been fit for mating with
Imperial stallions.
117. Horse breeding in this district (Gurdaspur) has not made the progress
I should have wished ; this is no doubt partly due to its being one of the most
backward districts in the Punjab, as far as castration is concerned; on this
point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, reports .—
" I know that in 2 or 3 tehsils in the district there are country-bred stallions serving to the
disadvantage of branded mares.
" The fair ground at Dinanagar was full of entire animals, some of them over 14 hands."
This is greatly to be regretted, but as the attention of the Deputy Com-
missioner has been drawn to the fact, I hope to see an improvement in this
direction next year, as the three Imperial stallions have only covered an aver-
age of 21 mares during the past year, and of course, unless an improvement
takes place, it will be necessary to reduce the number employed in this district.
Gujrat Horse
Show.
118. This show was held on 15th and 16th March 1895, and must be consi-
dered to have been very successful. Not only did the total number of animals
attending this show exceed that of last year by 78, but the number of exhibits
rose from 296 to 306—an increase of 10. As quality was also well represented,
it speaks well for the popularity of breeding in the district. One of the most
marked improvements to be noticed in all the shows, but especially in Gujrat,
is the improvement which has taken place in color. The rich whole colored
bays and browns are the prevailing colors now.
119. The best classes were the branded mares, of which 59 competed, and
the branded fillies, 43 competing. The quality of both these classes was specially
remarked upon by the Judging Committee.
120. The donkey class was specially good, and from these the Inspector-
General, Civil Veterinary Department, was able to purchase 7 young animals
for District Boards and to run on the Instruction Farm; one of these compared
favourably with any of the Italian Jacks lately landed.