75
Extension of
Horse and Mule
Breeding in
Mysore, Rajpu-
tana, Central
Provinces and
Berar, Central
India and
Kashmir.
268. During the year under review, information was sought for from Central
Provinces, Berar, Mysore, and Ajmere-Merwara, as to the possibility of extend-
ing horse and mule breeding.
The questions referred were :—
(i) An estimate of the number of mares available :—
(a) For horse breeding, including all of 14-1 and over.
(b) For pony breeding, including all between 13 and 14 hands.
(c) For mule breeding, including all under 13 hands.
(ii) The general character of each separate breed.
(iii) A short description of the tract occupied by each breed, with spe-
cial reference to its suitability for the rearing of young stock.
(iv) Information whether the owners of pony mares have any objection
to the adoption of mule breeding.
Mysore.
269. From Mysore we learn from a report by the Inspector-General of Forests
that no mares fitted either for horse or pony breeding exist in Mysore, which
is essentially a cattle breeding country; that the only native breed of mare is
the ill-shaped weedy and often vicious " tattoo," usually not exceeding 12 hands
in height. It is further stated that it is doubtful whether these small country
ponies are fit even for mule breeding, and that its adoption would not be a
congenial occupation to the owners.
The Inspector-General of Forests remarks:—
" In view to improve upon the existing system, it. would seem advisable to concentrate future
efforts in one district, viz, Mysore, where 2 stallions find occupation. Arrangements would have
to be made for the free castration of all entire tats in the district, and payment of compensation
to the owner should any die under the operation. Thus, in course of time, there would be no
services effected but by Arab stallions; the breed of foals would wonderfully improve, and it would
then be possible to show progress in the manner indicated."
This I trust will be carried out, as the results would, I feel, be worthy of
the expense which would be incurred by the State.
Central Pro-
vinces and Be-
rar.
270. I regret that but little information is forthcoming from Central Pro-
vinces and Berar. This is due to the factt hat the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Veterinary Captain Short, failed to obtain any reliable data when
on tour, and since his return to his appointment has constantly been sick and
is now on furlough on medical certificate., In all, during his cold weather
tour, he only inspected 39 mares but obtained evidence of the existence of 128
more in the districts of Basin and Buldana alone. He reports those of 13
hands and upwards as being mostly of good stamp, good conformation and
soundness.
Bearing these few facts in mind, it is to be hoped that on the appointment
of an energetic Superintendent to the Central Provinces, we shall be able to
develop horse breeding to a greater extent than has hitherto been done.
Ajmere-Mer-
wara.
271. As far as the zemindars are concerned they keep but very few mares fit
for horse breeding, in fact the Assistant Commissioner of Merwara is of
opinion that in this part of the district there are no mares fit for horse breeding.
Of mares under 14 hands, he, however, calculates that there are at least 1,000,
of which 600 are calculated to mate well with pony stallions, the rest only
fitted for mule breeding.
The Assistant Commissioner states:—
"Mule breeding conflicts with the prejudices of the zemindars of this district."
This is greatly to be regretted, for this officer states, with reference to the
suitability of the district to the rearing of young stock, that the rough hilly
land, of which there is so much in Merwara, would lend itself most favorable to
the rearing of a useful class of hardy ponies. If this is the case, how much
more would it prove suitable for the rearing of mules.