29
The judging took place on the 15th November, as Mr. Loughlin could not attend at an earlier
date. Most of the remount purchasers found it impossible to keep their purchases so long at the
Fair, and I should recommend that if Government can let us have the Veterinary Surgeon of
Babugarh at an earlier date, the Judging Committee be held on the bathing day or even one day
earlier.
Nearly all the remounts were purchased, and many of them had left the fair, by the bathing
day this year. As the object of the prizes at this fair is to encourage breeders and dealers to bring
horses fit for the Government services, I consider the prize money in remount classes thrown
away unless the judging takes place before the remounts are taken from the fair. On the other
hand, remount purchasing officers would object strongly to the horses being judged before their
purchases were practically completed, as the procedure would enhance the prices of those horses
which obtained prizes.
The prices paid for remounts were high, one officer buying five horses for an average price of
Rs. 395 each. Circular No. 20-138 of the Government of India, dated 22nd October 1894, came
to this District too late to be brought into operation this year. The dealers obtained practically
all the prizes in every class. Batesar is essentially a dealer's Fair.
Out of the seven prize winners of the two-year old geldings, five had known pedigrees. Out
of the seven prize winners amongst the yearling geldings, six were of known pedigrees. The pedi-
gree of the remounts was chiefly unknown. The classes shown were poor, with the exception
of the remounts, which were of good quality, but dear."
68. Owing to the fact that Horse Fairs and Shows are carried on for many days
in the North-Western Provinces—take for example Batesar which is advertised
to last for 10 days, it is impossible for the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, to attend for the whole time. The system adopted in the Punjab,
in which Province they last 2 days or at the most 3, is by far preferable.
Bulandshahr
Horse show.
69. This Horse Show was held from 23rd to 23th February 1894, and having
attended it on this occasion, not having been present at a show held in this
district for 15 years, I must confess that I was greatly disappointed.
On looking at the figure furnished by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, I find that the zemindar's stock numbered 260 against 442 in
1894; 453 in 1893 ; and 668 in 1892 whilst the dealers stock was 737 against
726 in 1894; 602 in 1893, 405 in 1892.
These figures go to show that this district is rapidly losing its importance
as a zemindars show and being converted into a dealers fair. This is shown
by the zemindars stock having fallen from 668 in 1892 to 260 in the present
year, whilst the number of dealers stock rose from 405 in 1892 to 737 on
this occasion.
70. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states :
" The branded mares showed plenty of power and substance, and like those of Aligarh, should,
if mated with thoroughbred English stallions, produce excellent remounts.
" The young stock was, as a rule, good, but a large proportion of them were wanting in
quality.
"The Remount Officer purchased 12 very promising remounts for British Cavalry, and he
informed me he could have bought 50 had they possessed a little more quality. This goes to show
the necessity for more thorough bred stallions."
This officer reports as follows on this show :—
" This is undoubtedly the best show in the North-Western Provinces. The number of stock
exhibited for sale is larger and quality superior to any other fair I have yet visited. Numbers
appear to be quite up to the average of former years and a gradual improvement in the breed of
stock is visible.
"It is very strongly urged, however, that where so many fine mares and fillies are available
of one strain or more of Norfolk Trotter blood, a very much larger percentage of T. B. E. or
Arab sires should be imported into the districts to replace the present Norfolk Trotter horses,
and thus prevent the present tendency to coarseness decidedly visible among the stock."
With reference to the remounts obtained, this officer also states:—
" Quite up to the standard of former years. The young stock bought are a capital lot and
the best I have purchased this year."
71. Having attended all the principal shows held in North-Western Prov-
inces I fully agree with this remark. The mares and young stock are overtop-
ped, not having sufficient bone to carry their heavy bodies, and the time has
arrived when we must introduce either Arab or thoroughbred blood to coun-
teract this fault.
72. Thirteen remounts were purchased for Native Cavalry. I regret that no
rolls have been received so I am unable to ascertain the opinions of purchasing
officers; but one fact which tells greatly against this district, once one of the