48
" With this object in view, I am instructing the Political Agent and Deputy Commissioner,
Quetta-Pishin, to advertise the fair very much more largely, and to draw up a printed circular for
transmission to Officers Commanding British and Native Cavalry regiments all over Northern and
Central India, pointing out the advantages of the Quetta show as a remount fair, describing the
class of horses obtainable, and explaining the best means of competing with and forestalling the
native dealers. Colonel Gaisford will also be instructed to spend, if necessary, less money on
prizes and to utilise a portion of the grant to meet charges for advertising the advantages of the
fair in the public papers."
199. I have hitherto confined my remarks to the Northern Horse Trade. The
present horse show was noticeable for the grand collection of mares and the
promising young stock, and I look on Baluchistan as one of our best fields for
horse breeding. It possesses everything in its favor, especially in the way of
soil and climate. I cannot do better than quote Colonel Gaisford's remarks on
this point:—
" As regards horse breeding in the district, there is no doubt that it is getting more and more
popular. In many villages, where a few years ago there were none or perhaps only one mare, there
are now six or seven or more. Zemindars are investing their savings in horse flesh. There has
been a great run upon the stallions ; and although the numbers of these has increased from two to
23 in the past five years, they have been barely able to keep up with the demand on them. We
need at least three more next year. I believe the time has come to supersede the Norfolk Trotter
by the Thoroughbred English or Australian, and the Arab. The cross with the local mare and
the Norfolk Trotter is hardly satisfactory. They are nearly all coarse, clumsy animals with no pluck
or endurance. But whatever stallions are sent they should all be powerful large-boned animals
with short backs and good shoulders. After over eleven years experience I have no hesitation in
saying that weedy animals are practically useless as sires in Baluchistan. It is waste of money to
keep them, and as the produce does not sell well, the breeders are discouraged, I have also noticed
that coarse under-bred Arabs generally fail to 'stamp' their shape on their produce. The mares
might as well have been covered by country-breds. None but really well bred Arabs appear to be
satisfactory."
I agree with him in saying that more thoroughbred blood is required, in
fact I consider that none but big boned Thoroughbreds and powerful high caste
Arabs should be employed in Baluchistan, but the difficulty lies in obtaining
horses of this stamp.
200. I am glad to find that castration is becoming universal in the Quetta-
Pishin district. Colonel Gaisford, to whose interest in this matter must be
attributed the success gained, states :—
" The elimination of the bad entries is having a very marked effect. All the mares are now
sired by Government horses, and the improvement in the stock is most striking.
" At the fair the only entries amongst the local stock were colts from Mustung and Kalat."
Sibi Horse
Show
201. This show was held from 11th to 14th February 1895 and must be con-
sidered to have been a great success : not only did the numbers attending show
an increase on last year, but also the number of breeders' stock exhibited
shows the district of Thal Chotiali to be one in which the greatest interest
is taken by the people in horse breeding. The number present this year was
1,471, being an increase of 275 over last year, and of these 1,406 belonged to
breeders.
202. Both brood mares and young stock were worthy of great commenda-
tion. Of the former, 316 were exhibited and were especially good, showing
both bone and quality.
The young stock was, however, the most noticeable feature in the show.
310 of: all ages were exhibited, and it would have been impossible to desire a
better lot of youngsters. The stock by "Songster" T. B. E. was fit for any
branch of the service.
203. Castration has commenced to take some hold in Thal Chotiali, and 64
excellent geldings were exhibited. Hitherto it has been customary to charge
eight annas to the owner of each colt castrated, in order to defray the travel-
ling expenses of the Salutri. The Deputy Commissioner has, however, kindly
promised to endeavour to meet this expenditure from other funds, and if this is
done, I have no doubt that castration will be adopted in this district as readily
as it is in that of Quetta-Pishin.
204. Eleven head of young stock were purchased by the Remount Agent,
and a better lot could not be wished for.
It is scarcely possible to say how many remounts were bought for
Native Cavalry, as correct rolls have not been received. 23 entered the ring