PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
III.—HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Review
on
Horse Fairs and
Shows of 1894-
95.
56. Following the course which appears to have always been adopted, the
Horse Fairs and Shows have been reviewed in alphabetical order.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Aligarh Horse
Show.
This Show was held from 13th to 20th February 1895. 1,278 animals
attended this Show, of which more than half were the property of zemindars,
the remainder belonging to dealers. The increase in the number of breeders'
stock that was present on this occasion, being 165 in excess of last year, is
encouraging. This no doubt is due to the interest taken, not only in the
Show but also in all matters connected with horse breeding, by Mr. Harrison,
the Collector of the district.
57. The Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, attended this
Show and carefully inspected the brood mares and young stock. Of the former,
nearly 100 competed; many were particularly fine mares but on being judged,
nearly every one was overtopped. This fact, no doubt, led the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, to remark in his report as follows :—
" Most of the classes filled well particularly that for Branded mares covered by Government
stallions within the last year; 52 competed, the majority of them being decidedly good, and should,
if mated with T. B. E. stallions, give excellent remounts."
58. The show of young stock was disappointing; only 82 head having been
exhibited, of which only 13 were over 2 years of age. This leads one to ask
what becomes of the young stock. This question will have to be generally
considered later on, but with reference to this district, I found that it was
almost an universal custom of the zemindars to sell their young stock at 4
months of age, being the time at which it is generally weaned.
59. One of the special features of this show was the class for mares covered
by District Board stallions. Of these, 30 were present, 6 having foals at foot.
The Committee decided to award a prize to each, in order to encourage the
zemindars to have their unbranded mares covered by these stallions.
60. Remounts. —This Horse Show produced a number of remounts:—
The Remount Agent purchased
...
...
...
3rd Bengal Cavalry
...
...
... ...
4th Bengal Cavalry
...
...
... ...
Holkars Imperial Service Cavalry
...
...
...
Bhurtpur
„
„
„
...
...
...
Total
...
7
4
6
10
9
36
In addition to these. 5 Transport ponies were purchased by the Bhurtpur State.
Captain Westlake, the Remount Agent, remarks :—
" Compared with other Fairs in the North-Western Provinces, Aligarh, is one of the best and
shows no signs of declining in interest. Owners of mares appear to do them well and are anxious
to keep their fillies for breeding. The horses on the whole, although in greater numbers, appear to
be quite up to the standard of former years, but those got by Government sires are rather inclined
to be over-topped."
He further remarks:—" The Collector has spared no pains in making the
arrangements of the Fair perfect." With this I quite agree, and I feel that the
thanks, not only of this Department but of all purchasing officers and visitors
to this Show, are due to Mr. Harrison for the excellent arrangements.
61. On the question of returns received from purchasing officers at Horse
Shows, the Collector states :—
" Captain Murray, 3rd Punjab Cavalry, is believed to have also made some purchases, but he
has not furnished me with the return prescribed by Government of India Notification No. 3308,
dated 21st July 1894."