2
8. The average cost of the eight stallions imported from England amounts
to £274 each, but this represents the price actually paid, and does not include
expenses in England or other incidental charges connected with transit, etc.
Short note on each
class of stallion
imported.
9. No note has been left by my predecessor as to his opinion on the class
of horse imported during last year, but a Committee composed of the following
officers, viz., Veterinary Major Ringe, Veterinary Captain Maxwell, Veterinary
Lieutenant Trydell and Veterinary Lieutenant Smith, was ordered by him to
assemble at Babugarh. I attach the remarks of this Committee and refrain
from making any comments as I have not seen the horses in question.
10. The two thoroughbred English, viz., "The Swale" and "Master
Lurgan," sent to the Bombay Presidency, were seen by me. They are both
small, compact horses on short legs and fair movers. They are suitable for the
Deccan but not up to the standard of former years.
11. The Committee's remarks on the horses sent to Babugarh, are as
follows:—
"Thoroughbred Australians.—We are of the opinion that this class is inferior compared with those received
in former years. Several of them have crooked forelegs and some of them are too big for the mares of this
country. We make the following remarks on some individual horses :—
"(a) "Renown.—Both forelegs crooked.
"(b) "Bonnie Heather.—Permanently enlarged fetlocks due to brushing, elbows turned in.
"(c) "Baden Powel.—Brushes badly, otherwise a fair horse.
"(d) "Emperor.— Crooked forelegs, goes very close.
" (e) "Favonius.—Quite a good horse and of a suitable size.
"Thoroughbred English.—We consider there is no improvement on former years. The defects mentioned
in the Thoroughbred Australian class, viz., crooked forelegs, are also very noticeable in the English horses. The
following horses are specially noted:—
"(a) "Prince Rudolph.—Bad feet, crooked forelegs: unfit for breeding purposes.
"(b) "Galopian.—Crooked forelegs, crosses at a walk.
"(c) "Balmory.—Turns in off fore badly. Very bad action. Of suitable size.
"(d) "Drake.—A common horse, calf kneed.
In connection with this class we notice several inaccuracies as regards age. For example,' Balmory is
described as four years of age, whereas his mouth shows him to be seven years."
Arabs.—A very great improvement was no ticeable throughout the Arab
market. The great majority of dealers brought horses over 14 hands and few
small ponies were imported. I see no reason why this market, under the present
height conditions of racing and polo, should not improve very rapidly.
Casualties during
the year.
12. Table III shows that during the year under report 16 horses died and
31 were destroyed, giving a percentage of 4.28 of deaths, and 8.31 of those des-
troyed. Compared with corresponding figures of last year, it will be found that
2 more horses died, and that 2 more were destroyed.
13. Like last year, the main causes of death arose from abdominal diseases,
due in many instances to coarse indigestible grasses, the only class of fodder
obtainable in many districts; and the horses shown as destroyed had to be got
rid of, either for age or incurable diseases.
Sale of rejected
stallions.
14. Details of sales effected will be found in Table IV, showing that 8
horses were disposed of during the year, and 1 horse was stolen. This horse was
stationed at Kohat and was reported by the Deputy Commissioner to have been
stolen during the night. Enquiries were made by the Police authorities, but no
trace of the stallion, or the perpetrators of the theft has as yet been obtained.
The District Superintendent of Police informed the Deputy Commissioner that
rumours had reached him of the horse having been stolen by Ghilzais and
taken to Cabul, but the report was not confirmed nor was any proof forth-
coming. The above circumstances were duly reported to the Government of
India.
Castration.
15. In accordance with instructions contained in paragraph 5 of letter
No. 860—55-1, dated 19th March 1901, from the Department of Revenue and
Agriculture, the number of castrations performed by District Board Veterinary
Assistants has been amalgamated with the number done by Imperial Veterinary
Assistants and shown collectively in Table XI, from which it will be observed
that the total number amounted to 2,416 against 2,446 in the previous year,
showing a slight falling off of 30.
Number of branded
mares.
16. Table X shows that whilst 23,235 branded mares were present at the
beginning of the year, the closing balance numbered 21,849. The reduction