2
8. The average cost of those imported from England, is :—
For Thoroughbred English
For Arabs . . . . . .
£284 each.
£222 „
This, however, represents the actual price paid, and does not include expenses
incurred in England or other incidental charges connected with their transit,
etc.
Short note on each
class of stallion
received.
9. Thoroughbred English. —Eleven were imported during the season and
with the exception of 2 horses (" Therburn " and " Thomas Cat ") which I
consider too big for this country, the remainder are a level compact lot and
suitable.
10. Thoroughbred Australians.—Eight were imported and one purchased
in India. They are exceptionally good and suitable in every way.
11. Arrangements have been made with the Australian shippers that no
stallion over 15-3 in height is to be imported in future.
12. Arabs from England.—Four Arabs, 3 of which were bred by
Mr. Blunt in England, were purchased by General Sir John Watson and sent
to India. With the exception of a grey, 7 years old, which had been used as a
sire in Egypt and was somewhat faulty in conformation, the remaining 3 were
very fine colts and should grow into suitable stallions. It has been decided
not to repeat the experiment as it is thought that equally good mature horses
are obtainable in the Bombay market at a cheaper rate and less risk.
13. Arabs—Bombay market.—There is a steady improvement in this
market both as regards numbers and class. High class blood horses fit for
stud purposes, however, were limited and I was unable to purchase the full
number required.
14. Special arrangements have been made with the best dealers and I hope
to be able to get the full number required during the coming cold weather.
Casualties during
the year.
15. Table III will show that during the year under report 10 horses died
and 27 were destroyed, giving a percentage of 2.80 and 7.56 respectively, which
compares favourably with the averages of the previous year : they were 4.28
and 8.31.
16. In accordance with instructions contained in Military Despatch
No. 101, dated 18th July 1902, from the Right Honourable the Secretary of
State for India, particulars of each stallion died or destroyed, will be found
given in Table III (a).
Sale of rejected
stallions.
17. Particulars of sales effected will be found recorded in Table IV, show-
ing that 24 horses were disposed of; of these, 16 were Norfolk Trotters and
Hackneys, 4 Arabs and 4 Thoroughbred English.
18. These were proved uncertain or bad stock getters, or were otherwise
unfit for stud purposes.
Castration.
19. The number of castrations performed by Imperial and District Board
Veterinary Assistants will be found in Table XI. There is a falling off of 354
as compared with the figures of the previous year, viz., 2,395 against 2,749 in
the year 1900-1901. The reasons assigned are the removal of horse stock from
certain districts owing to drought, and the deputation of Veterinary Assistants
to the Bacteriological Laboratory at Muktesar to undergo a course of training
in preventive inoculation against rinderpest.
Number of branded
mares.
20. Table X shows that the closing balance of branded mares on the
Register was 20,539 against 21,849 in the previous year. The number
branded during the year was 2,041 against 1,869 in the previous year, showing
a satisfactory increase of 172.
Number of mares
covered by
stallions.
21. It is pleasing to note that notwithstanding the effect of bad seasons
which still prevailed in some of the horse-breeding districts, there was a
decided improvement in the number of mares covered. The figures being
14,604 against 14,000 in the previous year, as shown by Table V.
Average coverings
per stallion
employed.
22. As a result of the increase noted in the preceding paragraph, the
average of mares covered per stallion employed at stud was 52.15 against
48.10 in the previous year.
Produce.
23. A reference to Table V shows that there is a falling off in the number
of foals reported as dropped, viz., 3,391 against 3,714 in the previous year;
similarly, the average number of foals per stallion employed has decreased
from 12.67 to 11.65.