7
Bombay, 12th to 17th Feb-
ruary 1889.
50. On my way to Ahmedabad I halted here, and inspected the stables
for the purpose of selecting a horse for the Rájpipla
State, but did not succeed in getting one. On the
11th of March I attended the meeting of the Veteri-
nary College.
Ahmedabad, 20th to 26th
February 1889.
51. The Show here was held on the 20th February and following days.
The number of exhibits this year showed an increase
of 19 compared with those of last year, and it is
satisfactory to note that most of the exhibitors were
cultivators and bonâ-fide breeders. Many owners had parted with their stock,
owing to the dearness of forage. There were 56 entries in the Remount
class. Notification was given to the effect that officers of several cavalry
regiments and police corps would attend the Show with a view to purchasing
remounts; also the fact that Government was prepared to buy young stock
over one year suitable for remounts. But it appears that dealers did not give
any credit to this, having been disappointed in previous years. However, 14
remounts were procured for cavalry and police, and 3 yearlings were purchased
by Captain Webb, the Remount Agent, and sent to Hapur.
Hampton
January
Táhlim
A'ngrya
Kohinoor.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T. B. E.
Arab.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Hassan.
Scindia.
Rufus.
Melton.
52. Here I branded 3
mares for horse and 60 for
pony. I also inspected the
stallions noted in the margin,
and found them in excellent
condition.
General Remarks.
53. The conclusion that must be arrived at from a comprehensive examina-
tion of horse-breeding operations in the Bombay Presidency during the past
year is that the progress is satisfactory in Sind, but there is no marked progress
either in Gujarát or the Deccan. The reasons for this latter are in many cases,
however, of a temporary character; especially the scarcity of forage in many
districts has been unfavourable in various ways. In bad years the owners of
mares show a most disheartening amount of apathy, and they sadly neglect their
stock, which falls off very much in condition. The young stock is stunted
in growth and frequently dies, or else it is prematurely sold off for a mere
song, so that the owner finds no profits in breeding, and does not care to trouble
himself in future years. Fortunately many of these youngsters are bought up
by enterprising " Daláls ", who take them to places where grazing is to be had.
I have not yet succeeded in thoroughly establishing that point, or in ascertaining
whether there are any particular places where the bought-up foals from the
different districts are accumulated. I think it probable that these places vary
according to the local rainfall, and have noted this matter for careful investi-
gation during the coming year.
54. With regard to the mares. The low condition brought about by
scarcity of food is an extremely serious matter; for it not only prevents many of
them from coming into season, holding or carrying their foals to the proper
time and developing them properly before birth, but also affects their fitness for
breeding purposes in coming years. As every horseman knows, once an animal
thoroughly gets below par, a considerable length of time, care and good feeding
are essential to bring the animal into good condition again. But, unfortunately,
these mares never get the requisite care, and seldom the good feeding necessary ;
hence we cannot be surprised at many of them turning out barren. Expensive-
ness of fodder in any district not only renders my tour more costly to Govern-
ment, but also renders it less valuable in results, because at such times the
owners of mares will not travel far from home, and if they do, their mares are
found in such a wretched state that it would be injudicious to give the brand,
or allow them to have the services of the stallions. These reasons will fully ex-
plain why fewer mares have been branded in this than in some previous years.
They will also fully explain why I was not so constantly on the move touring,
as might appear advisable to any one not fully aware of the emergencies under
which horse-breeding operations have to be carried on in some parts of the