120
"With regard to the young stock, it is very evident that a considerable improvement has taken place, and
the owners are quite aware of this, and quite realize the fact that youngsters by the Provincial stallions are
superior in height, make and shape to those got by the small country-breds or grasscutters' tats. In connection
with this it is worthy of notice that 18 youngsters, the progeny of Provincial stallions, gained prizes at the
different Fairs and Shows in these Provinces during the year. Also during my tour I branded 10 fillies
(against 5 last year) by Provincial stallions as fit to mate with Imperial stallions. At Nasirpur, a Provincial
colt 2½ years of age measured 14 hands, and also at Pahasu, one of 18 months of age measured 14-1."
551. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, concludes his report
on the work done by the Provincial stallions in the following terms :—
"From the foregoing report it will be seen that the Provincial stallions this year have done excellent work.
They have covered 54 mares each, and 274 more mares than last year.
"The work for stallions is much beyond their powers to perform, and if the stallion power were nearly
doubled it could be utilized; the number of applications uncomplied with will show this ; in some stands there
is sufficient work for two stallions.
"Provincial stock are improving yearly, and if only sufficient money is given to meet the requirements in
keeping up and increasing the stallion power, I have every hope that in course of time the equine stock of these
Provinces will be vastly improved: in support of my statement, I give below the prizes won by stock got by
these stallions at the various Fairs and Shows held in these Provinces, when competing with stock by Imperial
sires.—
No. of 1st prizes
„
„
„
„
„
„
2nd „
3rd „
Other „
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. 4
. 5
. 2
. 7
18"
552. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North Punjab, states:—
"Pony stallions are much required in Bannu, where none are maintained by the District Board, as they are
unable to afford to purchase one. Kohat could do well with one placed at the stand to be opened at Kark.
Sialkot had only two at the close of the year instead of four at the beginning, one was sold and the other died;
they appear to be appreciated as they covered 60 mares each, therefore I trust steps will be taken to replace
them. Hazara is another district where there should be plenty of work for at least two stallions, and the Deputy
Commissioner was addressed on the subject, but he replied that funds were not available at present.
"The proof that the District Board pony stallion is useful is, that many of his progeny were branded during
the year and several fit to put to a thoroughbred. The two best breeding districts, Shahpur and Rawalpind,
maintain six and seven respectively. At the Rawalpindi Show, the progeny of the District Board stallions was
noticeable feature."
553. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
remarks:—
"As shown by the high average of mares per stallion covered—62.64—the District Board stallions have been
in great demand, and from the many very nice young stock seen by these stallions, there is no doubt they are
doing a great deal towards improving the horse stock of this country.
"In such districts as Hoshiarpur, Umballa, Kurnal, Ferozepore, Multan and Muzafargarh, more of this
class of stallion might very profitably be employed. "
554. I quite recognize that more ponies scattered about the country
would do good, but at the same time I fully recognize that District Boards do
all they can to help us. In all cases in which I have been brought into
contact with these bodies, they have at all times met my wishes as far as their
financial position would allow. Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell should have
stated, with reference to Hazara, that poor as that District Board is they
agreed to purchase a pony, and to pay for its feed and keep from the 1st April.
This they have done, and to assist the district this Department has lent the
district a small Arab to cover small unbranded mares.
Number of stallions
at stud work,
and number of
mares covered.
555. Table D will show that 181 stallions were at work out of 198 on the
various registers. The two preceding years were reckoned to have been most
successful, and I am pleased to be able to report further progress on this
occasion, 9,724 mares having been covered against 8,420 in 1897-98, showing
an increase of 1,304.
556. As our largest pony-breeding centres are in Northern India, I give
below the number of mares covered by District Board or Provincial stallions
for the past three years:—
North-Western Provinces . . . .
North Punjab . . . . . .
South Punjab . . . . . .
1896-97.
2,415
1,899
3,293
7,607
1897-98.
2,939
2,316
2,999
8,254
1898-99.
3,161
2,534
3,312
9,007
The increase is very satisfactory, and must be a reply to those who urge that
mule breeding is supplanting pony breeding.