54
247. No remounts were available for purchase. It will be my duty to
recommend to the Local Government that this Show be either discontinued or
that the prizes be strictly confined to mares covered by either Imperial or
District Board stallions and their progeny. This, by being able to increase the
value of the prizes, might possibly have the desired effect.
Gujranwalla Horse
Show.
248. This is quite a local gathering; no Imperial money is awarded in
prizes. It is, however, pleasing to note that the Deputy Commissioner, and
through him the District Board, take the lively interest in the development of
horse and mule breeding that they do. This local Show has been held in
abeyance for the last three years, and little was expected on this occasion.
249. There appears to be a great possibility of improvement and develop-
ment in the Khangah Tehsil, the new colonization area, from which centre 100
mares were presented for branding. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, reports that they were not good, but that he took a liberal view
of the matter and branded below the standard. In all, 49 mares were branded.
It is frequently necessary to lower the standard in a new area; by placing a
good Arab to mate with these mares, it is astonishing even in the first genera-
tion how the stock improves.
250. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, reports the stock
got by the District Board ponies as very good, but I regret to see that mule-
breeding is not much appreciated. This matter will receive the attention of
Veterinary-Lieutenant Trydell.
Gujrat Horse
Show.
251. This Show was held on 27th and 28th March 1899, and although
when judged by actual numbers there was a certain falling off, still the Show
was a success. Seven hundred and thirty attended against 878 last year, and
200 competed for prizes against 218.
252. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, again brings to
notice the preponderance of Norfolk Trotter blood in the mares, but adds:—
"We have now four first class Thoroughbred English, and in three or four years I feel sure that a very
different standard will be reached. No better blood could be desired than 'Oleander' by 'Isonomy,' 'Lynwood'
by 'Galopin,' and 'Bean Masque' sire of a very nice class of horse with a beautiful temper which he transmits
to his stock is again standing in the district. All these will cross well with the mares exhibited, which had a
very fair amount of substance but lacked quality and good bone. Besides the above three horses, a very fine
Arab is standing at Kharian—a horse bound to produce a proper stamp of remount up to weight."
253. The Judging Committee report the young stock on the whole as
good. They further report that 37 mules competed, and that some were good
enough for Ordnance purposes but none were bought.
254. The Army Remount Department purchased two head of young stock
which were described by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, as
very good, especially one by "Roslin" T.B.E., out of a mare by "Glenstrae"
T.B.E.
255. The Queen's Own Corps of Guides purchased 2 remounts and 8 head
of young stock; of these, 5 were by "Roslin" T.B.E.,—a good stockgetter.
256. The Commissariat Department purchased four mules and the Kashmir
Durbar purchased four baggage ones.
257. The total sales were 274, representing a value of R25,872. If we
deduct all Military purchases, amounting to 12 horses and 7 mules, we find
that 255 animals, representing a value of R23,217, were purchased by private
individuals. I bring these points to notice in order to show the extent to which
dealers purchase at the Shows.
Hansi Horse
Show.
258. This Show was held from 19th to 21st October 1898. In last year's
review I reported very unfavourably of this Show; still, as I then pointed out,
the district of Hissar had gone through a terrible famine and I then expressed a
hope that horse-breeding would revive. I was, however, scarcely prepared for
so sudden and marked an improvement as took place during the past year. The
number of animals present amounted to 1,230 against 638 last year, whilst 211
competed for prizes against 61.