112
with mule foals at foot were also present. Twenty-five head of young stock were
also inspected, 13 of these were by "Rishan" Arab and were excellent; he
stamps his stock in a most marked manner exactly as does the Arab stallion
"Etah" in the Kapurthala State. I regret that the coverings of horse
stallions have somewhat fallen off this year—125 as against 138. This,
however, was in no way due to any lack of interest, but solely to the fact
that the Arab stallion "Shahsowar" was ill with Bursatti for a long time.
501. Mule breeding has, however, held its own and exactly the same
number—106—were covered this year as were last. I trust even to see
an increase next year as the State has purchased another Cyprian donkey
stallion.
502. Of the 138 mares covered by the horse stallions last year, 90 are
known to have produced foals. I would have been inclined to doubt this
high percentage of successful coverings, had not the foals been produced and
been granted certificates.
503. That the work done by the State must tell in time I feel assured;
even now the results are becoming manifest for, as I have already shown,
three Native Cavalry remounts which took prizes in the Remount Class at
the Jellalabad Horse Show, were by the stallions belonging to the State.
504. The following will show the number of mares covered in Faridkot
by selected State stallions during the past four years: —
1895-96
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
By
Horse stallions.
.
.
.
.
61
98
138
120
By
Donkey stallions.
33
88
106
106
505. Considering that a commencement was only made in 1895-96, I
consider the results to be most satisfactory.
Jhind.
506. This State maintains three Arab stallions and one donkey. They are
posted as follows:—At Sangrur one horse and one donkey, one horse at Dadri,
and another at Jhind.
507. The horse at Dadri having died a small stallion was transferred from
Jhind, but he was not found fit for the mares of that Tehsil, the State therefore
agreed to purchase a good Arab, and this was supplied during the year.
508. In all, 100 mares were covered by the horse and 39 by the donkey
stallions. Mule breeding is improving in this State.
509. A small Fair was held at Jhind at which 165 horse stock competed
for prizes.
Kapurthala.
510. The arrangements in this State are more advanced than that of any
State in the Punjab. Five horses and five donkeys are employed, two of each
being kept at Head-quarters whilst one of each are posted at the Tehsils of
Phugwara, Baluth, and Sultanpur. It is proposed to add a Thoroughbred
Australian to the strength of the horses; this I am delighted to report, for
there are a number of mares, the produce of Arab sires, that are in every way
calculated to throw good foals when crossed with a stallion of that class. One
of the donkeys being old and worn out has been replaced by another one
which has been imported for the State from Cyprus. I visited this State in
November and was delighted with the arrangements. Every mare covered was
supplied with a covering certificate, and it was possible to trace the sire of
every foal produced; in fact our arrangements in districts in British territory
where horse breeding has been carried on for some years, cannot surpass those
existing in this State.
511. During the year under review, 285 mares have been covered by the
horse stallions and 310 by the donkey stallions, showing an increase of 28
and 90 respectively, when compared with last year. Of 212 mares, the
progeny of which can be traced, 89 foals were dropped, giving a percentage
of 42, which is very high. This proves to me what can be done when care is
exercised to see that the mares are in season when they are covered.