48
the great horse markets of the North-Western Provinces. It is therefore very
disappointing to find that only one Native Cavalry Regiment—the Central India
Horse—was represented. The Remount Department purchased 4 head of stock,
the Central India Horse 8 remounts, the Police Department 21, whilst the
Bhopal Imperial Service Lancers obtained 16, besides which 32 were bought for
that State. Sixty-one ponies were obtained for the Jeypore and Gwalior
Transport Trains.
202. The undue amount of Norfolk Trotter blood in this district is
very forcibly brought to notice by the Committee. Amongst the 1st, 2nd, and
3rd prize winners, we find the stock to have been by the following classes of
stallions:—
Thoroughbred Australians . . . . . .
Thoroughbred English . . . . . .
Hackneys . . . . . .
Arabs . . . . . .
11
11
8
3
The superiority therefore of the thoroughbred stock is most marked.
203. Meerut has one objection,—it is the last Fair held in the North-
Western Provinces: there is therefore a lot of unsoundness to be found amongst
the horses exhibited, as all rejections from other Fairs are brought here in the
hope of the owners being able to sell them. Purchasers attending this Fair have
therefore to exercise great caution.
Muzaffarnagar
Horse Show.
204. This Show was held from 13th to 18th March 1899. The total
attendance was 833 against 756 last year. Of these, 463 were the property
of breeders against 350 last year. The increase in the number of zemindari
stock is hopeful. The number of animals that competed for prizes was 374
against 251 last year, showing an increase of 123.
205. In this district, like in so many others in the North-Western
Provinces, the Hackney or Norfolk Trotter strain has been pushed too far.
On this point, Veterinary-Major Ringe states:—
"There is not the slightest doubt that the young stock presented at this Fair exhibited the many faults
which accrue from the persistent introduction and continuance of the Norfolk Trotter. Since I have taken up
the appointment of Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, of these Provinces, I have taken every
advantage, as opportunities have occurred, of removing this class of stallion and have introduced the
Thoroughbred Australian, Thoroughbred English, and the Arab classes. And I hope that with the introduc-
tion of this fresh and better class of animal, considerable improvement will be noted in the young stock within
the next few years.
"At present the class of young stock shown compels me to concur with the remarks made by Captain
Alexander that 'the Norfolk Trotter has been overdone', and 'they all show the worst faults of this class of
stallion in a very marked degree' .
"I am well aware that the promoters and advocates of the Norfolk Trotter say he gives the
country-breds barrel, size, bone, feet and substance; but any one who has seen the result cannot deny that it
gives a hairy heeled, straight shouldered, short pasterned, underbred animal, quite unfit for riding purposes and
without speed or staying powers. The bone that is given is of bad quality, the feet are soft and cannot stand
the concussion which is necessarily brought about by short pasterns and straight shoulders.
"According to the new arrangement, the strength of the respective classes of stallions in the Muzaffar-
nagar district is as follows:—
Thoroughbred English . . . . . . .
Thoroughbred Australian . . . . . .
Arabs . . . . . . . . . .
4
2
6
206. Captain Alexander, Remount Agent, also remarks as follows:—
"The young stock offered for sale were quite unsuitable for Army purposes, being light in bone, tied in
below the knee, with very upright pasterns, very small feet, etc.: in fact the Norfolk Trotter has been over-
done, there being now 3, 4, and even 5 strains of him in the young stock and they all show the worst faults
of this class of stallion in a very marked degree. This is now being remedied, and I am informed all Nor-
folk Trotters have been withdrawn from this district."
207. There were no British or Native Officers from Native Cavalry
Regiments present, and no remounts were purchased. This is to be regretted,
as it drives the breeders to sell their young stock to dealers.
PUNJAB.
Amritsar (Dewali)
Fair.
208. This Fair was held from 8th to 17th November 1898. This being
the great horse market of the Punjab, I purpose entering into many questions
which it naturally presents. A total of 5,289 equine stock was present
against 5,188 last year, showing an increase of 101. The number actually sold
also showed an increase from 1,889 to 1,975.