71
The mares covered by donkey stallions formed a large and good class and all the mules exhibited at this Show
were bred in the immediate neighbourhood. A great many more mules bred and known to be in the district, were not
brought by their owners for the reasons above stated.
Talhar Horse
Show.
450. This Show was very successful, 823 animals being exhibited against
791 last year. A satisfactory increase considering that all animals were strictly
classified, and that only such as were fit to compete were allowed on the Show
ground.
451. Remarking on this Show, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Bombay, states:—
With 77 mares in foal to Government stallions, 19 young stock sired by Government horses, besides the mares
in foal to donkey stallions, the prospects of this district are distinctly encouraging.
The object of the Show seems to be better understood, certificates of covering and foaling were readily pro-
duced, and mares willingly brought to be branded. Since last year, the stallions have all been placed in charge of
selected zemindars of position and the results have fully justified the course. Two of the stallions 'Spero' and
'Madena' had to be closed before the date of the Show owing to having completed their full complement of mares,
and owing to financial difficulties with the Local Board I was unable to send more stallions, and it is to be hoped that
this difficulty will soon be overcome and the desirable increase of the stallion power sanctioned.
452. The financial difficulties with the Local Boards alluded to by the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, were foreseen by me when consider-
ing the question of taking over horse-breeding in Sind. At present Local Boards
contribute a certain portion of the feed and keep of the stallions, if therefore they
are either unwilling or unable to meet the requirements of a district, development
is at a stand-still, as is evidently the case in Talhar. For this reason I have
recommended that the whole cost of feed and keep should be borne by Imperial
funds, as being the only means whereby development can be assured.
453. The Superintendent Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, describes
the various classes as follows:—
Brood mares (of which 434 were exhibited), very good.
Class I (85 exhibits). All the mares in this class were in foal to Government stallions, showing a great and
rapid improvement on last year, when only 10 mares were exhibited in foal to Government stallions.
Young stock. Very promising, representing the first get of Government stallions in this district.
Remounts. A large and good class, with a very large percentage fit for Police remounts; 17 were purchased
for the Sind police.
Mules and Mule-breeding. The industry has taken root rapidly and promises to flourish. Young mules bred in
the district were exhibited for the first time at the Show and the size and quality of the mares covered by donkey
stallions is very encouraging. In 1895-96, five mules were exhibited and 28 at the present Show. The large and
excellent class of donkeys is also a point worthy of note in this district.
General Remarks. The Show taken throughout was the most successful one ever held. The prejudice against
the brand has gradually been overcome and I think that I may safely say that horse and mule-breeding operations,
which have started so favorably in this district, hold out every promise of success in future.
KATHIAWAR.
Junagad Horse
Show.
454. This Show was held in the State Paddock; 255 animals competed, but
it cannot be looked upon as having been a success. The mares exhibited by
breeders are described as light-boned, old, and very unsound. The young stock
as small, badly grown and suffering from want of liberty.
The Durbar mares and stock are described as good. The latter as well
grown and promising, but the number exhibited is not given.
455. Remarking on the Show held in Kathiawar, Veterinary-Captain Morgan
states:—
The Show taken throughout was not as successful as the one held at Bhavnagar. as the animals exhibited by
breeders were in the majority of cases old and very unsound, the Durbar stock, on the contrary, very promising. There
seems some doubt whether the system inaugurated of holding Shows at the four following places, viz: Rajkot, Junagad,
Wadhwan and Bhavnagar, is likely to be attended with the success that was anticipated and that a return to Rajkot is
to be recommended. It is yet early to form an opinion on this point as only two Shows have been held under the
present system. In the ordinary course of events the next Show will be held at Rajkot and on its success or other-
wise it will be possible to form a more definite opinion.
MADRAS.
Berakai Pony
Show.
456. This Show was held on 6th January 1898. The number of exhibits
was similar to last year, viz: 164 against 169. But whilst it is satisfactory to
note that the number of mares covered by Government stallions within the past
12 months or with foal at foot increased from 50 to 89, still it cannot but be noticed
that there was a great falling off in young stock, viz: from 44 last year to 27 on
this occasion. This no doubt may be accounted for by the famine which prevailed
last year, having caused some owners to sell their young stock.
457. The Committee draw attention to the fact that few ryots go in for mule-
breeding, but there are no means of ascertaining how many of the 89 mares that
competed had been covered by donkey stallions, as both classes, viz: those covered
by ponies and those covered by donkeys, are all lumped together. I shall suggest to