2
The number of produce per stallion for the Deccan fell off during the year
owing to the smaller number of mares covered last year on account of famine
as already remarked, but the percentage results are satisfactory. In Gujarát,
on the contrary, though the number of coverings effected during 1897-98 was
almost the same as that during 1896-97, the results attained were not satisfac-
tory. The average percentage of produce, however, shows an increase and that
of unknown result a decrease. Forms for the registration of mares and their
produce, as sanctioned by Government Resolution No. 4929, dated 30th July
1898, have been introduced, and it is hoped that greater accuracy in the statistics
of produce will be attained in future.
Relative merits of stallions
as foal-getters.
7. As regards the relative merits of the different classes of stallions as foal-
getters the subjoined statement comparing the average
percentages of known produce to mares covered for
each of the classes shows that the country-bred
horse ranks first, the Arab pony second and Arab horse third, closely followed
by the thorough-bred English, while the Norfolk Trotter and the country-bred
pony occupy the lowest rank. Last year, however, the Norfolk Trotter was in
the first class with the country-bred horse:—
Year.
1893-94 ... ...
1894-95 ... ...
1895-96 ... ...
1896-97 ... ...
1897-98 ... ...
1898-99 ... ...
Average ... ...
PERCENTAGE OF KNOWN PRODUCE TO MARES COVERED PER STALLION.
Thorough-
bred English.
27.0
25.5
26.9
31.7
37.2
33.3
29.7
Norfolk
Trotter.
20.1
18.8
33.7
33.1
40.3
24.7
28.7
Arab
Horse.
22.6
27.1
31.6
28.9
36.7
37.0
30.5
Arab
Pony.
31.2
32.3
37.9
32.8
37.6
37.3
34.9
Country-bred
Horse.
...
...
63.7
45.5
40.7
42.1
49.0
Country¬
bred Pony.
...
...
15.4
37.2
29.6
25.7
27.0
Note:— Figures for 1893-94 to 1897-98 inclusive of Sind.
It has already been decided in consultation with the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department, that the Norfolk Trotter class of stallions should
no longer be allotted to this Presidency as being unsuited for the mares obtain-
able here. As regards the country-bred horse and pony stallions, it should be
noted that the statistics given above relate only to one horse and one pony pur-
chased about the beginning of 1894-95, and the horse was sold as too old in
1897-98 and has not been replaced by another country-bred. Looking to the
very satisfactory results attained, it seems desirable that some stallions of this
class should be procured if possible. Indigenous breeds of good type, if any
such remain, should certainly be allowed a chance of survival. It is believed
by many that country-bred horses of pure breed are far more suited to the re-
quirements of the country than the cross-bred animals now produced. As men-
tioned in paragraph 9 below, a large percentage of the remounts annually pur-
chased for the Native Cavalry and the Police are the produce of country sires.
From paragraph 75 of the report, it will be seen that horse owners in parts
bordering on Káthiáwár strongly object to the branding of their mares and to
the use of Government stallions, as they prefer the Káthi breed. Except, however,
in parts of Káthiáwár it is doubtful whether any pure indigenous breed can now
be found in this Presidency. The so-called country-bred sires and dams have
more or less a strain of Arab or English blood.
Stallions which produce
the most useful stocks for
remounts.
8. Of the 61 remounts inspected at the Ahmednagar Remount Rearing
Depôt, 37 were allotted to British Cavalry and 13 to
Native Cavalry. The 11 animals rejected were sold
by public auction at an average price of Rs. 217. It
is satisfactory to note that, with the exception of 8
only, all the remounts inspected were bred in the Presidency Proper.
From the following statement comparing the percentages of allotments, it
will be seen that, as regards supplying British Cavalry remounts, the Norfolk
Trotter holds the first rank, followed by the thorough-bred English and the Arab:—