5
Stallions which produce
the most suitable stock for
the army.
13. Table V shows that a larger percentage of Norfolk Trotter and Arab
stock was drafted to British Regiments than stock got
by thorough-breds, and that 80 per cent. of thorough-
bred stock was sent to Native Cavalry. This is, I think,
due to the number of old thorough-breds that were in
this Presidency, as it is a well-known fact that stock got by individual horses
after they have arrived at a certain age seldom exceed 14-2 in height. They
were, however, very shapely, well-balanced horses, up to weight, but did not
come up to the standard height required for British Cavalry. The rejections, six
in number, were sold, being under-sized; and it is very gratifying to find that the
general public are quite alive to the merits of horses reared in Government
paddocks, as the very high average of Rs. 501 obtained at public auction, denotes.
(2).—Remounts,
Country-bred.
Number purchased.
14. An abstract from Table VI, showing the number of country-bred
remounts purchased during the past three years, is
given below:—
By whom purchased.
Bombay Native Cavalry ... ... ... ...
Police, Northern Division... ... ... ...
Do. Central
do. ... ... ... ...
Do. Southern do. ... ... ... ...
Do. in Sind ... ... ... ...
Remount Rearing Depôt, Ahmednagar ... ...
Do.
do.
Karnal ... ... ...
Central India Horse ... ... ... ...
Fifth Punjab Cavalry ... ... ... ...
Tenth Bengal Lancers ... ... ... ...
Do. Punjáb
do. ... ... ... ...
First
do. Cavalry ... ... ... ...
Sixteenth Bengal Cavalry ... ... ...
Fifteenth do. Lancers... ... ... ...
Zhob Levy Corps ... ... ... ...
Total ...
1893-94.
276
2
1
...
64
37
16
9
40
16
...
...
...
...
...
461
1894-95.
356
3
10
8
222
57
6
...
...
...
7
10
6
...
...
685
1895-96.
259
6
...
...
143
69
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
3
29
521
There is a decrease of 164 as compared with last year and an increase of 60
over the year before. Fewer horses were purchased by the Sind Police, but a
fair average has been maintained by other corps. There has been a steady
increase, during the past three years, of young stock purchased for the Remount
Rearing Depôt, although greater care is exercised in selecting young stock than
formerly, and anything doubtful is refused. I have every reason to believe that
very nearly the full complement allowed for this Presidency will be obtainable
this year. It is also satisfactory to note that the average height of country-
breds issued from these paddocks to British and Native Cavalry has steadily
increased, and that nearly 50 per cent. of this year's issues was 15 hands and
over. Two very shapely country-breds by thorough-bred sires were issued as
chargers. This is the first season that young stock from Sind have been brought
to this depôt and the results are more than satisfactory. I trust that the
Director, Army Remount Department, will be pleased to continue a system which
promises so well. Out of a total of 521 remounts purchased, 144 are the known
produce of Government sires against 117 last year. It is to be regretted that
the system of checking the produce of Government sires is still very faulty,
although improvement has taken place within the last few years.
B 449—2