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make the recommendation that Sirdar Nawab Fateh Ali Khan and others might
be asked to show an example by keeping their young stock and selling it in the
Show, thus giving Remount Officers a chance of purchasing it.
364. It now seems the universal custom to devote any money contributed
for prizes by District Boards to mares covered by their ponies and to their young
stock. No better system could be devised, as these Arab ponies, spread as they
are all over the Punjab, are doing incalculable good, but surely a district like
Lahore might have contributed more than Rs. 50. It is small matters like these
which tend to make a Show unpopular. The mares covered by these ponies are
generally owned by poor men to whom a small prize of Rs. 5 is of great value.
365. The Remount Agent bought two head of young stock, one by a
Thoroughbred English the other by an Arab sire.
Multan Horse
Show.
366. This Show was held on 4th and 5th March 1898. Having known this
Show from its infancy I can speak confidently of the improvement which is taking
place. One of the main points noticeable is that of color. In olden days we saw
few mares but white and roan, these are now the exception, and good whole colors
prevail. Whatever success has been met with in other districts by the use of the
Norfolk Trotter stallion in giving size to the mares, this has not been arrived
at in Multan where this class of stallion does not seem to nick with the mares of
the district. When reporting on the stallions most suitable to this district, the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
In this as in many other districts, the people say they want bigger Arab stallions, and by this they mean
bigger horses of good breeding; everywhere I am told the produce of the English horse is slow and wanting in
staying powers, the result of this is that English horses are condemned by those who have seen more of the Norfolk
Trotter produce than any other, as is the case with the people of this district. The Thoroughbred English horse is
called 'Araby' by the people, but few know the difference between the Arab and the Thoroughbred. Generally
speaking, they know of two classes—the Norfolk Trotter or English and the Arab, the latter including the
Thoroughbred.
The Norfolk Trotter and Hackney strain has been pushed too far and should be now lessened.
367. There was a slight falling off in numbers both in those competing
for prizes and in the total number of animals brought to the Show, the figures
being, respectively, 355 and 853 as compared with 418 and 963 last year. This
is ascribed by the Deputy Commissioner to the fact that many mules that would
have competed for prizes had been sent to Tirah; but, in addition to this, the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, who toured all through this district
during the cold weather, states that the people feared that their animals might be
seized if brought in; owing to this fact, he was able to brand but few mares during
his tour.
368. Although a decided improvement was noticeable on this occasion,
still I am compelled to note that there is room for more in the care bestowed
upon the young stock of this district.
369. Five useful remounts were purchased by the 15th Bengal Lancers
at an average of Rs. 209; this, if I may be allowed to say so, is too low an
average, as undoubtedly some of the best horses were taken away by dealers.
Captain Johnston, who purchased for this regiment, states that he has not attended
a Fair for 5 years, but that he is of opinion that the price of a good 14-3 Country-
bred 4 years old and over, has risen at least Rs. 80 since then. How he can
arrive at this conclusion, seeing that his average was only Rs. 209, I cannot
understand.
370. The Deputy Commissioner adverting to this states:—
The sums Officers are permitted to offer for remounts do not appear sufficient. The fact remains that dealers
are prepared to offer larger sums. It is for Government to say what steps should be taken to remedy this defect.
371. The Committee draw special attention to the good work done by
the District Board ponies in this district in improving the stamp of the ordinary
ponies, but as I purpose dealing with this subject fully hereafter, I shall defer
offering any remarks except to say that I fully agree with their opinion expressed
on this point.
Rawalpindi
Horse Show.
372. This Show was held from 31st March to 2nd April 1898, and was one
of the greatest successes of the year. The number of animals which attended
showed a slight reduction when compared with last year, viz: 2,356 against 2,625,
but this difference consisted of the usual useless animals that attend a big Horse
Show. The number that competed for prizes showed an increase from 623 to 722.
373. The brood mares were one of the great features of the Show. This
class was both numerous—99 competed—and of a good stamp. As described by