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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1897—98.
PART II—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
Horse and pony
stallions
belonging to
District
Boards, &c.
743. Table A. will show the number of district horse and pony stallions at
the commencement of the year, the increase and decrease and the balance
remaining on 31st March 1898.
744. In addition to the class of stallion kept, Table A. for the first time
shows the numbers kept by Provincial Governments, District Boards, Courts of
Ward and private persons.
745. Eighty-four (84) horses were at work against 89 last year, and 87
ponies against 81, making a total of 171 against 170.
746. The increase, though small, is in my opinion most satisfactory. The
year through which we have just passed has been one that would have been likely
to reduce the number, it is therefore pleasing to note that the number has more
than been maintained.
Casualites.
747. Table B. will show the death rate. It is higher than last year
amounting as it does to 10 against 6 in 1896-97.
Sales.
748. The sales also were greater, amounting to 9 against 3 last year.
The casualties amounting as they do from all causes to 19 against 9 last
year, combined with the fact that the total number has been more than maintained,
will show the interest taken in this important matter by District Boards and
others.
Demand for
Provincial and
District Board
stallions.
749. The demand for Provincial and District Board stallions is much greater
than the supply in the North-Western Provinces, whilst in the Punjab, owing to
the many calls on District Boards which have arisen owing to famine, the
development of this most useful adjunct to Imperial horse-breeding has not been
as great as I would have liked. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—
On the 31st March 1897, thirty-four applications for Provincial stallions remained uncomplied with. Seven
applications were received during the year; four stands remain vacant, thus there are 45 applicants' names on the
register and of these 6 were complied with, leaving 39 applications uncomplied with at the end of the year. That
these applications have not been complied with is J think greatly to be regretted, but until the Provincial
Government sanctions a sufficient amount of money for the purchase of stallions this cannot be done, the result being
that Provincial horse-breeding will suffer to a very considerable extent, and the progress of the Department absolutely
barred. This was stated by me in my letter No 554 M. dated 18th March 1898, in which I pointed out that this was
the second year in which no funds had been sanctioned for the purchase of stallions and asked that the Government
should be applied to reconsider their decision.
750. I am well aware that this Government has found it impossible during
the past two years to provide money for the purchase of Provincial stallions, but
I sincerely trust that during the current year it will find itself in a position to allot
sufficient money to provide a certain number of the stallions for which applications
have been received.
751. On the subject of the popularity of these stallions, this Officer
states:—
The Arab pony stallions of about 14 hands still continue to increase in popularity every day with the
zemindars and owners of mares. The applications made, and unfortunately uncomplied with, will prove this beyond a
doubt. The provincial stallions are ready coverers and sure foal getters and the zemindars are now ,able to see that
the stock got by them are superior in height. make and shape to foals by a country-bred or grasscutter's tat; they are
also aware that the improvement noticeable in the produce of these stallions means more money to them.