59
Gujrat Horse
Show.
328. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department reports this Show as
disappointing. He attributes this to the fact that this district has suffered from
scarcity more than any district in his Circle, and owing to this many good mares
and foals died or were sold.
329. Again, Gujrat appears a favorite district for dealers who purchased 208
before the Show commenced, amongst these were some good young stock and many
young mares which the district could ill afford to lose.
330. The actual number present, when compared with last year, showed an
increase of 132, and the number that competed for prizes was 290 in 1897 against
320 on this occasion. This is easily accounted by the large purchases made by the
Lahore and Amritsar dealers before the Show commenced.
331. The brood mares are spoken of by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, as being big roomy mares, but he adds that there was a noticeable
difference between the mares, of this district and those of Shahpur. Norfolk Trotter
blood being much more noticeable at Gujrat. The branded fillies are also spoken
of as being rather coarse and short of quality.
332. The Judging Committee remark that the prize winners amongst the
young stock were largely got by Thoroughbred or Arab stallions, and showed an
improvement on the brood mare class.
333. This is one of the districts in which Norfolk Trotter or Hackney strains
have been allowed to continue too long.
334. Eight remounts, or more exactly speaking, 6 remounts and 2 head
of young stock, were purchased by the Queen's Own Corps of Guides. Four
were bought for Police and one remount, 5 years of age, was secured by the
Army Remount Department. It is satisfactory to find that of these 13, nine
were by Government sires. Although the number purchased is small, still there
can be no doubt but that many of those purchased by the dealers will ultimately
find their way into the ranks of the Native Cavalry.
Hansi Horse
Show.
335. Nothing can be said in favor of this Show except that the animals
exhibited were few and bad. Only 111 animals in all competed for prizes. The
mares were in bad condition, and the young stock was small, ill-grown, and
badly tended. The mules were so badly nourished that they are never likely to
be fit for Government service. Three remounts were purchased. No medal was
awarded.
336. On reading the above description of any Show, one would be in-
clined to say that it should be abolished, but we must consider the severe famine
which has prevailed in Hissar during the two past years, and it is to be hoped
that now that scarcity has disappeared, horse-breeding will revive.
Jellalabad
Horse Show.
337. This Show was held from 17th to 19th January 1898, and
considering the scarcity which has prevailed, it must be considered as having proved
a success, as not only were there slight increases in the numbers attending and com-
peting, but the animals also were in good condition, 2,597 were present against
2,469 last year, of these 281 competed for prizes against 257 in 1897. The
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
As compared with last year there was an improvement in the quality and stamp of each class competing for
prizes.
338. The branded mares' class showed some very nice mares suitable in
every way for breeding remounts. The mares with foals at foot, of which 13
competed, were, with 4 exceptions, small and light, but they had some promising
foals at foot by "Snuff" T. B. E. and "Phenomenon" N. T. The branded
fillies made up in quality what they lacked in numbers. They were a particularly
nice lot of fillies and one by "Glenstræ" T. B. E. was very greatly admired.
The young stock, generally speaking, showed great promise. I have attended
this Show for the past 4 years and can confidently assert that the improvement
in the quality of the stock is most noticeable.
339. Twenty-four remounts were obtained. This is an increase on last
year when only 16 were purchased. Three of the prize winners in this class were
very handsome and serviceable horses, and the remainder were good useful animals.
340. One of the most noticeable features of this Show is the way in which
the District Board stallions are improving the horse stock of the country. Covering