61
Jullunder
Horse Show.
352. As usual, a small Horse Show was held on 6th October 1897. This is
a purely local Show at which prizes are given by the District. It appears to have
been better attended this year as 738 horses and ponies, and 31 mules were present.
353. Two horse dealers from Lahore attended, one purchased 20 horses, the
other 40 ponies; the latter were for the Transport Department. In addition to
the above, 29 foals, all of about 6 months of age, were purchased by Bhojpuri
dealers. These were inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, who reports them to have been a promising lot.
354. One of the mules present is reported to have been 3 years of age, and
promised to become very suitable for Ordnance proposes.
355. Some useful mares are reported by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, as having been branded at this Show.
Kurnal Horse
Show.
356. This Show has not been held for two consecutive years on account of
famine, and it is always found that when this is the case there is a perceptible
falling off in the attendance. I am of opinion that whenever scarcity prevails in
a district, strenuous efforts should be made to hold the various Horse Shows,
provided fodder can be made available for the 2 or 3 days during which animals
remain on the Show ground. My reason for this is that the prizes awarded are of
great assistance to the breeders during famine times, and may enable them to tide
over a bad season and thus they are not compelled to sell their mares.
357. Considering, however, that this Show had not been held for 2 years,
it is satisfactory to find that although there was a falling off of 95 animals on the
total attendance, still that only 11 less competed for prizes this year than in 1895,
and it is satisfactory to note that 63 brood mares were exhibited against 36. It is
always a good sign when we can record an increase in this class.
358. The great falling off, however, was in an important class, viz: Branded
Fillies, only 10 competing against 49 in 1895. This is no doubt, in a measure due
to the fact that this district had been too leniently dealt with by the late Superin-
tendent, and it was considered necessary to improve the standard of the fillies
branded. Fifty mares were branded at the Show. Speaking of the class for
'Fillies 3 years of age out of branded mares by Government sires,' the Judging
Committee state:—
This class showed considerable improvement on the previous class, viz: Branded Fillies which was an open one,
i. c. not necessarily out of branded mares or by Government sires. This is satisfactory, showing that the breeding
operations are doing good.
359. The Committee also express an opinion that the young stock generally
is of good color and very fairly sound.
360. They further remark on the absence of Remount Officers, and record
the fact that 6 remounts could have been obtained had purchasers been present.
I shall refrain from offering any remarks on this subject at present, as I purpose
dealing fully with it hereafter.
Lahore Horse
Show.
361. Lahore is undoubtedly one of the districts which best exemplifies
the difficulties experienced in obtaining stock, the produce of Government sires.
In this district are to be found some grand mares and good stallions are employed—
six being Thoroughbreds—still, year by year, we receive the same report, viz:
a poor Fair and no young stock, the reason being that the Lahore district is so
central, and has such great facilities for getting animals away, that every useful
animal is bought up and taken out of the district. All Lahore and Amritsar
dealers buy largely in this district, and many head of young stock are annually
removed by Bhojpuri dealers.
362. We must, however, look further afield to discover the cause which
leads to the want of success obtained at Lahore, and there can, I think, be little
doubt that it is mainly due to the fact that the best breeders of Raewind, Kasur,
and Chunian do not care to bring their mares and young stock into Lahore; they
have a certain market at their own homes, and a visit to the capital of the Province
means expense. One thing is certain that these 3 tehsils possess some of the
finest mares in the Punjab, and still we find only 40 competing in the brood mare
class, many of which are reported as being of a poor stamp.
363. The Committee remark that the show of young stock, by Thoroughbred
stallions at work in the Lahore district is inadequate, and that it would appear
that only unsaleable Norfolk Trotter stock is presented for inspection. They