128
stallions had served their full number of mares, and as their services were still required, a fee of one rupee per
mare was fixed for each one served by a Provincial stallion in excess of 50."
693. The advisability of charging any fees is to my mind very doubtful.
I fear it will lead to the Provincial ponies becoming unpopular, as the idea is
sure to get abroad that fees are always to be charged, and I fear that this
system will lead to extortion. I would much prefer that the matter should be
left to the discretion of the Superintendent, as is done in the case of Impe-
rial stallions. In the latter case, when a horse has covered his full comple-
ment, a full report of the condition and vigour of the horse is submitted to me
by the Superintendent, and I then issue orders that his covering is to be
stopped, or that he may cover an extra 10 or 20 mares, the number being
regulated by his condition, etc. This duty might be relegated to the Superin-
tendent; the Local Government will be addressed on this subject.
694. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states, with reference to the demand for District Board stallions:—
"The services of the pony stallions are in great demand wherever they stand, and it is to be regretted that
the funds of nearly all District Boards are so low that they will not admit of more being purchased; for, though
so lately established, the results are even now becoming apparent and are most satisfactory. Arab ponies of
good caste are frequently to be picked up when broken down by racing or polo for a small sum; it is not,
however, the initial cost which is the drawback, but the recurring expenditure of feed and keep. I am pleased
to say that Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat both purchased one each, as in frontier districts they are specially
required, there being many small-sized mares.
"Hazara and Bannu are now the only two districts in which there is not at least one pony stallion
maintained.
"Speaking generally, every district could employ several more ponies according to its extent, and their
services would be fully appreciated and utilized."
I trust that when the funds of the various District Boards have recovered
from the great strain imposed upon them by the prevailing scarcity, that
attention will be paid to this important subject.
695. I agree with the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North Punjab, in thinking that the initial expense of a pony need not be con-
sidered; if a pony is bought young, he should do an average of ten years' work
in a district; two or three hundred rupees in his intial cost is therefore of
small matter, and this difference will lead to infinitely better results. I agree
with him also to a certain extent as regards broken-down racing and polo
ponies; they are occasionally to be found, but frequently those offered for
sale are not such as would make good ponies for the Stud; besides which, it is
frequently found that those that have had it greatly taken out of them on the
turf are not vigorous and prove bad foal-getters.
696. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states :—
" More ponies could be employed in the Jullunder, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Gurdaspur districts. In
the Jullunder district, most of the horses are small, and when I was touring through it, zemindars complained
that there were no District Board stallions for the small mares I refused to brand, as there were in other
districts, The Deputy Commissioner has, however, since purchased one at a small price. It is a pity a little
more money was not given so that a good stallion could have been purchased. In the Dera Ghazi Khan district
there are a great many Baluch mares. This is a well known distinct class of mare, very well bred, active, full
of quality, and staying power. A great many of these are small and suitable for good pony stallions. More of
them might be utilized with great advantage in this district."
It will be seen that there is still room for improvement in this direction,
but I think that this Department is to be congratulated in having secured
the co-operation of the District Boards even to the extent it has, considering
the great strain imposed on their funds during the past year.
Number of stal-
lions
at stud
work,
and
number of mares
covered.
697. Table D (page lxxxiv) will show that 159 stallions were employed;
at stud work out of the 170 shown as being on the Register at the end of
the year.
698. Last year the number of mares covered by these stallions showed
the large increase of 2,745 over the number covered in 1894-95; it was only
to be expected that this year, owing to the unfavourable circumstances
which have existed, a corresponding decrease would have been shown. I am,
however, pleased to state that such is not the case, the number of mares
covered being, it may be said, identically the same.