110
578. This concludes the review of what may be considered the horse-breed-
ing districts of Central Provinces. The prospects may be summed up as
follows :—
Damoh—Horse stallion, doubtful.
A donkey stallion might be tried.
Saugor—Work for two horses and two donkeys.
Narsinghpur—Work for one horse.
A donkey stallion might be tried.
579. As regards horse-breeding in other districts, Veterinary Lieutenant
Trydell states that 95,000 horses and ponies are said to exist in the Central
Provinces, but that the majority of these are under 13 hands, and are totally
unfit for breeding purposes; they appear to be totally uncared for, ill-condi-
tioned, and malformed, and exist upon what they can pick up outside the
villages. Amongst these, however, there must be many that would throw
a decent mule, and Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell's attention might be drawn
to this fact. I purpose addressing the Chief Commissioner on this and other
subjects connected with the horse and mule-breeding subject as affecting the
Central Provinces.
580. On the question of the suitability of the Central Provinces for horse-
breeding operations, Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell states :—
"I am quite of opinion that the climate and localities of most of the places visited by me on tour are good
for horses. Whilst in Saugor, I requested one of the officers of the 14th Bengal Lancers to show me their
paddocks in which they keep their remounts until they are old enough to be broken in. Captain Taylor was
kind enough to do this, and to explain their system of management. I was much struck with their healthy
appearance."
581. I cannot close this short review of horse and mule-breeding operations
in the Central Provinces, without bringing to notice the good work done by
Mr. Trydell. Only a young officer, just appointed to this Department and
therefore not acquainted with the work, arrived in the Central Provinces to
find that famine was raging. He therefore could not obtain that assistance
from district officials which I feel confident he would have received had these
officers not been so hard worked on matters connected with famine; still, not
daunted by this, he set to work with great determination, and has succeeded in
collecting a large amount of useful information. I might mention that this
officer, on first appointment, spent three months in camp and in the offices of the
Assistant to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, and the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and
Oudh, and was therefore able to get some idea of what was expected of him.
I would like to see every young officer, on first appointment, go through a pro-
bationary training as he did, feeling, as I do, that it would lead to excellent
results.
Horse-breeding
in Central India.
582. For some years past it has been a great question whether it was
advisable to keep stallions in Central India. The Officer Commanding, Central
India Horse, was frequently addressed and always advocated a further trial;
this was given, as it was felt that it was a great pity to abolish any horse-
breeding stand if there was any chance of ultimate success.
583. A decision has been arrived at this year. In a letter to the Officer
Commanding, 1st Regiment, Central India Horse, stationed at Agar, I pointed
out that this year would prove worse than any former years, and asked him to
favour me with his opinion. In reply, he informed me that there was no
chance of any improvement, and recommended that the stallions should be
removed. The Officer Commanding, 2nd Regiment, Central India Horse,
stationed at Goonah, in reply to a similar letter addressed to him, says :—
"This being a year of famine in Central India, every industry, including horse-breeding, has suffered
in these parts, and the figures showing the results of the horse-breeding operations during the previous
12 months are below the average.
"The Government stallions at Goonah are much appreciated by the owners of mares in this district, and in
recent years there has been sufficient work for one stallion. I would suggest, therefore, that the number of
stallions at Goonah be reduced from two to one.
"The Goonah district is well suited for horse-breeding operations, grass being abundant and cheap, and the
country being suited for rearing horses. The great impediment is the poverty of the people, and the
deficiency of breeding stock."
584. In future, therefore, one horse stallion will be kept at Goonah, none
at Agar. At the former place the Officer Commanding, 2nd Regiment, Central