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658. I feel that it will be better to confine horse and mule breeding to pri-
vate enterprise. Already we have six Tehsils equipped with a horse and donkey
each, and as these are meeting with success, it is hardly necessary to maintain
an expensive establishment with but little prospect of success.
Bhurtpore
659. Of the three States in Eastern Rajputana, Bhurtpore is the only one
that has taken up the question of the improvement of horse stock; in fact, it is
the only one that possesses any big mares. At the same time, I must say that
Kerouli could assist by improving its breed of ponies, many of which I saw in
the hilly country of this State. The country is admirably adapted for any
enterprise of this sort, and mule-breeding could be made a most paying concern
if it were adopted. I am led to make these remarks owing to the fact that the
people of this State are to be met with at nearly every fair, either purchasing
young stock or selling them when old enough to be sold as remounts. Men
with tendencies this way would soon learn the market value of mules, and the
industry, if once started, would soon flourish.
660. Whilst reviewing what had been done last year at Bayana Stud in
the Bhurtpore State, I said that I would not advocate its abolition, but rather
that it should be extended, and that the young stock should be brought up
under the liberty system. This, however, was found impossible, as owing to
the distance at which Bayana is from head-quarters, supervision could not be
exercised. At present, about 20 head of young stock received from Bayana
are in the stables, all bearing undoubtedly signs of being tied up from an early
age.
661. I am aware that I am sometimes blamed for showing too great a
desire to abolish these Home Studs, but I scarcely deserve the blame, for if the
management could only be seen, it would at once be agreed that no practical
value can accrue from their retention. Besides which, most States would not
or could not stand the expense of both systems; the second system alluded to
being that of placing good Arab sires at different centres for the use of the
breeders of the State. This may be described as the general improvement of
the horse stock of the country, and must in time lead to a large number of
horses fit for Army purposes. A zemindar with a foal is likely to look after
him, whereas in the Stud Farms, there is great neglect and general mismanage-
ment. What I do advocate is, that each State that is assisting in horse or mule-
breeding should have a run in which young stock, the produce of the State
stallions, that are bought from the breeders, can be reared; this I have advo-
cated at Bhurtpore, as the land can be obtained close to the stables, whereby
supervision can be assured.
662. It will be remembered that the State commenced last year with three
Arab stallions. These had covered at my visit to the State on 30th January 1897,
111 mares or an average of 37 each, and still the best covering months, Febru-
ary and March, remained, so that we may expect that they will have covered
nearly 50, if not fully that number, by 31st March 1897; this is most encourag-
ing and satisfactory.
663. Mule-breeding has already made a great start, the donkey stallion
having covered 25 mares up to the end of January. Three more Cyprian
donkeys have been acquired by the State, and there is every chance of their
services being utilized.
Jhind
664. "I have stated in former reports how cordially this State has assisted
in the development of horse-breeding in the Tehsils of Jhind and Charkhi
Dadri, which are situated in proximity to the Hissar district, and which are the
only portions of this State's territory in which good mares are to be found.
665. I regret that I was unable to pay a visit to the Council of Regency
during this cold weather, as it has always given me much pleasure to discuss the
prospects of horse-breeding operations with them, but time would not allow of
my doing so this year.
666. With the sanction of the Council, Veterinary Captain Joslen, Super-
intendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, whose circle lies in
close proximity to the Tehsils of this State, which are interested in horse-breed
ing, paid them a visit, and in his report, states :—
"At Charkhi Dadri I inspected 45, of which 34 were fit for horse-breeding."