58
Committee and the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, report the
stamp of mares kept for mule-breeding as being good, I hope in time, with the
help of good donkey stallions, to be able to produce a few mules fit for ordnance
purposes.
325. I cannot conclude my review of this show without conveying to
Captain Burlton, the Deputy Commissioner of this district, the best thanks of
this Department for his endeavours to maintain the interest in horse-breeding
which was revived by his predecessor Captain Douglas, as well as for his
promise of help in future. In his report he states:—
"The stallions we have got now, especially Villejuste, are most popular, and as soon as the building of Lyall-
pur Tehsil is finished, I contemplate purchasing an Arab pony for that tehsil, and of asking for a Government
stallion as soon as I know how many branded mares there are in that tehsil."
326. I can only add that it will give this Department the greatest pleasure
in meeting any requisition it may receive from the Deputy Commissioner for an
extra stallion, and I can promise that one likely to please the breeders will be
supplied.
Jhelum Horse
Show.
327. This show, held on 23rd and 24th October 1896, cannot be looked
upon as having been a success; last year I considered it as only fairly successful.
The reason to which this want of success is due is not explained by the Deputy
Commissioner in his report. Scarcity can scarcely account for the fact that in
a district where horse and mule-breeding are so popular, only 304 animals
should compete for prizes; some other reason must exist. The Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"I regret to say that the show was disappointing in most respects, the animals competing being fewer, in
worse condition, and less promising than last year."
328. This is the second year, for twelve years, that a Horse Show has been
held in this district, and unless an improvement takes place, it will be a matter
for consideration whether it is advisable to continue holding a show at all.
329. Two points that strike me very forcibly are, that in such a good horse-
breeding centre, only one District Board stallion should be maintained, and
that no prizes were offered to stock by this stallion. I alluded to these
subjects in last year's report.
330. Three mules were bought by the 19th Bengal Lancers, and two head
of stock by the Stud Farm of the Guides Cavalry were purchased.
Jullunder Horse
Show.
331. As usual, a small Horse Show was held at Jullunder from 12th to
20th October 1896; it is reported to have been better than last year. Two
hundred and ninteen horses and mares over 14 hands were present, whilst 463
ponies and 48 mules attended. The sum of R300 was awarded to the equine
stock.
Kapurthala
Horse Show.
332. In connection with horse and mule-breeding carried on in this State,
a Show has been held during the past two years. At this year's Show, held on
26th and 27th February 1897, the sum of R565 was awarded as prizes by the
State for horse stock.
333. Being unable to attend this Show myself, Veterinary Captain Joslen,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, was present, and reports as
follows:—
"The horse and mule stock present numbered 252 as compared with 297 last year. This small
difference is no doubt due to prevailing scarcity. In the class for yearling colts and fillies by Government and
State sires, 35 competed, and in the class for fillies two years old, 50 competed.
"The prize-winners in these two classes were a most promising well grown lot, and there were some useful,
looking animals among the remainder. There were some very nice branded and unbranded mares in the Show,
and some most excellent young stock.
"The State horses and donkey stallionss were looking very well, a list of them showing the number covered
by each, proves that each horse and donkey stallion covered an average of 67 mares. I am of opinion that there
is sufficient work for another stallion.
"Of the produce of the State stallions, not many are to be seen as yet, but what there are, are very
good ; two of them took prizes in the first class, and in the second class, the 1st prize-winner was by a State
stallion."
The above report must be considered most satisfactory, adding, as it must
do, to the increase in the horse stock of the country.