68
410. But what was short in quantity was made up for in quality, for it
would be impossible to wish for better stock: in fact, during my tour, which
extends to all our best breeding centres in India, I do not see any stock that,
in my opinion, are as good as that bred in Baluchistan. I know I am leaving
myself open to question on this subject, as some of the stock bred in the old
established districts of Dera Ghazi Khan, Shahpur, Rawalpindi, etc., may show
more quality; but, for size, bone, and good, clean legs, I do not think any
of the above named districts can lay claim to as good stock.
411. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, remarks as
follows on this subject:—
"Many of the mares and young stock, although powerful and well grown, are undoubtedly overtopped
with heavy shoulders and short necks, showing too much of the Trotter blood; this, however, will, I think, be
fsoon rectified, owing to the careful selection of stallions which, for the last two years, has been specially made
or these mares."
412. The Superintendent also brought to my notice that some of the
stock by Arab sires was undoubtedly bad, but, as stated in my last Annual
Administration Report, I do not consider that it is the fault of the Arab as
a class, but rather is this due to the fact that inferior stallions of this class
have hitherto been employed. Last year, I ordered one to be destroyed
and one to be castrated and sold; this year, two were ordered to be destroyed,
one to be castrated and sold, and one to be transferred to the Punjab where
he is likely to nick better with the mares than with those of Baluchistan.
Another Arab, that was not up to the standard of mares kept for breeding
with Imperial stallions, was ordered to be kept to cover small unbranded mares
in Zhob, there being no District Board stallions kept in Baluchistan.
413. I trust that the action I have taken to get rid of worthless stallions,
the reduction in the number of Hackneys and Norfolk Trotters, and the
careful selection of good Arabs and Thoroughbred English and Australians,
will soon have the desired effect, and that the faults now noticeable will soon
be rectified.
414. The thoroughbred is undoubtedly the sire that suits the mares of
this part of India the best. In the prize list we find that stock by the follow-
ing classes of stallions won prizes, as follows:—
7 Thoroughbred English
10 Hackneys . .
26 Arabs . . .
. .
. .
. .
Prizes.
. 39 including
. 47
„
. 82
„
1st.
7
3
5
2nd.
7
2
6
3rd.
3
4
6
In considering these figures, we must bear in mind that 3 of the 7
Thoroughbreds only cover 30 mares each, as they only stand in Baluchistan
for the hot weather, and are then transferred to Sind for the cold; the
superiority of this class of stallion is therefore most marked.
415. On the subject of the class of stallions required for Baluchistan, the
Agent to the Governor General states:—
"From what I saw of the show I am of opinion that there has of late years been too large an infusion of
Norfolk Trotter blood in Baluchistan. Many of the young stock are heavy shouldered and short necked, and
the old, long, low well-bred and wiry type of Baluch mares, which was so useful in the hills has almost dis-
appeared. I believe the officers of the Civil Veterinary Department are fully alive to the advisability of selecting
in future more thoroughbred English and Arab stallions for Baluchistan, and gradually no doubt the defects
noticed will be remedied."
416. I agree with the remarks of the Agent to the Governor General, and
already have reduced the number of Norfolk Trotter and Hackney stallions in
Baluchistan; the percentage employed in that Province being 14 against 34
for the whole Department.
417. On the subject of remounts, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, remarks:—
"As reported last year, this show was again practically ignored by purchasing officers. The dealer, Alam
Sher, from Lahore was present and purchased thirty useful animals, many of which will, I presume, find their
way into the ranks of Native Cavalry. No remounts were bought for Native Cavalry and the complaints of
there being no purchaser, as reported last year, were again heard, and many of the breeders and dealers left the
show ground before its termination. A class of 31 three-year old geldings entered the ring, many of which
appeared to the Judges to be most promising Native Cavalry remounts.
"Only six head of young stock were purchased by the Remount Agent for the Kurnal Depôt, although
many others were available."