63
RAJPUTANA.
371. Two fairs are held annually in Ajmere-Merwara, and this year they
were both visited by Veterinary Captain Hagger.
(AJMERE-MERWARA).
Pokhur Horse
Fair.
372. Held from 16th to 20th November 1896, was quite up to the average,
for although there were 253 less horses than last year, the number present was
greater than any of the previous five years 1889-94. The sales were greater
than usual, averaging 32.82 against 27.86 sold during the preceding year.
373. The class of horse brought now to the Pokhur Fair is not what it
used to be when the Local Cavalry Corps and the Central India Horse used to
obtain a large number of remounts. On this occasion, there were very few
horses suitable for Army purposes, although there was a fair number of pro-
mising young stock. No Remount Officers were present; but five very useful
remounts were obtained for Police.
374. No prizes were awarded from Imperial Funds, but the Ajmere Dis-
trict Board contributed R600. Colonel Thornton, Commissioner, Ajmere-
Merwara, in distributing the prizes remarked that this was the first occasion on
which stock by Imperial stallions had competed as a separate class. This young
stock also competed in Class VI.—Fillies, open, and the three prizes were
carried off by them; the Committee stating that they were superior in every
way to the young stock by country-bred sires.
Tezaji Fair.
375. This fair was held at Beawar in September 1896 and calls for no
remarks. It is entirely in its infancy as far as anything, worthy of description
as horses, is concerned.
376. Only 59 animals attended, and these were mainly ekka ponies.
One point brought forward by Veterinary Captain Hagger was, that a few
mares with foals at foot by the Arab pony stallion, which was purchased by
the Beawar Municipality some 18 months ago, competed for prizes. I am
pleased to find that the zemindars are availing themselves of this horse's
services, and if they continue to do so, a great improvement may in time be
expected.
Jeypore Horse
Fair.
377. The review on this Horse Fair has hitherto been included, as Ulwar
was, in the section devoted to Native States, but I consider it more advisable
to put it in its proper place amongst the ordinary fairs held in India from
which remounts are obtained.
378. The number of animals attending was about the same as last year.
This fair might be made a very useful one if the State would adopt the system
generally in force at other fairs, but at present everything is rather in a
state of chaos, and arrangements are such that they are not likely to attract
purchasing officers. On this point, Veterinary Captain Hagger states:—
"Owners made their own arrangements regarding the picketting of their animals and no system of arranging
the horses into classes was adopted."
379. Again, with reference to the judging for the prizes, amounting to
R1,500, given by the Durbar, he says:—
"There is no system of judging as we understand it, but merely a Committee of two or three leading
men of the State who award prizes to the fattest and best 'tamasha' horses shown."
380. As the State has taken horse-breeding up in earnest, and has located
really good Arabs in different centres, I trust that in time the State will see
the advisability of adopting the system in force at other fairs.
381. Only one regiment sent a remount party; they were able to obtain
14 remounts at an average of R250 apiece. They were a very useful and
cheap lot. In addition to these, 70 horses were bought for State Risalas, at an
average of R150.
But to my mind one of the most noticeable features was the good class of
transport pony to be purchased at this fair. Eighteen were bought for Jey-
pore, 25 for Jodhpur, and 16 for Indore, making a total of 59.