20
"During the show days, I was able to brand 49 mares, all of which were strong, useful
animals, and should mate well with the stallions now located in the district. I take thus
opportunity of recommending that, as the covering returns are so exceptionally good, the
stallions now in the district remain there for a period of five years each horse. This
arrangement, I know, would please not only the large zemindars of the district, but also
Mr. Wilson, the Deputy Commissioner, who takes the greatest possible interest in horse-
breeding."
Mr. Lewis mentions: "Altogether 34 remounts were purchased at the fair. No mules
were purchased actually by Government officers, but some were purchased by dealers
with the intention of re-selling to Government, Ten ponies were also bought for the Imperial
Service Troops. Many more remounts and mules would have been sold at the fair but
for the number of purchases made just previously in the district. Also, as far as the
mules are concerned, the price offered by the Commissariat Officer was insufficient.
Breeders can obtain more than Rs. 150 from grain dealers in the district.
"The Veterinary Officers present had no complaints to make about the arrangement
and general management of the fair.
"For the future three days should be allotted for this fair, and, if possible, arrange-
ments should be made for its being held either before or after the Ramzan, as nearly all
the breeders are Mahomedans. This fair should be put at least on the same level as
those of Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan in the matter of prizes.
"In this district, where there is a good breed of country-bred, it might be worth while
to offer prizes for stock by stallions other than those belonging to Government."
It is now in the proceedings that District Board prizes for country-breds only may be
awarded.
I was present at this show, and can fully endorse all that has been noted by the Deputy
Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
The horses of this district are generally very superior, and the Deputy Commissioner
(Mr. Wilson) and his assistants, and most of the maliks in the district, take a great interest
in horse and mule-breeding, and are rightly proud of the excellent brood stock that they
possess. The Civil Veterinary Department can always depend on receiving thorough co-
operation and all help from Mr Wilson, his assistants, and the breeders in furthering the
horse-breeding interests of Shahpur.
Sialkot Horse
how.
This exhibition, called the "Balaki Ber Horse Show," took place at Sialkot on the
16th and 17th of March 1893.
The Deputy Commissioner (Major J. A. L. Montgomery), in his full report, records as
follows: "The number of animals that were brought to the show and those that competed
for prizes during the year 1893 as compared with 1891 are as follows:—
Horses ... ...
Mules ... ...
Donkeys ... ...
TOTAL
NUMBER OF ANIMALS PRESENT.
1891.
550
43
57
650
1893.
273
29
16
318
Difference.
277
14
41
332
NUMBER OF ANIMALS COMPETING FOR PRIZES.
1891.
140
19
17
176
1893.
156
18
5
179
Difference.
16
1
12
3
"No fair was held during 1892 on account of the prevalence of cholera in the Sialkot
and neighbouring districts.
"As there was always an element of uncertainty about the fair owing to its being
held at a time of the year when cholera and fever are generally prevalent, which often
rendered it necessary to stop the fair at the last moment, causing much inconvenience
to the public and cattle-dealers, the District Board applied to have the time for
holding it changed to March. The sanction of Government to this proposal was
received so late that there was not sufficient time to make the alteration in dates known
to the people residing in distant districts, which accounts for the small number of animals
that have attended the fair this year. It is hoped that next year there will be a much
larger show of horses as well as cattle.