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" During the show, the Remount Officers, the Officer Commanding the 2nd Punjab
Cavalry, and a purchasing officer for Native State Cavalry purchased many extremely
well grown animals. Those obtained by the first mentioned officer were chiefly two
years old by the Thorough-bred English stallion 'Gerald.' This horse seems to get
remarkably fine stock, many of the prize winners being by him.
" Arrangements had been made during the show days for the accommodation and treat-
ment of sick animals, a tent having been pitched at some considerable distance from the
show ground and an enclosure made to prevent other horses from mixing with those under
treatment.
" It would be advisable when framing the rules for horse shows in the future
to define what is meant by a yearling, a two-year old, &c., as at the show under report one
of the Committee maintained that a yearling meant any animal between 1 and 12 months;
another between 6 and 18 months ; another 12 and 24 months."
It has been explained in the rules for the guidance of Judging Committees issued
this year how to classify yearlings and other young stock.
The classes of branded mares and fillies are reported by Mr. Drage to have been a
very large and good class ; the other fillies all very useful and well grown. The British
remounts purchased " should make excellent remounts, chiefly those by Thorough-bred
English " Gerald." All the other classes were considered by him good, except the pony
mares for mule-breeding; and with regard to the satisfactory show of geldings, Mr. Drage
remarks: " Great credit is due to the salutri. Hardly an entire horse in the show. "
A few years ago it was the custom of all horse-breeders in this district to destroy
their young entire horse stock a few days after birth, as they found the keeping
of entire colts irksome; it was suggested by Special Stud Commissioners in 1874 that a
salutri should be provided them, so that their colts might be castrated, and thus the
profits arising from the sale of geldings might be secured to breeders. The results in this
direction, as noted in this report, are most satisfactory, and the chiefs at the recent Dera
Ghazi Khan fair expressed their gratitude to the authorities for having pointed out the
benefits arising from castrating young colts. More are now castrated in this than
in any other district in the Punjab, and great credit is due to the head salutri (Mahomed
Suleman) (originally provided by Special Stud Commissioners) and his assistants for the
zealous manner in which they performed their duties.
In the remarks by purchasing officers on the show with regard to the class of re-
mounts obtained, Captain R. Broome, Army Remount Department, notes: "Quite up
to the average," and with regard to the horses exhibited for sale as compared with other
fairs and with former years, he records: "Undoubtedly the best in the Punjab, and per-
haps superior to former years." He also suggests "that a suitable spot be roped off for
Remount Agents to examine stock in, and that a measuring place be built therein."
Mr. Drage, in concluding his report on the fair, states: "It is greatly to be regretted
that the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Younghusband, is shortly leaving the district, as he
has done an immense amount of good towards horse-breeding."
In Mr. Dames, C.S., who has, since Mr. Drage wrote the above remarks, been
appointed Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan District, the Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment will secure a most hearty co-operator in horse and mule-breeding industries.
Dera Ismail Khan.
This horse show took place from the 26th February to 1st March 1893.
This being the first at which Government have given money toward the prizes, the
number of animals attending was small. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, states: " I think it would be advisable to continue the same amount towards the
prizes, viz., Rs. 250 for one more year, when it will be seen if any improvement has
been made in horse-breeding in the district." He adds : " It is to be regretted that
breeders did not seem to understand the rules of the show, many leaving their young
stock produce certificates at home. I am therefore unable to give the names of sires of
prize winners."
The Director of Land Records and Agriculture (E. B. Francis, Esq., C.S.), in his
letter No. 676 of 20th April 1893 to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department,
kindly notes: " I will request the Deputy Commissioner to arrange, so that next year the
zemindars may bring their certificates, so that the names of sires of prize winners may
be known."
The Deputy Commissioner, L. W. King, Esq., C.S., who takes great interest in horse-
breeding, and is most desirous to develop the industry in the district, in his report
No. 430-148 of 4th April 1893, notes as follows :—
" This fair was only revived last year, when it was held in April, at the time of
the Baisakhi mêla, with fairly successful results, there being 260 animals entered in
attendance.