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Demand for
stallions.
53. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states—
"There is a great demand for thorough-bred Australian, thorough-bred English and Arab stallions, but
none for Norfolk trotters nor hackneys. The zemindars now recognize the fact that the progeny show more
quality and are better shaped than those of the Norfolk trotter or hackney classes. They are also aware that
the thorough-bred stock obtain more prizes and fetch higher prices."
54. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states—
"The demand for thorough-breds, whether English or Australian, continues. The zemindar seeks the
services of the thorough-bred in preference to hackneys, Arabs, etc., because he finds their stock the most sought
after, and he realizes high prices by their sale; he also observes what a large prize winner he is."
55. As evidence of the above he states that whilst 21 thorough-breds
covered 1,767 mares, horses of all other classes, numbering 50, covered only
1,979, giving relative percentages of 84.1 and 39.5 per stallion employed.
56. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states—
"Thorough-bred stallions are most popular with zemindars, the Norfolk trotters least so, Arabs are also
popular, and the greatest demand exists for this class of stallion."
57. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan and
Sind, states—
"The thorough-bred English is in most demand, but the Australian sires are running them very close and
becoming more popular."
Referring to Sind, this Officer states—
"Only small Arab sires are required for the pure Sindhi mares."
58. A perusal of the above will show that thorough-breds and Arabs only
are in any request amongst the breeders, and, as I have before said, it is the duty
of this Department to educate them as far as we can, but we cannot force their
hands, and the selection of the class of stallion to which they will put their
mares (being private property) must in a great measure rest with them.
59. Up to date, having had so many classes of stallions, we have not been in
a position to lay down the class of stallion which this Department considers
would be suitable to each individual mare, but by the adoption of the system
described in paragraph 28, we shall now be able to gradually ensure this.
60. Having relieved the country from the hackney stallion, I consider that
our policy should be to ensure at least 2 crosses of Arab blood with every
indigenous mare and then to proceed with thorough-bred strains: if this policy
is persevered with and if the thorough-breds employed are all of good bone
with good backs and loins, I have no hesitation in saying that good remounts
will be forthcoming.
Produce.
61. A reference to Table V will show that 3,695 foals are known to have
been produced by the 15,077 mares covered last year; this gives an average per
stallion employed of 12.19, against 13.20 last year, or 24.5 per cent. of successful
coverings.
62. The results would have been much better had it not been for Baluchistan
and Sind, where the averages amount to only 8.78 and 5.29, respectively. Refer-
ring to Baluchistan, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states—
"These results, I regret to say, are most unsatisfactory, but the prevailing scarcity and famine have
thoroughly disorganized horse-breeding operations throughout the country."
63. There can be no doubt that the results are much better than they appear,
but it was impossible to trace the mares owing to their having been removed
to places where fodder was obtainable.
64. I would draw special attention to the fact that the average of produce per
stallion employed is highest in the Australian class, viz., 15.98. I mention this
as the idea has got abroad that stallions of this class do not fill their marcs.
Country-bred
remounts
purchased.
65. Native Cavalry.—Reference to Table VI will show that 1,613 were pur-
chased for Native Cavalry, against 1,419 last year.
66. The Bengal Cavalry show 1,014 purchased, against 845, and the Punjab
Cavalry 329, against 277 last year. These figures are very satisfactory, especially
as in my opinion, and judging from the many remounts which I saw bought
7