28
General remarks on
Punjab Horse
Shows abovemen-
tioned.
187. Thirteen mules were purchased:—one by Remount Department, 1 by
Native Cavalry and 11 by the Commissariat Department.
188. I cannot but allude to the success met with at the 7 Fairs which I
have considered it necessary to review. Notwithstanding the great scarcity
which has existed and which has necessitated the removal of stock to such
places where fodder was obtainable, the number of young stock paraded was
equal to that of last year and the quality was better.
Again, 549 Native Cavalry remounts were purchased at these 7 Fairs
against 341 last year.
BALUCHISTAN.
Quetta Horse Show
189. Owing to the prevalence of glanders at Quetta this show was held at
Bostan. It was feared that this fact combined with the scarcity which has
existed in Baluchistan would have tended to reduce the number of horses
attending this Fair; this, however, was not the case as will be found by the
following statistics which refer to locally bred stock only:—
1897-98
1898-99
1899-1900
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
. 399
. 506
. 538
190. The most gratifying feature of the Show was the largely increased
supply of District bred remounts and the marked improvement in them.
Ninety-one competed for prizes as against 32 last year. Remarking on this
point, the officer who purchased for the 19th Bengal Lancers, states:—
"The horses bought were, with only one exception, bred in the district. They were I think a far better
stamp than one generally sees in the Punjab."
191. Remarking on the Northern Horse Trade, of which Quetta may be said
to be the centre, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, remarks:—
"As previously reported, through the many and various obstructions to the trade enforced by the Amir
of Afghanistan the number of trans-frontier horses attending the Fair was far less than usual—vide the follow-
ing details:—
1895.
900
1896.
950
1897.
996
1898.
673
1899.
271
"But in connection with this trade I am glad to be able to report that two Peshin dealers, Sayad Hayat
and Sayad Sarwar, arrived during the Fair with a batch of 52 horses, all in good condition having marched
from Meshed viâ the Seistan-Nushki route. I was informed by these men that they had been 50 days on the
road, that they experienced no difficulties and that they intended coming that way in future. Asked as to
taxation, they informed me they only had to pay 5 per cent. on purchase money on leaving Persian territory.
I sincerely hope this successful journey will again revive and stimulate the trans-frontier trade, as the question
of limiting this source of supply is one that very closely affects horse-breeding in Baluchistan, for remounts
must be had, and if not available in sufficient quantities the result is that owing to enhanced prices many
young mares and fillies which would otherwise be kept for breeding find their way into the ranks and the
dealers' hands."
With these remarks I fully concur and I regretted to see so many well
bred fillies being bought amongst the locally bred stock. The average price
paid for Native Cavalry remounts was R285.
Sibi Horse Show.
192. The Remount Agent obtained 12 head of stock.
193. As I have before pointed out, this is not a remount Fair and it must be
looked upon entirely as a breeders' Show. This is not fully recognized by the
Remount Officers who remark on the few remounts obtainable, still it is
pleasing to learn that 32 were purchased, of which 19 were known to be locally
bred.
This Show suffered materially from the prevailing scarcity, still the quality
of the stock exhibited was fully maintained.
194. The Remount Agent purchased a good batch of 9 young stock which
were sired by the following classes of stallions:—
Thoroughbred Australian
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thoroughbred English
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hackuey
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Arab
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Unknown.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Total .
5
1
1
1
1
9