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248. This officer concludes his report by saying:—
The horse show has shewn that the Shahpur District has kept up the reputation
of being one of the best horse-breeding districts in the Punjab.
249. This is fully borne out by the fact that 145 brood-mares and 33
branded fillies competed for prizes.
250. There was a good show of mules, of which 65 were exhibited. The
Judging Committee reports them to have been, well cared for. There were,
however, very few up to the standard of mountain artillery. Three, however,
were bought for this purpose at an average of Rs. 273.
251. Thirteen remounts were purchased by the Remount officer and 15
for Native Cavalry.
252. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
remarks with reference to the brood-mares:—
The majority of these were big-boned, roomy mares by Norfolk Trotters, which should
certainly now be put to thoroughbred English or Arabs. Of course there were several mares
wanting in substance which it would be advisable to mate with Norfolk Trotters. I have now
stationed in the district 4 thoroughbred English, 2 Arabs, one countrybred, and 2 Trotters;
if these horses are allowed to remain for a few years, I think the quality of the stock will
gradually be improved.
Sialkot Horse
Show.
253. This show was held from 24th February to 3rd March 1894; and as,
in nearly every case, the Deputy Commissioner complains of the dates on
which it was held, asking that it should in future be held towards the end of
March. Every district asks the same, and I need not point out that if their
requests were acceded to, the results would be disastrous, not only to the
breeders, but also to the service, as it would limit the number of fairs which
could be attended by the Remount officers. I shall endeavour to induce some
of the districts to hold their shows in November and December.
254. The numbers of animals present rose from 318 to 358, whilst 14 more
competed for prizes than in 1893.
255. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
reports as follows:—
I was able to brand 11 useful animals during the three days I remained in Sialkot—one
filly by Brocken, Thorough bred English, is quite the best animal I have ever branded. It is
pleasing to note that 6 out of the 11 animals branded were by Government stallions, viz., 1
thorough bred English, 4 Norfolk Trotters, and one Arab.
256. This is at present a small show, but evidently there is good material
in the district which leads me to think that with a little encouragement it
will develop.
Umballa Horse
Show.
257. This show was held from 12th to 15th February 1804 and compares
very unfavorably with that of 1893.
258. The numbers that attended fell from 974 to 465, whilst only 163
competed against 211 in the previous year.
259. The Deputy Commissioner accounts for the falling off as follows:—
(1) That the horses and mares of a very large number of zemindars in the district were
on Khawid.
(2) Uncertain weather. The date which we had asked the Inspector-General, Civil
Veterinary Department, to fix was one about the middle of March, but we were
asked to agree to a date in February.
260. He further adds:—
The fair is as yet in its infancy and people require to be pushed to make them bring
their animals to the fair. There is a very large number of young stock in the district, and
if all these could be got into the fair, plenty of remounts could be purchased. High prices
were given for remounts this year, and it is hoped that this will tempt zemindars to bring
their young stock into future fairs instead of disposing of them to dealers.
261. I can only express a hope that this will be realised. I would
greatly regret to find that the good work performed by Mr. Gladstone, the late
Deputy Commissioner, was thrown away. It requires much encouragement,
but with this, Umballa should develop into a 1st-class horse-breeding district.
262. It possesses more District Board and Court of Wards' stallions than
any other in the Punjab, and with the help of these we should in a few years
obtain a large number of mares fit to be served by the Imperial stallions.