32
175. With such facts before me, I consider that it would have been a very
retrograde movement to have agreed to the proposal to allow this show to he held
alternately at Jhelum and Gujrat.
176. A small show will be held at Jhelum as well as Gujrat.
Hansi Horse
Show.
177. This show was held from 13th to 15th October 1893, and, being only
the second occasion on which it was held, it must be looked upon as satis-
factory.
178. Seven hundred and ninety animals attended the fair as compared
with 414 last year, showing an increase of 376.
179. Thirty-three horses were purchased as remounts, whilst only 15
were obtained last year.
180. The Deputy Commissioner reports as follows:—
The good prices offered for remounts and the liberality of the prizes have made the fair
attractive and given an impetus to the spirit of horse-breeding in the district. This, as yet,
is only in its infancy. I am glad to say that the zemindars appear to be beginning to realize
that it is a profitable business.
The number of branded mares, as compared with the number which might be in a
district containing such excellent pasturage, is small. The fact is that the indigenous mare
is too small to be branded. To raise the standard of the indigenous mares, the District
Board has invested in several Arab ponies which are standing in different parts of the district
to cover mares of all description, free of charge.
The next step will be to induce zemindars to take to having their colts castrated.
From what I saw of the purchases made by the Remount officers and the prices paid,
I have come to the conclusion that Government should never purchase grey horses as
sires. The primary object of the large expenditure on horse-breeding operations is presum-
ably to enable Government to obtain suitable remounts for the army. I notice that many
Remount officers absolutely refuse to purchase grey or white horses, whilst others purchase
them only at a price considerably lower than they are prepared to pay for a horse of
another colour of the same stamp hence I consider that in supplying grey or white stallions
Government is doing an injustice to its own interests as well as to those of the breeders.
181. This question is now receiving the attention of Government. I quite
agree with the remarks of the Deputy Commissioner. If it is decided that
grey horses are not to find a place in the ranks of our Native Cavalry, then we
must refrain from purchasing grey stallions. Not only shall we lose many a
good Arab sire by so doing, but the Native Cavalry will lose some of the very
best horses that the country can produce.
182. Of the 33 horses previously mentioned as having been purchased as
remounts, 7 were bought by the Remount Agent. Two of the officers of the
Native Cavalry attending report as follows:—
Better and greater number than 1892, but is still a small fair, though prospects are
improving.
183. I feel certain that if the horse-breeding industry of Hansi and Hissar
is carefully fostered for a few years, we shall obtain a large number of remounts
from this tract of country, containing, as it does, such good pasturage. That
the people are commencing to take an interest in the matter is clearly shown
by the Deputy Commissioner's report and also from the fact that 54 mares
were branded at the show.
184. I can only hope that successive Deputy Commissioners will take the
same warm interest in the matter as has been done by Mr. P. Thompson, to
whom the thanks of the Civil Veterinary Department are due for the manner
in which he has assisted in the development of this show.
Jallalabad
Horse Show.
185. This show was held from 16th to 18th January 1894, and as being
one of the most promising horse shows and markets in Northern India, I feel
compelled to furnish lengthened extracts from reports received from Rai Maya
Dass, Extra-Assistant Commissioner, Ferozepore, and from the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab.
The former states:—
That 5,054 horses, etc., were present against 3,970 last year. Of these the large number
of 2,334 belonged to breeders; also that 121 competed for prizes against 81 in 1893.