3
The progress made in Baluchistan augurs well for this Province; but
Bombay with an average of only 34.45 must be considered the most unsatis-
factory of all. I trust that the sanction which has been accorded for unbrand-
ed mares to be allowed the use of Government stallions when selected by Dis-
trict Officers will have the effect of increasing the average considerably.
Demand for
stallions.
14. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Pro-
vinces and Oudh, reports as follows:—
The demand for stallions of the Hackney type remains steady in the districts of the
Meerut Division, and I could have utilized the services of 10 more if they had been available.
In the other districts of the North-West, with one or two exceptions, the stallions required
were of the lighter class, thoroughbred English and Arabs, to suit the smaller class of mares.
15. The Superintendent, South Punjab, states:—
The demand for Imperial stallions in South Punjab is very little greater than the actual
supply. There are, however, many complaints against several of the horses; some having
been said to be bad coverers, others bad foal getters. Ten stallions are over 17 years, while
one is 23 years old.
16. The Superintendent, North Punjab, states:—
With regard to future supply of horse stallions, at present there are 95 shown on the
register of this office including the unallotted stallions standing in the depôt. Fifty three
stallions were at work during the year. This number is quite inadequate to meet the require-
ments
*
*
*
*
Seventeen more stallions are required
during the coming year, but this number will, I feel sure, have to be increased next year.
Of these, this officer says that 10 thoroughbred English, 5 Arabs and 2
Australians would best suit his districts; and, with reference to the class of stal-
lions best suited to the northern districts of the Punjab, he reports as follows:-
From the last 12 months' covering returns it will be seen that nearly in every district
the thoroughbred English is preferred to any other class of horse. I am therefore anxious to
increase the number of this class of stallion, especially so, as I am convinced from my two years'
experience in horse-breeding that the thoroughbred English, if he is a big-boned horse with
short back and good shoulders, is by far the best stud animal for the North Punjab. I have
most carefully examined and noted the young stock at shows, also those brought for my in-
spection in the districts, together with the young stock in the Hapur Remount Depôt, and the
more I see of them the more I am convinced that the thoroughbred English is the stallion par
excellence for the North Punjab.
Next to the thoroughbred English I would place the high caste Arab, of course provid-
ing he is big enough; the small 14-1 Arab, although he may be an extremely well-bred one,
cannot naturally be expected to get stock big or strong enough to carry a Dragoon or Lancer
weighing in marching order 18 to 19 stone, but Arabs of the stamp of "Esau III," "Parwana,"
or "Ferhan," are eminently suited to get big strong weight-carrying troop horses. Stock by the
first and last-named of these Arabs I have personally inspected; they all showed size and
quality and looked like growing into valuable horses.
Of the thoroughbred Australian I am not in a position to give any very definite opi-
nion, as I have seen very few of their stock, but what few I have seen were certainly above
the average, especially those by 'Manfred' and 'Ashanti.'
I have of course seen some extremely useful horses sired by Norfolk Trotters; but, con-
sidering the number now located for stud work in the North Punjab, this is only to be expect-
ed. The question arises does the Norfolk Trotter produce average as high as the thorough-
bred English? I personally think they do not; at the same time mares sired by Norfolk Trot-
ters, as a rule, seem to throw excellent foals when mated to thoroughbred English or Arabs,
but I think the time has come when the number of Norfolk Trotters could well be reduced and
in their place big high classed Arabs, or strong, big-boned thoroughbred English, be supplied.
17. The opinion of the Superintendent, South Punjab, on the class of stal-
lion required differs, however, from the above. He states:-
As far as my experience carries me, I am decidedly of opinion that young stock, the
produce of Norfolk Trotter and Roadster stallions, are best fitted for remounts for British
Cavalry at all events.
While attending the various horse fairs and shows in this Circle during last cold wea-
ther, the number of young stock by thoroughbred English stallions which turned to be
weedy leggy animals, was considerable.
Such conformation of course means want of endurance and defective action points not
at all desirable in animals, that are required as cavalry remounts.
Young stock by thoroughbred English sires, suitable for remount purposes are of course
found, but the number is small in proportion to those the stock of Norfolk Trotter sires.
18. This only confirms that which has so often been stated that, owing to
the marked differences which exist in the mares of the various districts, every