63
are kept in lots according to age and sex, and have frequent change of pastur-
age. There are no fences around the fields. When the stock are grazing,
mounted (Csikos) herdsmen are in charge to prevent their straying off
their allotted portion of grazing. All this is done in a most methodical and
quiet way. The stock are from their infancy well trained, and thus are as
easily kept in order as sheep.
12. The forty yearling fillies are very promising. All in good condition
and evidently doing well in every respect. The 50 two-year old and 44 three-
year old fillies are of great bulk, proving that with liberty and liberal feeding,
especially green diet, the pure bred and half-bred Arab will grow into large,
well boned, and bulky stock.
13. The colts, 41 yearlings and 52 two-year olds, are likewise in the best
of condition, and of large size in bone of limb. Colts not considered likely to
prove fit for stud purposes are castrated early in life, generally when about
12 or 13 months of age. The reason why early castration is adopted is that a
case occurred of a 14-month old colt having been found desirous of covering
mares.
14. The number of stallions at stud in this depôt for the serving of 150
brood mares, also for private mares outside the stud, is at present 7 (seven).
They are a very good lot, and are proving good stock-getters. One of the best
Arab stallions that belonged to this stud was "Yusuf." His stock is excellent,
and it was only last year that on account of age he was disposed of and sent
to Roumania. The most castey stallion at present here is "O. Bajan" (Obeyan),
a dark brown nearly black Asil to look at, but rather light in joints and bone;
still many of his stock are good in these particulars, and this result is doubt-
less secured by mating him with large boned mares. This horse was imported
from Arabia. I was informed that several Arabs have proved indifferent
stock-getters, and have been discarded: moreover, that some of the very best
looking Arabs have not proved the best stock-getters; but it has been found
that a really good Arab—a true Asil Arab—is the most impressible stock-
getter as regards general appearance, shape, and disposition of produce.
15. The 37 three-year old entire colts are, of course, stabled and have
regular exercise, being ridden morning and evening by the soldiers attached to
the depôt. Several of them are quite suited for Indian Government stud
work, possessing, as they do, well boned limbs and good girths and barrels,
more especially the half-bred ones, owning pedigrees of half-bred Arab blood
for several generations, thus rendering them pure half-breds. In the event
of any purchases being desired by the Indian Government, it will be advisable
to exercise care in the examination of the hocks of the stock.
16. The climate, soil, and water of the Babona Stud lands are evidently
well suited for Arab horse-breeding, for the stock bred increases in height,
bulk, and bone, and the quality of the animal does not seem to be affected.
I was informed that the stock are generally very healthy and the mortality,
at a low figure, that spavins and ring-bones are seldom met with, and only
sound sires and dams are bred from.
17. Many points with regard to interior economy of the stud and the
strength of the establishment which were brought to my notice have been
recorded in the interesting report on horse-breeding in Hungary by Colonel
Douglas Dawson, and therefore I need not reiterate them.
18. As I had to return to India within three months of the date of my
departure from Bombay, having taken a three months return ticket by the
Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer, I had not time to visit the studs of
Fogaras, Mezzohegyes, and Kisber; but from what I have gathered this month
in conversation with Herr Stockinger, who possesses full knowledge regarding
the Government Studs of Hungary, there can be no doubt that suitable stallions
for India may be also found in Fogaras and Mezzohegyes. Therefore should
the Government of India decide to send next year an officer to purchase,
he should be instructed to visit all the studs, and to select in his opinion
the best stallions found in each of the class and to the number required. To
perform this duty properly, two or three months should be allowed in