14
84. I still adhere to the opinion which I have previously expressed that the
basis of our operations for the improvement of indigenous stock must be Arab
blood, that in some districts where mares require size, the Hackney is absolutely
necessary, but that having gained the size required, good boned Thoroughbreds are
likely to obtain more stock for British and in fact for Native Cavalry also, than
any other class of sire that can be used.
85. Table V. furnished as usual by the Director, Army Remount Depart-
ment, shows that the following were the results obtained at each of the Rearing
Depôts:—
Issued to |
Issued to |
Unclassed. |
Sold as unfit |
Total. |
||
Hapur |
... |
238 |
300 |
89 |
79 |
706 |
Ahmednagar |
... |
40 |
... |
... |
7 |
47 |
Total ... |
278 |
300 |
89 |
86 |
753 |
86. If we exclude the 89 returned as unclassed, which term is not quite
understood, but which I presume to allude to undersized horses issued to the
Reserve Mountain Battery, we find that at Hapur 238 were found fit for British
Cavalry out of a total of 706, giving a percentage of 33.71. This, however, is a
question which refers to the Remount Department more than to the Civil
Veterinary Department.
87. The following table, however, is of value as being instructive as to the
class of stallion most suitable to get stock fit for British Cavalry:—
Issued to |
Issued to |
Sold as unfit |
Unclassed. |
Total. |
|
Norfolk Trotters, Hackneys and |
85 |
66 |
19 |
7 |
177 |
Thoroughbred English |
60 |
62 |
17 |
14 |
153 |
Arabs ... ... ... |
33 |
27 |
9 |
12 |
81 |
Australians ... |
6 |
2 |
... |
... |
8 |
Persians |
1 |
2 |
... |
1 |
4 |
Country-breds ... ... |
1 |
... |
... |
... |
1 |
Unknown |
92 |
141 |
41 |
55 |
329 |
Total ... |
278 |
300 |
86 |
89 |
753 |
88. The above is very instructive. The Norfolk Trotter heads the list,
following closely by Thoroughbred English and Arabs. The Australians show
excellent results although I would not as yet claim for them the first place which
they would obtain if we went by percentages drawn from the above table.
Although it is hazardous to prophecy in matters connected with horse-breeding,
still I feel convinced that as the stock got by this class of stallion increases in
India, so will success in the purchase of young stock correspondingly increase.