HORSE-BREEDING IN FRANCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1312, 15 December 1911, Page 10

HORSE-BREEDING IN FRANCE.

THE PREMIUM SYSTEM. The French Government concerns itself chiefly, in connection with the assistance which it renders to tho horse-breeding industry,: with the stallions retained for breeding purposes. In France all horses that stand for service must pass an examination as to soundness before' Government' inspectors, and must be officially accepted, after which they receive the mark of a star upon, their neck. The-re-jected ones are branded with an "R," ai:d may not be used for breeding purposes. Stallions doomed.especially worthy are termed "approved," and receive subsidies ranging from SOfl to. COD francs; • These, in I'JU7, numbered ICO3, and served 82,738 mares. ■•■ Other stallions accepted, but not deemed of more than ordinary merit are termed "authorised," and receive no subsidy. In 1!I07. t.hero'wero of these 185, and they served-!I7JG mares. - In all cases a horse is required to serve 50 mares to. obtain a premium. After the season a servieo record of mares Ms forwarded to the Department, and, after foaling, a record of the foals is given. For draught horses, the service fee varies from 15 to .25 francs. Becauso of the subsidy, therefore, farmers, are able to obtain tho Use of the best horses at very moderate rates.

The encouragement given, through the premium system, to tho possession of liigl: class sires has materially affected the quality ami individuality of the horses bred in the district, and "the principle of tho system has been one rather widely adopted in various European countries. *