THE DECREASE IN HORSES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10059, 2 June 1910, Page 7

THE DECREASE IN HORSES.

The decrease in the stock of horses in England has for some time engaged the earnest attention of those closely interested, and sufficient facts and figures can be given to show that the matter has assumed an aspect of serious national importance. from both the sporting and the military standpoint. Up till less than a decade aco there were many incentives tnat there no longer exist, or are fast becoming a thing of the past, for the rearing of a good horse. The decline in demand can largely be traced to the very general adoption of the self-moving vehicle. But for racing, hunting, and polo the horse must always remain the moving factor, and the chief hope now centred in a young animal of the lighter breeds is that it will make a mount for one of these purposes. I

In days gone by the animal of a heavier class might make a good carriage horse; or in case the development wan not such as to justify expectations there was always the doctor's brougham, the cab, 'bus, van, or some other commercial vehicle which the disappointing otic could be sold for. But ot late, with the advance of mechanical transport, and the lact that the military powers that be have allowed t l :e Army to pile up a deficiency of some 30,000 horses, there has been little inducement to face the risks incidental to rearing young stock. In London alone the decrease of horses between 3907 and 1908 was over 12,000, and, including Buch towns as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the towns of England with a population of over 100,000, the decrease throughout would total over 150,000. A Royal Commission on the subject, with the Duke of Portland. Lord Coventry, Sir W. Gilbey, and others, as members, has been sitting at frequent intervals for some years, arid has reported in strong terms upon the absolute necessity for immediate action,'but so far without any good results. A few extracts from thesa reports will suffice to show that the gravity of the situation has been realised. The Commission has pointed out "that private enterprise formerly was sufficient to keep horses in this country, hut that the Haras established in various countries on the Continent have created a severe drain upon, our resources. It is a matter of common notoriety that year after year England is swept by agents of foreign Governments for stallions and mares." Later, in 1908, the same Commissioners reported: "The funds placeu at our disposal are quite inadequate for either retaining mares or sires. This we have pointed out at six different times." France, Germany, Italy, and Austria are all spending nearly half a million each annually on horsebreeding, , whereas England is not spending £SOOO per year on it. Lord Carlingford called a conference on teh subject in July, 1906, and in 1907 the Brood Mare Society also urged that measures bs taken, but all to no purpose. Ireland, which for many years was looked upon as a chief sentre of supply, is fast fusing its position in this re3pec.t Last year there were 35.000 horses exported from the Emerald Isle. Of these, over 10,000 went abroad to swell the resources of foreign armies. Of the number, 7500 were four and five-year-old mares, and of the remainder more than half were mares of various ages. All the best mothers, in fact, are leaving the country, and the stock is not being kept up. This can be very clearly seen by any ODe who will visit the various fairs, not not only in Ireland, but in any of the three kingdoms. Among plans to save the situalion, it might be suggested that the Government should establish breed ing farms of their own; also that al cast-off Army mares not physical)] unsound should De kept for breedinj purposes, any surplus over and abovi what the Government farms could maintain being farmed out on terms i fair to all concerned. The stud premiums, alsn, should be increased., and organised on different lines. The .Royal Commission have drawn attention to the fpet that as at present constituted these are not a success. There are some 300 packs of hounds in England, Scotland,' and Ireland, .which cost over a million to maintain, in addition to what the followers spend. Racing also circulates millions yearly. In 3908 the stakes alone accounted for £502,987. So that the maintenance of the horse, from a sporting point of view alone, is moßt important.