HORSE’S FUTURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1938, Page 9

HORSE’S FUTURE

BEING PUSHED OFF LAND. A gloomy view of the future as far as farm horses are concerned is expressed by an Edinburgh (Scotland) correspondent of the “Otago Daily Times” in a review of horse breeding and management in Scotland during 1937. The one bright spot was the brisk export trade in Clydesdales. Owing to the high costs of labour and the scarcity of skilled men horses are being pushed off the land, he writes. Fewer and fewer are being bred. The tractor and other mechanical power are covering what was regarded as the preserves of horses only a few short years ago. It is plain that with young men racing off the land the number of horses will go on decreasing. But horses will take a long time before they are finally scrapped. Fifteen years ago in Scotland there were 211,769 horses; in 1937 the number dropped to 145,980. Grass sickness has soured many farmers from breeding foals. Last year this scourge was less serious than 1936. The export trade last year was one of the briskest for several years. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are our best customers. Later on this year it is expected a considerable number of Clydesdales will be shipped to our dominions.