REMOUNTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2831, 4 September 1890, Page 3

REMOUNTS.

On former occasions we have referred to the demand in India tor horses suitable for artillery and cavalry remounts. Aβ we have pointed out in those articles, it is well worthy the consideration of breeders to keep before them this branch of the business, as the prices to be obtained in India for suitable horses for these services ranges from £30 to £50. For any specially good animal there is no limit to prices, as both officers and Indian nabobs «ive high figures for private chargers and showy carriage horses, respectively. In connection with this subject we sub-join an interesting letter kindly placed at our disposal by Mr B. Hewett, of Orakau.:— Lieut.Col. W. Hewett, Southampton. Dear Sir, —Id reply to your question respecting a breed of horses suitable for New Zealand, I can only speak from the experience that has been given me of other countries. The Indinn Office have/three or four years in succession, had a report from their Director of hnrse-breedine, strongly urging the importance of maintaining the supply of Hackney stallions for crossing purposes on the native horses, in consequence of their possessing plenty of bone, good action and endurance. Moreover the natives in the Punjaub district prefer the Hackney stallion to the thoroughbred. At the Cape, as I learn from personal conversation with the Government veterinary, Professor Hutcheon, they have found the continuous use of thoroughbreds, particularly in warm and arid districts, results in the horse stock becoming weedy. This is also the experience of a large breeder in the Orange Free State, who has already exported a Hackney stallion for crossing purposes, while the Cape Government has now, for two years in succession, been large purchasers, taking over, in the first year, 12 and last year 20 Hackney stallions. The Italian Government has had a longer trial, and as it publishes it own official stud book, one can see the lines of breeding more exactly. Down to ISBS, the Government had imported about 100 Hackney stallions, which had been put on thoroughbred mares, and mares having Arab blood. In more recent years they have gone in extensively for buying. In 1887 they took over 12, last year the best part of 20, and this week they have just imported 51. All these are intended for the getting of cavalry horses. Coming to Australia itself, a member of the Hunters' Improvement Society who has just returned, informs ine that he has strongly ndvised Lord Hopetoun, the new Governor of Victoria, to take Jteps for the introduction of Hackney stallions into that country. In Buenos Ayres large numbers of both Hackney stallions and mares are being introduced. In fact, it seems to be becoming more and more the policy to cross the thoroughbred mare with the Hnckney slalliou, with a view to getting action, substance, and staying power. Doubtless the use of similar stock in New Zealand would be quite as advantageous. I regret to aay the society has not yet authorised tiiu to issue any handy manual, sotting forth facts relating to the breed, but I have been recently ureed by American exporters to do so, and 1 propose to ask the authority of the council to piepare such a work. Necessarily that would be deferred till the summer of next year, as the work of issuing the seventh vol. of the Stud Book, with its 1400 entries, and the work in connection with the London Horse Show in the h'rst week of March, will take up all my available time. I would strongly recommend you to visit this shinv, which opens on March 4th, the Hackneys being judged on the second and third days, for here you will see for yourself the stamp of horse nmst in favour.—l am, &c.,'Hknry F. Eubks."