The Man Horse Market

Hastings Standard, Issue 325, 18 May 1897, Page 4

The Man Horse Market

NO PROFIT FOR OUTSIDERS. The chances of a successful dealing on the Indian horse market are not what they are cracked up to be, according to a erstwhile Hastings resident who has been employed in the trade for the past seven years, and who is at present in town. The trade is completely overdone and many of the Australian shippers had cause to regret their ill advised ventures last season. No fewer than eight steamers were loaded up, with an average of nearly 500 horses each. All of these were timed to arrive in Calcutta in November, though some of them did not get to their destination until well in December. On the whole the weather was favorable, but one Queensland shipment did not find it so. Sixty horses died on the voyage and the remainder were so much knocked about that 30 of them in the open market only average £4 10s. When the freight of £8 per head is taken into consideration that shipper must have resolved to give the trade up as unprofitable investment. In Calcutta last season there were no fewer than 33 Australian dealers, and there are reasons to suppose that more than half of them were not satisfied with their returns. Only the old hands seem to know what is really required on the market, and the unitiated dealer generally bites his fingers. It is no use taking a horse to India that is not up to the standard in every particular, for when the Government agent has had his pick of the various shipments the remainder go on the open market, and the Eastern buyer always insists on' a maximum value for a minimum cost. Owing to the famine, prices fell considerably, and as dealers could not afford to keep their charges when food was so high they had to unload at any price. Besides the famine had seriously affected the demand, for merchants and others who generally bought from eight to a dozen animals were content with a couple. Government were, however, larger purchasers last year than they have ever been, taking 1321 remounts as against 864 the previous season. As the extra number were required as a reserve, the demand is likely to fall again. The average price given by the Government agent is about £45, but only first-class animals pass this inspection by the vet. Nothing passes under 15.1 and they run up to 16i hands. On arrival at Calcutta the steamer is taken alongside a jetty, substantial staging is thrown aboard, and the horses are marched off in single file. The landing arrangements are first-class, and a steamer can generally be cleared in from four to six hours. The jetty leads down to the Government compound, a huge paddock with accommodation for 1014 horses in kind of loose boxes. On one side is a large swimming tank, which is much appreciated by the Australian walers. After being trimmed up the horses are ready for inspection, and they are taken out on the " ride " for the benefit of the Government agent. An examination is first made for blemishes, then the teeth are inspected, after which the waler is sent out for walking and cantering exercise. Unless the action is good it is passed on and the dealer must treat with the general public. Only the pick of the shipment manage to pass this inspection, so particular is the agent. The dealer who takes up a hundred horses " on spec " is certain to make a mistake, and the pick of Australia is wanted to make a profit. The New Zealand horses are at a disadvantage as they take longer to become acclimatised and the journey is heavier. Our informant is of opinion, however, that New Zealand has gone out of the breed required, having been breeding too fine for the past few years. Our ponies should be able to fiud a market if they are sent direct, though there would not be a great profit as things are at present. In 1891 some ponies were sent up from the Maraekakaho station, and they realised fair prices. On his last trip to Calcutta the Hastings dealer recognised three of these animals in gentlemen's carriages, and they were looking really well. Ponies*about 13.3 are always in fair demand, but they must possess good strength. The native horses are stunted in growth and are generally weeds. Formerly India drew her demand from Arabia, but the Arabs have lost their prestige through in-breeding. The Persian horse is almost off the market, and India now looks to Australia for her supplies. To make the trade pay there must be regulation and it is madness for shippers to put three or four thousand horses on the market at the same time. In Australia next season's shipments are now being prepared, and the work of breaking in the young ones is in full swing. Operations are backward, however, owing to the drought, which might give an opening for New Zealand breeders, but no dealer is advised to rush on to the Indian market without being prepared for a possible heavy reversal. With the proposed opening up of markets with England, Japan, and the Straits Settlement the prospects are brighter this year than last f but the talk of huge profits is a myth. The Eastern dealer knows a horse from a mule, and as was stated before only the pick of the colonies is acceptable. Racehorses fetch good prices as a rule, but even that trade is a risky one.